Why do you think you can control every outcome? You should know by now that this is what happens when you let yourself get involved with a woman. You start to enjoy her company, she gets under your skin, then you have to move on before you become too close to her.
I frown as I stare at the door where Ashley walked out moments before. My instinct is to go after her and apologize, but when it comes to women, lately my instincts have led me astray, so I resist the urge to leave my office and find her before she leaves.
Maybe she didn’t mean it when she said she quit. Maybe she’ll be back tomorrow.
My hopes keep me going, but when it’s time for me to leave I stop by her desk and see her laptop sitting in the center of her desk, then notice that none of her personal belongings are there. Even the vase of flowers is gone.
When I think of the man—Jonathan—who sent them, acid churns in my gut. Who does he think he is that he can put his hands on her the way he did? I’m the one who’s intimately familiar with her body. She told me she didn’t sleep with him—at least not yet.
The thought of him being with her like that makes the acid burn a path up my throat and I want to punch something, just to relieve the pressure that’s building inside me.
I head out to my car and drive straight to the gym, then work out for two hours until endorphins replace the mix of emotions that have tormented me all day.
ASHLEY
One week. You lasted one week. I frown as I drive home, wondering why I was stupid enough to apply for the job in the first place. I should have known better than to work for a lover. Especially when he wanted to pretend like what we’d done had never happened.
When I reach my apartment, Emily isn’t there, so I put together a simple dinner for the two of us, dreading telling her the latest development in my Drake saga. She arrives home just as I finish tossing the salad.
“I’m so tired,” she moans as she drops her purse on the floor next to the couch. “Look at you, Bee.” She giggles. “Making dinner and everything.”
I grimace at the nickname. “Yep. Are you hungry?”
“Starved.” Emily sets the table and a few minutes later we sit across from each other. “So, how was your day?”
I close my eyes while shaking my head, then I look at Emily. “I quit my job.”
A forkful of lettuce is inches from her mouth, but it stops in its path. “What?”
I nod, then find I can’t speak as my throat is clogged with unshed tears. I picture Drake’s face and see him smiling softly at me the day before, then contrast that with the look of anger I saw today. Hurt swells within me, and tears flood my eyes. I don’t want to blink, because that will cause the tears to spill over my lashes.
Instead, I stand and get a tissue, pressing it under each eye to absorb the tears I don’t want to shed for the man who can be so sweet and sensitive in the privacy of a bedroom—and on a ridge overlooking a valley—but so brusque and unfeeling everywhere else.
I breathe deeply to get my emotions under control, then go back to the table.
“What happened?” Emily asks.
I tell Emily how I’d been on edge all day, wondering what Drake was thinking, and wondering if he was going to fire me—which seems silly now that I’ve quit. And then how I’d asked him if everything was okay, and his completely unreasonable response.
“I can’t believe he said that to you, Ash.”
“I know. That’s why I quit. He was being such a jerk and I couldn’t take it anymore.”
She studies my face. “Are you okay? Do you regret it?”
“Yes, I’m okay. I don’t know yet if I regret it.”
“You’re not going to change your mind, are you?”
I laugh. “No. No way I’d beg for my job back.”
She smiles, clearly relieved. “Good.”
We’re quiet for a moment, then I remember the flowers I received. “Jonathan sent me flowers,” I say, pointing to the vase on the coffee table.
Emily turns around and looks at them. “Wow. They’re gorgeous.” She looks back at me. “Have you talked to him?”
The fact that Jonathan seems interested in me is the only bright spot in an otherwise crappy day. “Not yet.”
“You should text him. You know, to let him know you got the flowers.”
“I will.”
“I’ll bet he would never treat you like that idiot did.”
Holding back a frown—not only because of the name she called Drake, but because I kind of agree with her—I nod. We talk about things other than my love life as we finish eating, but once we’ve cleaned up, I send a text to Jonathan.
