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And then he turned and left before he could absorb the latest expression of pain wracking her face. The one thing, the only thing, they had in common.
20
Ollie
Boston Terrier mix
Likes: Chasing cars
Dislikes: Catching cars
Ashley should not be feeling so light.
She should not be enjoying that feeling when you’re in the start of a new relationship—whether it’s with a TV show, a friend, a cupcake shop, or a guy.
Most of those she could relate to. The guy—well, it had been a while. She couldn’t recall feeling like this with Greg. It had all happened so fast. One drunken night, not even sure they’d see each other again, and then boom, we’re having a baby. The fluttery feeling of being with someone new had quickly morphed into shards of panic, then grief for the life she’d known quickly receding, soon to be overtaken with new experiences: dropping out of college, morning sickness, a baby.
She had to reach back to her teenage years to recall anything so fun.
That’s what being with Dex felt like. Fun.
Of course there were a million reasons why she shouldn’t be messing about with someone like him, most of which Maeve had enumerated this morning over breakfast when Willa had left the kitchen to get dressed for school.
“A guy like that is only after one thing.”
“Good,” Ashley had quipped. “Because that’s all he’s getting from me.”
And he actually wants to give it to me in a bed! Not the back seat of a car like her first time with Greg. Dex’s respectfulness had floored her.
“Messing about with him gives your daughter the wrong impression.”
That one had given Ashley pause. She didn’t want her daughter thinking Dex was the kind of guy who could be counted on. This hockey himbo was a distraction for Ashley, but he could never be anything more for Willa.
“He’s just a temporary visitor to her life. She knows that.” And if she didn’t, Ashley would make sure of it.
Maeve had pinched her lips even tighter. “He’ll break your heart.”
“No, he won’t. Because I won’t allow him in.”
Her sister’s expression had been nothing but pity, as if the heartbreaking was inevitable. As if this was the job of a man and the lot of a woman. But Ashley would never take Dex seriously enough to put her heart in play. She knew what his game was: make nice with the woman who held his future in her hands. Get that reference, escape with a light tap on the wrist, and be on his way.
Not that she thought he was playing her. How could she be played if she knew the rules and the outcome of the game? Eyes open, heart closed, no one could get hurt.
With her resolve set, she opened the door to the shelter’s reception area just before one in the afternoon, ready to start her shift. Toby was on the phone and raised his eyebrows when he saw her.
“She’s here now. You should tell her yourself.”
Frowning, Ashley watched as Toby mouthed, “It’s Death,” and accepted the phone.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Ashley.” Not Death, but Dex.
Her pulse skittered and she cursed Maeve for possibly being right. She might like this guy more than was sensible.
“Hi, is everything okay?”
“I was just calling to let you know I can’t make it this afternoon.” He sounded very subdued, not like the man who’d wowed her with words and kisses last night.
