“You sound surprised,” I say. “But you already knew that.”
“I did. But it means a lot to me that you do. It’s something I’ll never take for granted, Ash. You’ve always had more faith in me than anyone.”
“Your family has faith in you.”
“I know. But it’s different with you.” I feel him hesitate like he’s going to say more, but he doesn’t.
And that’s for the best. Whatever he was going to say, it had the potential to lead us into dangerous territory. I’m not his sibling. I’m his friend. A friendship that can morph into more if we’re not careful.
Especially since I’m sharing a bed with him.
Time to create some necessary distance, Ash.
I shift forward and slip out from under Jared’s arm.
“I’m thankful you brought me here tonight, but I think I’m ready to go.”
He brushes a light kiss to my temple. “Let’s go home.”
CHAPTERTWELVE
Jared
Here comes the part of the day I’m starting to both dread and crave.
Sleeping next to Ashley and pretending it’s no big deal is next to impossible.
But I’m doing my best to handle it.
I’m learning that having a third body in the bed helps. Louie is a good distraction, and she likes to sleep at the foot of the bed between mine and Ashley’s feet. Any way to put distance between me and the woman lying next to me is a good thing. My body wants nothing more than her on top of me so I can do all the dirty things I’m fantasizing about. Instead, I keep my hands to myself and don’t move.
Grappling for a way to bring normalcy to the cloud of sexual tension in the room, I break the silence.
“Did you have fun tonight?” I ask her as we lie motionless on our backs.
I’m as far away from her as possible without falling off the bed, and she’s the same on her side.
“I did. Mia was so nice to invite me out.”
“I’m sure you miss Win and Peyton.”
“I do. But Winter was in New York for so long that we got used to staying close by phone. And Peyton travels a lot.”
“I’ve found when the people in our life really matter to us, distance doesn’t hurt the relationship. Max and I are still just as tight with Liam and Hunt despite us living miles away.”
“It’s a small miracle that the four of you are only on two different teams rather than four,” she says.
“True. God willing it worked out that way.”
A short silence hits the room.
Until Ashley breaks it. “I do have something to tell you, J.”
“I know. You have for a long time.”
“You’re right.” Pause. “How do you know that?”
I can hear the surprise in her voice.