Ashley: Thanks for the beautiful flowers, Jonathan. They really brightened my day!
He responds fifteen minutes later.
Jonathan: I’m glad you liked them. I’ve been thinking about you and how much fun we had last Friday. Do you want to go out again?
“Jonathan just asked me out,” I say to Emily, who is texting on her phone.
She looks up with a smile. “Awesome! We should go on a double date again.”
“That sounds like fun,” I say, then I reply to Jonathan’s text.
Ashley: Yes, I’d like that.
Jonathan: Great! How about Friday?
Ashley: Works for me. Emily wants us to go with her and Nick again.
Jonathan: That’s fine with me. I’ll work it out with Nick. See you Friday.
“He’ll talk to Nick,” I say to Emily. Now that I have something to look forward to, I feel a little better, although now I have to start my job search all over again.
The next morning I sleep in, and when my phone rings mid-morning, I answer with a drowsy voice.
“Ashley?” It’s a woman’s voice, and she sounds worried.
With the phone pressed to my ear, I stare at the ceiling. “Yes, this is her.”
“This is Barbara. From Drake Consulting.”
I hold back a sigh and wonder what she thinks is going on. “Hi.”
“Why didn’t you come in this morning? Are you sick?”
So Drake didn’t tell her I quit. Interesting. When I think of how nice she’s been to me, I feel bad that my quitting will put more work on her plate, but I’m not going to change my mind. I’m also not about to tell her why I quit. “I’m sorry, Barbara, but I won’t be coming to work anymore.”
“What? Ashley, what happened? Does Mr. Drake know about this?”
I roll my eyes. Oh yeah. He knows. “Yes, I told him yesterday.” I ignore the rest of her questions. “I really appreciate all the help you gave me while I was there, and I’m sorry to put this on you.”
She sighs audibly. “I gave you a chance, Ashley. Mr. Drake gave you a chance. I’m very disappointed at your unprofessional behavior.”
What am I supposed to say to her scolding? Your wonderful Mr. Drake had sex with me a bunch of times, and then he wanted me to pretend like it never happened? I wonder what Barbara would say to that. “Again, I’m sorry, Barbara.”
“Good-bye, Ashley.”
I hang up and it feels like there’s a weight on my chest. I don’t like the impression Barbara has of me, but I know it’s my own fault for putting myself in that position.
I throw back the covers and climb out of bed, knowing I have some work ahead of me to find a job.
Twenty-Eight
DRAKE
When I get to the office I’m not surprised that Ashley isn’t there, although I’d held out hope that she would change her mind about quitting. Pretending like everything is okay, I start working on my overflowing task list and almost forget about Ashley.
Mid-morning Barbara knocks on my open office door.
“Good morning, Barbara,” I say as I look up from my monitor.
“May I come in?”
I gesture to the chairs in front of my desk and she takes a seat. “What can I help you with?” I have about a million things to do, so I hope this won’t take long.
“I’m a little concerned,” s
he begins.
“About what?” I want my employees to feel comfortable talking to me when they feel the need, so I force myself to relax as I put a pleasant smile on my face.
“I understand Ashley Spencer is no longer working here.”
My heart lurches at the mention of her name, but I school my expression, not wanting to show my distress over the situation. “That’s correct.” How does Barbara know? “Did you speak to Ms. Spencer?” And what did she tell you?
Barbara nods. “Yes. When she didn’t come in I called her to see if she was ill.” Barbara frowns with obvious disapproval. “She is not. Rather, she said that she will no longer be working here. I asked her if you are aware of this and she said that you are.”
I clear my throat as I try to come up with an explanation. “That’s correct. I’m afraid it wasn’t a good fit after all.”
With a frown, Barbara says, “I’m very sorry that it didn’t work out, but I’m sure we can find another candidate that will be a good fit, Mr. Drake.”
“Thank you, Barbara. I appreciate all of your hard work.”
She stands. “Let me know if you need anything.”
