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“Something happened in Vienna?” Lola asked, her antenna poking up even higher now.
Ashley nodded, a flush spreading across her cheeks. “Something big.”
“I thought you seemed different since your trip,” Lola said, “but I’ve been so run off my feet with the growth of my business and wedding prep that I never found time to pull you aside and ask. I should have made the time.”
Cassie looked guilty. “I should have too, Ash. I’ve been so wrapped up in the wedding, but that’s no excuse.”
“Neither of you has anything to apologize for,” Ashley insisted. “Especially since I wasn’t ready to talk about any of it until today.”
Lola pinned her with an intense gaze. “I’m guessing it has something to do with a man?”
Ashley smiled—she couldn’t help it. Thinking of Nash made her smile. But it also made her ache. “You know how Brandon always brings in a celebrity for his hotel launches to ensure they’re the hottest ticket in town? Nash Hardwin was Brandon’s guest of honor at the hotel gala.”
“You slept with him, didn’t you?” Lola asked, sitting on the edge of her seat as she waited for confirmation.
Again, Ashley couldn’t hold back her smile. “I did.”
Lola looked immensely impressed. “You have to tell us everything!”
Of course, Ashley wasn’t going to tell her sisters the intimate details that would forever be only between her and Nash. But she needed to tell them enough of what had happened so that they’d understand how she was feeling.
“I was planning to be a solo tourist for a couple of days. But then it turned out that Nash was staying at the new hotel, and when the streets became mobbed, and the local authorities were brought in to send the crowd home, Brandon needed a way to get Nash out of the building without anyone noticing. Somehow, I ended up an integral part of the plan. Both Nash and I put on disguises and pretended to be a couple. Amazingly, it worked, and we got out of the hotel undetected.”
“Weren’t you awestruck by Nash? Or nervous to be around him?” Cassie asked. “I know I would have been. I’ve loved his music for so long.”
“I love his music too,” Lola said. “Almost as much as I love looking at him,” she added with a smile. “But something tells me you weren’t nervous at all, were you, Ash?”
“Strangely, I was really comfortable with him from the very beginning. Probably because he was so far out of my league that I would never register on his radar. Before I knew it, we had spent the whole day together. And because I was never going to see him again, I was able to be open with him in a way I would never be with anyone else on a first date. He said he felt the same, that being a tourist with me for the day was the perfect escape from his rock-star life.” She took a breath before telling them the rest. “And then I boldly invited him back to my apartment and had the best night of my entire life.” She closed her eyes as she remembered, warmth running through her. “It was just perfect. Completely incredible in every single way.”
Lola fanned herself with her hand. “This might be the hottest story I’ve ever heard.”
“I agree,” Cassie said. “Although it doesn’t sound like the story is over quite yet, is it?”
“There’s definitely more,” Ashley confirmed. “Brandon came to my apartment the next day and went through the roof when Nash walked out of the bedroom wearing only a towel.”
“Only a towel?” Lola said on a gasp. “I can’t believe Brandon didn’t tell us.”
“I’m glad he didn’t,” Ashley said. “He wanted to challenge Nash to a duel, until I pointed out that he’s probably had a dozen one-night stands, so he shouldn’t be such a hypocrite.”
“You’re right,” Lola agreed. “He has no right to judge you or Nash for spending the night together.”
“You know how they are,” Cassie said, referring to their brothers and their father. “Way too protective.”
“I told Brandon to mind his own business,” Ashley said. “But Brandon’s unexpected appearance meant that the good-bye Nash and I had planned on making that morning wasn’t nearly as straightforward as I’d hoped. Nash and I got into a disagreement, and then I asked him to leave.” She blew out a harsh breath. “We did end up sharing one more stolen kiss that night, after his show.” A kiss that haunted her dreams every single night. “I haven’t seen or heard from him since, and I don’t expect I will.”
“Oh, Ash.” Cassie put a hand on her knee. “I can’t believe you’ve been holding this in for over a month.”
“I should have told you guys sooner,” Ashley agreed. “But the reason I finally had to come clean is because I’m worried no mere mortal will ever live up to Nash. Take the guy I went out with last night. He’s nice. He’s handsome. He’s smart. He has a good job. He likes kids. And I felt nothing.”
