He grinned. “I’ve been wanting to do this for a long time.”
I couldn’t help but smile back at him. “Well enjoy it, because she’s probably gonna kill both of us when she finds out.”
He carried her to the apartment, with Jake and me right behind him.I unlocked the door and stepped aside. “Set her in her room, Ash. I’ll undress her and then meet you guys back here.”
“I could help,” he suggested.
“No, she’s going to freak out that you carried her up to begin with... seeing her half-naked would take her over the edge.”
“You have a point.”
He set her gently on the bed, removed her shoes, kissed her forehead, then closed the door as he left.I was mindful of her wound as I rolled her onto her side to unzip the dress. It took a lot of scooting and tugging, but I finally got it off her. She was left in her panties and bra cups. I figured that was good, threw a blanket over her, and sneaked out the door.
Jake and Asher sat in my living room, drinking beer, but I noticed someone had poured me a glass of wine, which I snagged as I floppedonto the sofa next to Jake, kicking my shoes off and pulling my legs up beside me.
“You didn’t want to get out of that expensive gown, huh?” Jake asked.
I sipped my wine and shook my head. “I will. But for the moment, please tell me Dylan’s off the hook.”
He slid his arm around my waist, pulling me close. “Not yet—”
“What the hell?” I snapped.
“Can I finish?” he challenged.
“Only if you’regoing to tell me she’s clear of all charges.”
Asher chuckled. “I warned you.”
“Yeah, you did,” Jake said. “I’m confident Dylanwillbe cleared of the charges, Addison, it’s just not going to happen this weekend. They have to book Baranov and Taylor and find out what they know, then the DA can go from there.”
“Well, if she’s not cleared on Monday, we’re suing,” I snapped. “Actually, we mightsue anyway. Unlawful arrest, police harassment—”
“All the evidence pointed to Dylan,” Jake countered.
“Did it?” I snarled. “Anyone with half a brain could have seen it was a setup. Goddammit! We’re the ones who solved the case in the end anyway, proving that the police—”
“Addie,” Asher warned. “Jake’s worked his ass off to prove Dylan innocent, so maybe refrain from finishing your sentence.”
I sighed. “You’re right. I’m sorry, Jake. I’m tired and frustrated, and coming down off an adrenaline surge.”
“I get it, Addison.” Jake gave me a gentle squeeze. “But now, I should go. I swapped shifts so I could join you tonight, which means early morning for me.”
I set my wine down and rose to my feet. “So much for our date.”
He smiled, heading towards the door. “We’ll find another night.”
I nodded, pulling open the door. He leaned down and kissed me gently... then he left. No makeout session, no sex, no nothin’. I closed and locked the door and walked back to the living room.
“You okay?” Asher asked.
I shook my head, threw myself onto the sofa, and burst into tears.
Asher swore before sitting me up and wrapping an arm around my shoulders. I buried my face in his jacket andsobbed. “She could have been killed.”
“I know, Addie, I know. But she’s okay.”
“I can’t believe she believed Mom! God, she’s such a cow. You have to make sure Dylan knows that whatever Mom said is a total lie.”