“Thank you.” As I watch her walk out of my office my thoughts go to Ashley and what I wouldn’t give to have her sitting across from me at that moment. I stand and look out my window, letting my thoughts wander.
My gaze goes to the snow-covered mountain range and I remember playing in the snow with Ashley and how I’d almost felt like a kid again. As Ashley’s face fills my mind, I realize that I need to see her, to talk to her. If I can just face her and convince myself that I don’t need her in my life, I can get her out of my head, once and for all.
ASHLEY
When I check my email, I see a request for a job interview for one of the jobs I applied for previously. I immediately agree, then begin searching for additional positions to apply for.
As the day goes on, I half expect to hear from Drake, but I never do. Replaying the scene in his office over and over in my head, I wonder why he reacted with so much cruelty.
Deciding to not think about Drake, I focus on my job hunt. When I’m ready for a break I turn my thoughts to Jonathan and the date we’ll be going on the next night. It will be fun to go out with him, especially since we’ll be with Emily and Nick, and I’m glad I have something fun to look forward to.
When Friday afternoon rolls around I put away my laptop and start getting ready for my date. Pushing down the sadness I feel in knowing that Drake is now part of my past, I focus on my future. When Emily gets home she tells me that the guys are taking us to dinner and then bowling.
“That should be fun,” I say as I finish fixing my hair.
“Are you any good at bowling?”
“Not really. I’ve only been a couple of times.”
She laughs. “Same here, so it should be pretty entertaining.”
When the guys arrive at our apartment, my gaze goes to Jonathan. His deep blue eyes appraise me, and I’m glad I wore my favorite jeans paired with boots that have three inch heels, since they make my short legs look just a little longer.
“Thanks again for the flowers,” I say with a smile.
“You’re very welcome,” he says, then after a moment, “How’s your new job going?”
Either Emily didn’t tell Nick, or Nick didn’t tell Jonathan. “Uh, actually it didn’t work out.”
His eyebrows crease with confusion. “What do you mean?”
I really don’t want to explain my convoluted relationship with Colton Drake, but I don’t want to get too deep into lies, so I settle for, “It just wasn’t a good fit.”
He nods. “So now what?”
I glance at Emily and Nick, who are kissing in the kitchen, then look at Jonathan. “I have a job interview next week with a different company, plus I’ve applied for more jobs, so I think something will work out.”
He smiles with confidence. “I’m sure it will.”
At the restaurant we sit in a booth—Jonathan and me on one side, Nick and Emily on the other. As we eat and chat, I find myself drawn to Jonathan more and more.
“I can check to see if we have any openings that would work for you,” he offers as we’re finishing our meal.
“No.” Maybe I say it a little too quickly because Jonathan seems taken aback by my response.
“Okay,” he says. “Just offering.”
I laugh to cover my embarrassment. No way do I want to work with someone who I may become romantically involved with. I’ve learned my lesson. “I appreciate the offer,” I say, grasping for an explanation that will make sense without making me look like an idiot. “I really do. It’s just that . . .”
“Sometimes it’s a bad idea to work with friends,” Emily says.
I nod in her direction, grateful she chimed in.
“Really?” Jonathan says. “I always thought networking was a good thing.”
“Well, yeah,” Emily says. “But since you guys are dating . . .” She grimaces to emphasize her point.
“Oh,” Jonathan says, seeming to finally get it. “That makes sense.”
I put my hand on his arm. “But thank you for offering. Really.”
He smiles. “Sure.”
After we’re done eating, we head over to a nearby bowling alley. When the guys leave Emily and me so they can get the lane, I turn to Emily with a smile. “Thanks for saving me from trying to explain why I never want to work with someone I’m dating.”
She laughs. “Yeah, I kind of figured that’s what you were thinking.”
I smile, glad to have my friend by my side. My cell phone chimes a message, and I pull my phone out of my back pocket and read the text.
