Page 28 of Naughty & Nice

“Oh, great,” someone says behind us. “Hi. I’m Jonathan. I’m taking some publicity photos for the Times-Dispatch. Could I get a shot of you together?”

I start to make my exit, certain that Ashley and Martin are enough celebrities for this photo op, when I’m instantly crushed against a wall of muscle. Hot, sweaty muscle. And not the good kind I had the other night.

“Oh, that’s perfect. On the count of three. One, two-” The camera shutter snaps, and I immediately pull away from Martin before he gets any crazy ideas.

“Nice to see you, Ashley. I’m going to hit the ladies’ room,” I say as I look for any excuse to exit. Wiping my hands on what little material was used to make these shorts, I shudder.Guess he’s as slimy on the outside as he is on the inside.I abhor cheaters. They’re the last two people I’d want to spend time with here. I wish I’d bailed on this gig and stayed with Trevor and his friends.

CHAPTER22

Trevor

“Ava,I have to say, everything Mick said about you was spot on. You’re as sweet as you are smart and beautiful.” I’d only seen Ava from a distance when living in Hanover. But her gentle disposition only further magnifies her beauty. Slapping him on the shoulder, I add, “You lucked out, man.”

“Oh, Mick. You never told me Trevor was so adorable. I think I know just the girl-”

“Don’t even bother, Ava. This guy has completely rejected the idea of a relationship. I don’t think he’s quite at Zach’s level. But unless you have a hot friend looking for a quickie…”

“Who said it had to be quick?” I interject. “Besides. As much as I tried to fight it, I think I fell for someone here.” I can’t control my grin as Ava claps and Michael’s mouth springs open in shock.

“Yeah, yeah.” I acknowledge his stunned expression.

“When were you going to spill?” he asks.

“There’s not a lot to tell. It’s very new. She’s a beautiful fireball. She works at the local bakery.”

“Oh, I wish we could’ve met her,” Ava croons.

“She said it was too soon. I think she was trying to be respectful of my time with the two of you. I’m not used to a girl who doesn’t make every get-together all about her.”

“Ashley?” Michael asks with a wince.

“I take it she was the cause of the self-imposed moratorium on women?”

“Oh, he didn’t have a moratorium on women. Just relationships,” Mick says, pulling his fiancée into his side before kissing her.

“Ah.” She giggles.

“Come on, I wasn’t that bad. Besides, I wasn’t sure how long it’d be before I had another date. There aren’t that many women here.”

Ava pulls the lasagna from the oven she’s generously prepared. One whiff, and I’m instantly missing my mother’s home-cooked meals. “Well, it sounds like you found one. What’s she look like?”

“Me.”

“Poor girl.” Mick chuckles.

“She’s tall with dark hair and big blue eyes. But it’s more than her looks. She’s down to earth. She’s not always ‘on’ like Ashley was,” I say, putting air quotes around the word on. “Hell. I was so captivated by Ashley’s looks I never realized how shallow she was. She’s the complete opposite of Addison.”

“Ashley is the Carlson’s ring girl,” Mick whispers to Ava.

Her eyes immediately dart in my direction, but she’s cool. There isn’t the usual shocked expression. Just the slightest hint of congenial sympathy. As if acknowledging my past with renewed understanding. “I knew Ashley. Growing up, I mean. She and I competed in a lot of the same teen beauty pageants. I wish I’d known you before you met her. I could’ve warned you. Ashley’s only loyalty is to Ashley.”

“Yeah. Where were you? I had to find that out the hard way. At least I know what to avoid from now on.”

“Well, I’m happy for you, Trev. I was worried she’d done such a number on you that you’d end up like me. I went years without taking a chance. When you meet the right one, it’s worth the risk of getting hurt again.”

I look over to see Ava coughing as if she’s pretending to choke behind her fit of giggles, covering her mouth with the palm of her hand.

“Okay, okay. So I was a chicken shit. Ava put me through my paces when I wouldn’t man up. Lord help you if your Addison’s like that.”

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