Paisley knows that Ben has a daughter and is technically still married. Everything came out at the bachelorette, but she doesn’t know Ben and I have decided to give this thing a proper shot. I take a breath, then sip my coffee before answering. “He’s taking me out tonight. On a date.”
Her face lights up, and she reaches for my hand, squeezing. “That’s amazing! So, you guys talked things through?”
I nod. “That’s why he was at my place the other night. It’s… complicated, though, Paisley. I want this to work. I really like him,” I admit in a whisper.
Paisley gives my hand another squeeze. “Anything worth having is worth fighting for.”
A smile tugs at my lips. “That’s exactly what Taylor said before the accident.”
“She’s right,” Paisley says, smiling back.
“I know.” I sigh. “And I always expected I’d have to fight my brothers when the right guy came along. Nash is proving that to be true and he doesn’t know the half of it yet, but I was ready for that. This stuff with Ben’s daughter and wife? I never saw that coming.”
Paisley gives me a sympathetic look. “I don’t think anyone could’ve predicted that, Ash. But you know your brothers will come around eventually, right?”
“Will they?” My doubt slips out before I can stop it.
She squeezes my hand. “Once they see how much he cares about you, nothing else will matter.”
“I hope you’re right.”
Before she can say anything else, Max comes barreling into the living room, launching himself straight onto Paisley’s lap. She laughs, steadying him with both hands.
“Looks like Nash is back,” she says, scratching behind Max’s ears.
“Then that’s my cue to get out of here,” I mutter, setting my coffee down and standing up.
“Ash–” Paisley starts.
I shake my head. “I can’t deal with him today.”
She gives me a sad smile but doesn’t push. Just as I’m about to head for the door, Nash walks into the living room. His eyes immediately land on me.
“Hey, Ash. What are you doing here?”
“She was visiting me,” Paisley answers smoothly, pushing Max off her lap and standing as Nash crosses the room to kiss her.
“I was just leaving,” I say, walking toward the kitchen.
“Not because of me, I hope?” Nash asks, sounding casual. But we both know it isn’t.
“No,” I lie. “I’ve just got somewhere I need to be.”
I grab my purse off the counter, but when I turn back, Nash has followed me into the kitchen, effectively blocking my way out.
“So, what’s going on with you and this guy?” he asks.
“Nash,” Paisley warns, her tone sharp.
He holds up his hands. “I’m just asking.”
I take a deep breath, willing myself to stay calm. “His name is Ben,” I say evenly.
Nash frowns. “What?”
“Ben,” I repeat, more firmly this time. “Not ‘this guy.’ Ben.”
“Fine,” he says, his jaw tightening. “What’s going on with you andBen?”
