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I licked at my caramel ice cream, scooping up some of the chopped nuts and crumbled cookies that had been sprinkled over the top. Smooth and cold, the ice cream went down nicely. “Well, what did Tucker do?”
Ashley’s lips thinned. “We sat down to catch up on a TV series we’ve been following. He started ‘guessing’ what was going to happen. The first time he was right, I was impressed. The second time, I was suspicious. The third time, I was out and out pissed, because I knew it meant that the asshole had watched the episodes without me.”
I winced. “Oh.”
“He denied it at first. Said he’d never do that to me. But when I threatened to shred his football jersey with a blade if he didn’t tell me the truth, he admitted he’d watched the rest of the series while I went to church with my mother on Sunday. What kind of sick person does that?”
Actually, I’d done it to Melinda a time or two, but I didn’t say that. “Did he apologize?”
“No. He said I was overreacting. Overreacting would have been to ream his ass with my hair straighteners—don’t think I didn’t consider it.” Ashley licked at her chocolate ice-cream. “You still so sure he loves me?”
“Yes, I am. He did an unfair thing. He’s no doubt feeling shitty about it now.”
“And so he should,” sassed Ashley. “So, how are things going with you and your spectacularly hot boss?”
Ignoring the way my stomach dropped, I took another lick of my ice-cream. “Good.”
“You fucked him yet?”
“What do you think?” I asked with a wicked smile that made her laugh.
“I’m betting he’s well-endowed. He gives off that big cock vibe.”
I frowned. “Big cock vibe?”
“He walks like a man who’s fully secure in himself about that department.” She narrowed her eyes. “What’s with the look on your face?”
I blinked. “What look?”
“The one that says something’s bugging you. You weren’t wearing it until I brought up Dane. What happened? You two had a falling out?”
“No. Everything’s fine.”
“Girl, just tell me what’s wrong.”
“Nothing.” I licked at the drips of ice cream that were running down my waffle cone, hoping she’d drop the subject.
“Are you worrying that you’ll never come first to him, what with him being a workaholic? Because I would.”
I almost laughed. Dane’s work would always come first—I knew that for a fact. Still, I vaguely answered, “Most workaholics struggle to balance work with other aspects of their lives.”
“True, but he’s already put you before his work. I mean, you told me long ago that he doesn’t get involved with his employees. He broke that rule for you. I don’t think he’d do that if he didn’t care for you.” She used a napkin to wipe at the ice cream that had dripped down her chin. “I’ll find out if I’m right when I see you two at the barbecue. I bumped into Melinda and managed to wangle myself an invite.”
My lips twitched. Ashley did that shit all the time. She seemed to know everybody.
“I’ll watch him with you, and I’ll tell you what I see,” Ashley went on. “I do hope Hanna’s wrong and he’s not a psychopath. You don’t want one of those in your bed.”
“You’ve been talking to Hanna about this?” I’d introduced them a few years ago, and they got along like a house on fire.
“She’s excited about you and Dane, but she’s also worried that he’ll hurt you due to him not having a conscience and all.”
“I think I’ll be fine. And I don’t believe he’s a psychopath.”
“She said you’d say that. She also said to remind you that you thought that Raymond was ‘sweet.’ You know, the same Raymond who stole your wallet and maxed out your credit card when you dumped him.”
“You two are never going to let me forget about that, are you?”
“Nope. What true friend would?”
I snorted.
Once we were finally done with our ice cream, we drove back to our complex in our respective vehicles. Entering the parking lot, I noticed a familiar car parked outside the building. Hell. This was not what I needed right now.
Ashley didn’t notice Dane until she and I walked toward the main door. He’d obviously noticed my arrival because he’d exited his vehicle and was now leaning against it.
Ashley put her mouth to my ear and quietly said, “I don’t know what you two have been squabbling over—purely because you won’t tell me—but go sort it out.”
“Are you going to take your own advice and make up with Tucker?” I asked.
She sniffed. “Maybe.”
Instead of following her into the building, I took a preparatory breath and walked over to Dane. “What are you doing here?” I asked, though not unkindly.
He pushed away from the car. “I told you we’d talk later.”
I scratched my forehead. “Can’t it wait until tomorrow?” Because I figured the best way to not blur any lines between us in my head would be to only see him at work or when we were on our fake dates. I was on my time now, and there was no need for him to be inside my apartment.
