Page 64 of Heat Exchange
I’ll be over later.
“Really?” Ashley asked a few hours later, when Lydia told her she was heading out for a while.
“Yeah, really. I accidentally stole his phone charger.”
“Yeah, because I’m sure he only has the one.”
Lydia frowned at her, not liking the attitude she heard in Ashley’s voice. “What is going on with you? One second, you’re giving me shit. Then you’re helping me plan a weekend alone with him. Now you’re all snippy again.”
“I’m sorry. I guess I can’t decide how I feel about it. And maybe if my life was settled, I’d be better at knowing how I feel about yours, but everything just seems so messed up.”
Lydia sank onto the couch next to her with a sigh. “That’s because everythingisso messed up.”
“I’m going to work with you tomorrow night.”
“Really? Are you sure?”
Ashley shrugged one shoulder. “I’m not sure. That’s why I’m going to workwithyou and not telling you I’ll work instead of you. If I need to leave, I’ll be able to.”
“You have to brace yourself for some comments, though. Because you’ve been away, people are going to want to say something about you being back.”
“I know. I think I’m ready. Danny and I are...I can’t hide here until we figure it out. It shook me and I didn’t know how to act, but I’m turning into a hermit afraid to face the world and that isnotme.”
Lydia’s heart ached for her sister. “It’s not. You’re stronger than this, but it’s not something anybody can push you into.”
“Dad and Fitz are going to something at the VFW for a friend of theirs, so it seems like a good night to get my feet wet again.”
Lydia reached over and squeezed her knee. “Good thinking. And you’ll be fine. I’ll be there, so if you need a break, you can hang out in the office for a breather. And if you need to leave, you can do that, too.”
She didn’t think Ashley would leave, though. Once she made up her mind it was time to get back behind the bar, she’d probably stick with it.
“Thanks.” Ashley picked up the remote control and gestured at the paused television screen. “Go bring Aidan his phone charger. I’m going to finish watching this show.”
Aidan was in his boxer briefs when he opened the door again, but Lydia was used to that now. She wasn’t sure if it was just his nature, or if it had to do with wearing almost seventy pounds worth of gear at work, but the guy hated wearing clothes in his own apartment.
He let her in and kissed her as soon as the door was closed behind her, as if he hadn’t just kissed her goodbye a few hours ago. “Hey, stranger.”
“Funny. Here’s your cord.” When he took it and tossed it on the counter, she caught a whiff of something odd and frowned.
“What’s wrong?”
“You smell like a cheap hooker.” She wrinkled her nose, amused by his look of outrage. “I’m serious.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
She moved closer, sniffing at him. Then she grabbed his hands and inhaled deeply. “It’s your hands. Seriously, it smells like you’ve been rubbing them all over a cheap hooker.”
Aidan laughed. “I’ll pass that compliment on to my mother. She’ll be thrilled to know the soap in the guest bathroom smells so nice.”
Lydia winced. “Ouch. If you pass that compliment on, tell her Ashley said it. So, how did dinner with the family go?”
“Same as usual. My dad’s an ass and my mom tries to pretend he’s not. My brother needs my father’s permission to breathe and my sister’s turning into my mother. But the food was good.”
“I can put up with a lot for good food. Especially if it’s free and I don’t have to cook it.”
“It’ll be at least a month before I have to do it again. Six weeks if I can come up with some good excuses.” He dropped onto the couch and patted the seat next to him. “Sit with me. Unless you’re running right off.”
“I can stay for a little while. Didn’t you save an episode of that show you want me to watch on your DVR?”
