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Ashlyn’s laughter was bright, and I couldn’t help but smile. “You did, you slut! You slept with him.” She hopped onto the edge of my desk and leaned over my laptop. “I need to hear it all. He is…well, I mean, you’ve seen him.”
“Clearly I have. Now, where did my sweet little niece go?” But I was still smiling as I poked at her with a pen.
“She’s out of office. Come on, Cici, spill the tea.”
I set back from the desk, crossing my arms. My cheeks warmed at the memories. “We got burgers.”
“And?” Ashlyn’s hands were clenched in front of her.
I pretended to pick at a nail bed. “And we went to his house?”
“And?” Her voice continued to rise in pitch.
I wetted my lips, drawing out her torture. Even though I was clearly going to tell her everything, I was still enjoying this part. “We had sex on his couch.”
Ashlyn’s jaw went slack, and I giggled at her. Somehow she still managed to swallow and push a single word through her lips. “And?”
“Pretty much every other stable surface, from his bathtub to his bed.” I sucked on my tongue. “And back again.”
“Oh my gosh, Cici Grove is back in business!” Ashlyn cackled, her joy almost visible as she clapped her hands. “I love this. He makes Kevin look like some kind of sewer creature.”
I laughed now. “What do you mean?”
“You didn’t hear it from me, but Brady has had a little crush on you for a few weeks.”
“Darling, we’re in our thirties. We don’t get crushes.”
Ashlyn rolled her eyes, her hand fluttering away my response. “Whatever. All I’m saying is that Brady is a really great person. And he is so pretty to look at.”
I raised my brows.
“I’m allowed to look. I am more than satisfied with my fiance, but Brady is very attractive. I’m just speaking the truth.” She held up the Girl Scout finger salute, still grinning broadly at me.
“I know, Ash. I’m not blind.”
“Oh God, I recognize that voice. You’re going to do the thing, aren’t you?”
“What thing?” I barely resisted the urge to put the pen cap against my lips, where I could chew it lightly.
“You push people away when you are worried.” Ashlyn took a drink of her coffee, one leg swinging against my desk “Which is always.”
“I don’t push you away.”
“I have keys to your apartment. I don’t think it’s possible at this point.” She pressed a hand over my forearm. Her engagement ring winked back. I stomped down on the tight feeling of jealousy that bloomed. “I know things with Kevin messed you up pretty bad, but Brady is totally different.”
“How do you know that?”
“Well, for one, you two are equally ambitious. You are both devoted to your family. And you look really, really pretty together.”
I rolled my eyes. “That doesn’t matter. Can we please focus on the real relationship material aspects?”
“It does. It matters more than you think to wake up beside someone and realize that they are not just a lover but a partner. If you think there’s even the slightest chance that Brady is that guy, you should give it a shot.” She held up a hand. “And before you say it, do not blame the company. We are doing just fine.”
I swallowed hard.For now,I chanted internally.
“I’ll think about it. But nothing changes today. Okay?”
Ashlyn shrugged. The conversation was over, and as much as I wanted to block out her words, my niece had made her point. And I was tempted. Brady Martinez would make one hell of a partner.
