AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Well then.” Ashley wears a forced smile. “There you have it. As Cat’s best friend, I assumed I would’ve spent more time around you so we could get to know each other better.”
“I already know everything I need to know about you.”
Ashley stiffens.
His rude tone compels me to intervene, “Declan.”
My fiancé looks at me. I do my best to give him a reprimanding look, but it seems lost on him. “Have dinner with me.”
My eyes widen. “Excuse me?”
“I’d like us to have dinner together tonight. That’s what I came in here to say.” His attention lies solely on me, indifferent to my fidgeting friend at my side. Either he’s unaware of how rude his abrasive behavior is or he doesn’t care.
I’m pretty sure I know which one it is.
“Oh.” I nod. “Sure. Dinner sounds good.”
His answering smile makes my heart flip in my chest. “Perfect. Seven work?”
I nod again.
“See you then.” He picks up my hand and presses a kiss to my knuckles. He murmurs goodbye to Jane and Heather over my shoulder before retreating out of the living room.
“So… I see things between you two are going well.” I turn and see Heather grinning mischievously as she glances between me and Declan’s retreating figure.
My blush deepens. “We get along.”
Jane and Heather laugh.
Ashley doesn’t make a sound.
When I glance at my best friend, I’m taken aback by the angry scowl pulling across her face. She glares down the hallway, and I am reminded of our high school years. In particular, the way Ashley would look just before she went after the latest girl who insulted one of us. If I’m being honest, though, Ashley was usually the center of the nastier insults. Not surprising considering she didn’t shy away from flirting with our classmates’ boyfriends whenever the opportunity presented itself.
Kind of like she just tried to do with Declan…
The realization takes me by surprise, but I have to admit that’s exactly what just happened.
An icky feeling churns in my stomach. I always gave Ashley the benefit of the doubt whenever I’d hear rumors about her flirting with other girls’ boyfriends. She’s just friendly. And beautiful. It wasn’t odd that girls would be jealous of her. Especially when we were teenagers.
But we’re adults now, and I’m forced to admit Ashley hasn’t changed. She always wants to be the center of attention, and it dawns on me that the fact I’m the one who’s getting married, trying on wedding gowns, and showing up in the gossip column of the society papers at least once a week is likely overwhelming my friend.
It’s not behavior I condone. At least, not anymore. But it’s behavior I understand because I know her. And I care about her.
But I don’t want her flirting with my fiancé.
Wanting to salvage the afternoon as much as possible for my best friend, I clear my throat and ask her, “What are you doing on Wednesday?”
Ashley’s attention shifts to me. There’s still anger in her expression, but it’s mixed with curiosity. “Nothing. Why?”
“I work at the gallery in the morning. Would you like to get lunch together?”
Her forehead creases. “I thought you were on lockdown?”
“Only for spontaneous outings. But work is fine. I’m well guarded there.”
“Oh.” She purses her lips, and I’m relieved to see the anger fade, but I don’t know what to make of the contemplative one that takes its place. “Sure,” she finally answers with a nod. “Lunch would be nice.”
I smile. “Great! We’ll have to eat at the gallery, but we can order anything we want for delivery.”