Drake: We need to talk. Can you meet with me tomorrow?
I turn to Emily, my eyes wide.
“What is it?” she asks.
“Drake just sent me a text. He wants to talk to me tomorrow.”
She smirks. “Tell him to go to hell.”
“Hmm. That is tempting.” Although I’m curious to know what he wants to talk about.
“Probably just wants another chance to get you in bed, Ash. Don’t fall for it.”
I stare at the text on the screen of my phone, unsure what to do.
“You said a size seven shoe, right, Ashley?” Jonathan says as he walks up to us with Nick right behind him.
With a final glance at my phone, I tuck it in my pocket and turn my attention to the man who’s never done anything to make me feel bad. Although he’s never made me feel as wonderful as Drake has either.
“Yeah,” I say. “Size seven.”
Twenty-Nine
ASHLEY
Jonathan hands me the bowling shoes and I put them on, then turn to him with a smile. “Thanks for getting these for me.”
“No problem.” He pauses, then his gaze looks me up and down and a smile lifts the corners of his mouth. “Did you shrink?”
I laugh, realizing I’ve always had heels on when I’ve been with him. “I guess you could say that.” I look up at him. “I hope you don’t mind short girls.” The thought makes me think of Drake and the first time he kissed me. He’d asked—no, told me—to make us lunch, and when I couldn’t reach the can of tuna fish in the cupboard, he’d taken it down, then he’d kissed me, right there in his kitchen.
The memory fills me with longing, and I wonder what he wants to talk to me about.
“No, I don’t mind at all,” Jonathan says.
I look at him, almost forgetting what I’d asked. “Good.”
“Especially you,” he says as he leans closer to me.
Warmth washes over me at his attention.
“Who wants to go first?” Nick asks our group.
“I will,” Emily says as she reaches for a bowling ball.
We all watch as she immediately bowls a gutter ball.
“You suck,” Nick laughs.
Emily laughs along with him. “I know, I know.”
“Try again,” he says.
She does, and this time she knocks a few pins down. “Ashley’s turn,” she calls out.
I smile, knowing I’ll probably do even worse than her. “Okay, don’t laugh too hard.” I wait for the pins to be reset, then I lift a bowling ball from the return and carry it to the lane. “Here goes nothing.” A moment later all the pins are down.
“What?” Emily says. “You said you hardly ever bowl.”
I laugh at the look on her face. “Beginner’s luck, Em. I’m sure that’s all it is. I’ll probably bowl gutter balls the rest of the night.”
When the guys take their turns, Nick does okay, but Jonathan is really good.
“Are you in a bowling league or something?” I ask.
He laughs. “Not exactly. But my grandparents like to bowl and they take me a lot.”
“Ah-hah,” I say. “A ringer.”
He smiles, obviously pleased that I seem impressed, which I am. I do okay the rest of the game, although I’m in last place. I don’t care. I’m just there to have fun.
We play for two hours, and the more I get to know Jonathan, the more I like him. When the guys leave to return the shoes, Emily says, “I was thinking of inviting them to our apartment when we’re done. Is that okay?”
I think about it for a minute, then decide I wouldn’t mind spending more time with Jonathan. “Sure.”
When we get back to our apartment, Emily says, “Do you guys want to come in for a while?”
Jonathan, who’s sitting beside me in the back seat with his arm around me, looks at me with his eyebrows raised—I guess to see if I’m okay with it.
“Do you want to come up?” I ask.
He smiles. “Sure.” Then he takes my hand as we ascend the stairs to the second floor.
Emily unlocks the door and leads us inside. “Who wants to watch a movie?”
“What do you have?” Nick asks.
She points to her small stack of Blu-ray movies, and Nick and Jonathan check them out.
“What’s up with all these chick-flicks?” Nick says with a grin.
“Uh, hello?” she says. “I’m a chick. I like them.”
Drake and Ashley: The Complete Story Page 23
