Page 26 of Don't Hate Me
I clenched my teeth together, but decided it would be better to get it over with now.
“Of course,” I said tightly.
As Evan lead me to the dance floor, I realized how strange it felt to be in his arms. Like he was the absolutely wrong fit, where Marc fit me perfectly.
“You’re tense, Ashleigh,” he said, as he moved me gracefully around the floor. “Relax. I’m not going to bite you. I don’t know if it’s escaped your notice, but I’m trying to get you to like me.”
I looked up at his handsome face, his benign expression. “Why?”
“I’m sorry?”
“Why do I need to like you?”
He shrugged. “I like and respect your father. We’ve become an odd set of friends these past few years. Seems normal, I would think, that the friendship extended to you as well, since you’re his only family.”
“I suppose I want to be clear. You know I’m worlds below your league. You should be out here dancing with one of the supermodels who came tonight, or that actress at the table behind us.”
“Yes, but I’m not. I’m here with you. There is something refreshing about your mistrust of me, Ashleigh. Most women blindly throw themselves at me, but you, you’re more cautious.”
I didn’t hesitate. “I’m not cautious, I’m simply not interested in you that way.”
He smiled. “Well, good. Because I’m not interested in you that way, either. I meant what I said. I’ve enjoyed your father’s company. We have a mutual interest we’ve discovered. Beyond that, I’ve enjoyed conversations with you and would like our friendship to grow.”
It sounded simple. It sounded non-threatening. There probably wasn’t any reason I shouldn’t believe him.
I just didn’t.
* * *
Later that evening
Ashleigh
The evening wore down and Arthur and I prepared to leave for the penthouse, Evan graciously said good evening. Bestowed another seemingly innocent kiss on my cheek. This time when he pulled away, he gave me a wink before he let me go.
I walked calmly out of the hotel with my back straight, as Arthur guided us to the car, having already called George to pick us up.
“Nice night, Ashleigh?” George asked.
“Very nice, George.” I said politely. “Everyone looked so lovely.”
Arthur seemed pleased with the answer.
For the rest of the drive across town, I got to seethe in silence.
I hated that Evan’s mouth had touched any part of me. My body belonged to Marc. My soul belonged to Marc. Evan’s touch, as seemingly innocent as it was, felt like a drop of poison on my cheek, burning its way through my skin. A stain only Marc could erase.
I had to tell him. I had to give him some context for what he might see. Not that I imagined him wasting time watching entertainment news or reading rag magazines.
I relaxed against the leather seat when I considered the outlets where those pictures might appear. Nothing that would be remotely interesting to Marc.
For now, I was safe.
* * *
Ritz-Carlton
Same Night
