But I can’t deal with that now. It’s time to get dressed for my first day of work.
* * *
As the CEO, Mia’s Missoula office is epic with floor-to-ceiling windows and a beautiful view of the river below. I’m thrilled with my space, which is directly next to hers and has a sliver of the same view of the outside. I’ll be in this office a lot, but I get to spend a part of each day on Wild Ranch. I can’t wait for both, and I can feel my creativity growing with each moment I’m in Montana.
“I’m so sorry about the cabin mix-up.” Mia widens her eyes in apology as she finishes showing me around the building and leads me back to her office to chat. “My husband and I thought of the same good idea, I guess. Clearly, we should have communicated that to each other.”
I wave it off. “You two have a new baby to focus on. I’m sure a lot of other things get forgotten. With good reason.”
“I just feel terrible that one of you will have to move.”
I suck in a breath. “Well, we’re going to try staying there together for the month and see how it goes.”
Mia sits down in her chair behind her desk and gestures that I sit across from her. “Are you sure? I know you and Jared are old friends, but I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable.”
Remembering Jared’s heated look this morning as we lay in bed together, I fight not to sound awkward as I stammer out that it’s fine.
“How about you come with me to the Lucky Cowboy tonight?” Mia asks me suddenly. “Jamie Beth and Haley are joining me.” She laughs. “Declan’s on babysitting duty.”
“I don’t want to intrude.”
“You’re not. Plus, Haley Laine is your new work colleague, so it would be good for you two to get to know each other better. And Jamie’s the best.”
I would love a night out with other women.
“That sounds fun.” I glance at my phone. “I need to go pick up my car at the leasing office. I’m getting one with all-wheel drive, which will hopefully help me when it snows. Coming from Louisiana, I’m not exactly prepared for that part.”
“It will. And I’ll take you.” Mia stands up. “I can show you around Missoula at the same time.”
* * *
“So, have you and Jared slept together?” Jamie Beth asks me later that night as she, Mia, Haley, and I sit at a booth at the Lucky Cowboy.
“Manners, JB!” Mia says. “You and Ashley aren’t close enough yet to ask that personal of a question. And you’re even sober!”
Mia’s still breastfeeding, and she isn’t ready to drink alcohol yet, so she’s sipping on a Shirley Temple, and Jamie Beth is joining her. Haley and I are each two beers in.
Haley laughs, her pretty blue eyes sparkling with amusement behind her black cat-eye glasses. “No subtlety, Jamie.”
Jamie Beth tugs at her long red hair and groans. “I’m sorry, Ashley. My mouth opens before I can think sometimes.”
I wave off her apology. “I don’t mind the bluntness. It’s a relief in a way. No one from home dares to ask me what exactly is up between Jared and me.”
Haley tilts her blond head. “Are you and Jared more than friends?”
“We…” I inhale. “We never were. But there’s always been an undercurrent of…”
“Physical attraction?” Haley says breathlessly.
I nod. “I’ve never wanted to wade into that territory with him.”
“I understand,” Mia says. “These hockey boys take up a lot of space energetically.”
“For sure,” I say. “Jared is amazing and wonderful and the best guy, but I know how shitty he is at dating.”
“And that scares you?” Jamie Beth asks me.
“Terrifies is more like it.” I let out a shaky laugh. “My home life growing up sucked. That’s putting it mildly. So I’m not interested in any kind of relationship unless it’s top-notch. I want to be treated well. I deserve to be treated well.”
