Page 63 of You and Me, For Real
“I need to talk to Ashton first.” I clench my jaw, unsure about these two worlds—two women—colliding, nervous it will crash and burn in my face.
“But you will? All I ask is that you try to come.” She leans in on her tiptoes and kisses me on the cheek. “I’ll text you all the specifics. It’ll be great, okay?” She squeezes my bicep before walking toward the door.
I shake my head in frustration with myself. With such casual touches in private, will Ashton even believe our relationship together is a mere publicity stunt?
Through the window, I study Scarlet talking animatedly to Ashton in the living room. Ashton’s soft smile nearly makes my chest ache with need. The need to tell her. I have to tell her how I feel, regardless of the stupid NDA and its consequences. If we’re going to have a real chance at growing closer, she should know the truth.
I breeze inside to save her from Scarlet’s chatter.
“I’ll send Griffin the details and he can let you know about everything.” Scarlet turns to me, her face beaming—a complete one-eighty to how she acted when I first entered the room.
I’m not sure if that should please me or make me nervous.
Scarlet kisses me on the cheek.
My eyes immediately go to Ashton’s. But she’s turned away, her ponytail still swinging as though she’s whipped her head away from us.
Scarlet walks around the couch toward the front door. “Bye, guys. Griffin, I’ll text you later. Hope to see you at the party this Saturday.”
“See ya, Scar.” I wave and stand in front of the couch facing Ashton.
Luke blows out a breath, his arms spread wide, his hands resting against the countertop. He raises his eyebrows as if to say, good luck navigatingthisparticular situation. Then he busies himself unloading the dishwasher, no sweat off his back.
Thanks for the moral support, bud.
I turn my gaze toward Ashton and soak in the sight of her sprawled across my couch. Both legs rest on an elevated cushion, her back leaning against the arm rest. The tension in my shoulder blades releases. The view of her resting on my couch brings me a new comfort I can’t quite identify.
“I’m so sorry about that.” I squat next to the couch, savoring her soft floral scent, hoping it lingers after she’s gone. “How are you feeling?” I pet Teddy, who happily breathes into my face, his tongue hanging out.
“I’ve been better.”
I smile. “I bet. Is there anything I can get you?”
“Luke set me up pretty well here, and I took some Advil while you were talking to Scarlet. If I can get some of the pain to subside, I’ll get out of your hair.”
“I don’t think so.” I gesture to her right foot. “You can’t drive with that. And even if I did agree to let you leave, I’d be driving you home.”
“Home? Yeah. Right.” Tears well in her eyes. She turns away, biting her lip.
“Hey. Hey.” I gently turn her face back to me. “What’s going on?”
She brings her gaze back to mine, her chin wobbling. “I can’t go home.”
I stiffen. “Why?”
“My neighbor—Judith—she kept getting sick. This whole time I thought it was allergies. Come to find out there’s a mold infestation.”
“Is your neighbor okay?”
“She’s still in the hospital getting treated, but the doctors say she’ll be okay.”
“That’s good at least. Can the mold be treated?”
“They’re not sure yet. They had to evacuate the building. We don’t know when or if we’ll be allowed to return.”
“What about your stuff?” I grab the Kleenex box off my side table and pull out a tissue, handing it to her.
She dabs the corners of her eyes. “They said we could put it in storage, but they’re not sure if it’s contaminated.”
