She opens her mouth to argue, but I hold up a hand. “Let me finish.”
She gives a reluctant nod.
“I’m thinking… I could drive you to Eden. Ivy and I will hang out there too, just for a drink while you’re on your date. We won’t sit close. You won’t even have to see us, but we’ll be nearby. Just in case.”
Her expression tightens. “I don’t need a babysitter, Ashlyn.”
“I know,” I say gently. “I’m not trying to play the responsible adult here. I’d do this for any of my friends. There are just a lot of creeps out there, and you don’t know this guy yet.”
She blows out a slow breath then gives me a small nod. “Okay. You’re right. I don’t. If you’re sure you don’t mind playing chauffeur again.” Her cheeks flush as she says it.
I chuckle. “Not at all. And Ivy and I never pass up an excuse for a night out.”
“Ivy’s your best friend, right?” she asks.
“Yeah.” I smile. “We’ve been best friends since kindergarten. You’ll love her. She’s awesome.”
Laney gives another nod, then hesitates. “Would it be okay if I got ready here tomorrow night?”
Her voice wobbles ever so slightly, and my heart softens. “Of course,” I say.
“Thanks,” she says, releasing a breath. “I haven’t been on a date in a while. I’m kind of nervous.”
I grin. “That’s what a glass of wine is for. Helps with the pre-date jitters.” I pull a playful face. “Just don’t tell your dad I said that.”
She laughs. “Deal. You keep my secret, I’ll keep yours.”
After the show wraps up, I drive Laney home. I wait in the driveway until I see her get inside safely before pulling away. We’ve already made plans for me to pick her up after work tomorrow, and I even offered to let her stay over at my place if she wanted to. She said she’d think about it, though now I’m wondering if I pushed things too fast. Hopefully not. I’ve givenher my mobile number, so she can always text me if she changes her mind about the whole thing.
I don’t make it all the way home before I’m reaching for the hands-free and dialing Ben’s number. He picks up almost right away.
“Hey, you,” he greets, a little breathless.
“Hey,” I reply, laughing softly. “You sound out of breath.”
“Yeah, just got in from a run. Had to drag myself out the door.”
I laugh again.
“Everything alright?”
“Everything’s great,” I reply, my tone bright. “I just dropped Laney off.”
“That’s great. Did you two have fun?”
I nod, even though he can’t see me. “We did. At least, I think so. We had pizza and binged that reality show she’s obsessed with.”
Ben chuckles. “I had a feeling you two would end up bonding over that trash.”
“Hey!” I protest, pretending to be offended. “It’s not trash.”
He laughs again. “If you say so.”
There’s a pause, and then he exhales. “Seriously, Ash. Thank you. I don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t been able to pick her up. I owe you… and Wyatt.”
“You don’t owe me anything,” I tell him. “Honestly, I think it was the best thing that could’ve happened.”
“What do you mean?”
