He suddenly looks up and smiles. “Hey. How long have you been standing there?”
Heat rushes to my cheeks. “Not long.”
His smile grows. “Liar.”
“I—um…” I fumble, flustered, and he laughs.
“Relax, Ash. I’m just messing with you. Come on in while I shut this down.”
I step into his office, not quite sure what to do with my hands as he tidies up a few papers and powers off his computer. I can’t help but wonder if that was him flirting. It definitely felt like it. Especially the way he called me out on staring at him… and he knew I was, too.
“You’re looking a lot less glittery,” he says, stepping out from behind his desk, his eyes scanning over me. “Although… you missed a spot. Right…” He gently brushes his thumb along my cheek, his eyes locked on mine. “There,” he murmurs.
“Thanks,” I whisper.
His hand lingers for a second longer before he finally lets it fall, taking a small step back, almost like he doesn’t really want to.
“Shall we get that drink?” he asks gently.
I nod. “Sure.”
“You pick the place,” he says, smiling. “You know Hope Creek better than I do.”
“There’s only one place to go in Hope Creek.”
He grins. “Your brother’s bar?”
“Yep.”
“Alright. Let’s go.”
We walk side by side through the quiet hallway and out into the parking lot. The early evening air is cool, and I’m glad I put my jacket on.
“Want to swing by your place first?” he asks. “Save us taking two cars?”
“I walked today,” I say with a shrug.
He raises his brows. “You walked?”
I shoot him a look. “Yes, I walked. Why do you sound so shocked?”
He laughs, shaking his head. “I just assumed if you hated running, walking wouldn’t be high on your list either.”
“They’re totally different,” I say. “One’s tolerable. The other’s torture.”
His gaze drops to my shoes, and a slow smile tugs at his lips.
“And in those heels?” he asks, amused. I nod. “Nowthat’simpressive.”
“What can I say? It’s a talent.”
About ten minutes later,we walk into Eden. Even though it’s still early, the place is already buzzing; it looks like after-work drinks are popular tonight. I guess this close to Christmas, everyone’s winding down. Seb’s not behind the bar, and I’mhoping it’s his night off. I love my brother, but it’s kind of a relief not to feel like I’m under surveillance for once.
“Hey, Ash,” Alex calls as we approach the bar, his gaze sweeping over me before a slow grin spreads across his face. “You’re looking hot tonight!”
Heat rushes to my cheeks, and I quickly drop my gaze, pretending to dig through my purse.
“I wouldn’t let Seb hear you talking like that,” Ryder warns from further down the bar. “You know he’d have you on your ass if he were here.”
