And she was a drowning woman.
Her heart refused to listen to her practical head.
Snubbed. Rebuffed.
Rejected each and every warning.
Yep, no doubt about it. She was toast where Josh Williams was concerned. The man would break her heart when he left her. No need to cry pity tears when genuine ones awaited.
Work.
That was something she could count on to maintain her sanity, so that’s what she’d do.
“Josh, I’ll be in the dining room if you need me. The table is big enough for me to spread out.”
“Would you like a cup of tea?”
Charming and nice combined well with sexy. Ashley blinked at his genuine smile and held back her sigh. “I have a packet of ginger and quince green tea in the pantry. Could you make a pot for me?”
“Sure. Any requests for dinner?”
“Surprise me.” She shrugged from her jacket.
“I’ll put the bags in our rooms,” Josh said.
“Thanks,” she murmured as she pulled out her notebook and her laptop. Already, her practical mind had decided she should bury herself in work. Work was her safe zone, and a way to realize her aspiration to be prime minister.
Ashley scanned the list she’d made while waiting for their flight and started to complete her tasks.
In the distance, the phone rang, but since it wasn’t hers, Ashley ignored the summons. The ringing ceased, and soon her work consumed her. She let instinct guide her, taking what she knew of her colleagues and their strengths and remade her team. When she’d finished, she scrutinized her new chart. She gave a decisive nod.
Radical but refreshing.Perfect.
This might rock her team but in a good way.
Ashley continued with her next task.
“Ashley!”
She started and dropped her pen.
Josh retrieved it from the floor. “Sorry I frightened you. Dinner is ready. I’ve set everything up at the breakfast bar since I thought you’d prefer not to tidy away your books and papers. Did you get much done?”
“Yes.”
“Your tea has gone cold.”
“I didn’t even hear you bring it.”
“I spoke to you. You wenthmm, so I figured you knew it was there. I’ll make another pot for you after dinner. Come on. The pasta will get cold.”
The scents wafting from the kitchen made her stomach rumble. “That smells delicious. Who taught you to cook?”
“My mother taught us the basic skills. She loves to cook and believes everyone, male or female, should learn. Once I joined the army, I found cooking relaxed me.” He grinned. “My girlfriends have always appreciated my skills in the kitchen.”
Ashley pushed out a laugh, although his casual remark and the implications burned her. A reminder to stay away from Josh. If she wished to progress, she couldn’t have a philandering boyfriend or fiancé.
But you’re not going to listen.Her heart sang with joy at the decision.
