“I’m not the fangirl type.” She shrugged. “Too busy with important things to follow any one band. I know what I like, but I can barely match a band with one of their songs. My brother likes Angel Fire and plays them nonstop. That’s the only reason I even know who that band is.”
A line formed between his brows. “Important things? Like what?”
“Well, like medical school, residency, and studying my ass off to pass the boards. I rarely listen to music, but I know what I like. That’s pretty much the end of it.”
Forest managed their shared music files. She’d push shuffle and let the music run, skipping over the tracks she didn’t like. Otherwise, she wouldn’t pay much attention. Forest, on the other hand, knew every band, every song, and the name of every musician, but then he knew just about everything.
“Oh.” A frown crossed his face and then disappeared. He downed the last of his coffee and chewed his lower lip. “Look, I know your life might be a bit complex right now, but it sounds to me like you should reevaluate your priorities.” He traced a circle over her kneecap.
She batted his hand away. “I don’t want to talk about my fiancé.”
“Asshat is back to being your fiancé?” He drew a heart shape on her upper thigh. “With the way you were kissing me, I’m surprised.”
“I said it was complicated. I’m taking the next three days to figure things out.” She waved her hands in the air. “My boss has a cabin, and he’s letting me use it. Just me, the woods, and miles of hiking trails to sort out my head.”
“What about your heart? You forgot about your heart. And where’s Mr. Asshat going to be?”
“He’s away on business.”
Ash grew silent for a long moment. “Three days?”
She nodded.
“Alone, in a cabin, in the woods, by yourself?” He looked at her like she was crazy.
Another nod. She wished he’d stop giving her that look. She wasn’t crazy.
“Interesting.”
She tucked her chin and glanced at him sideways. “How is that interesting?”
More silence.
Then, he suddenly leaned forward. “Do you believe in fate?”
With her history?“No, I don’t believe in fate.”What child deserved the hell she and Forest had endured?
“I do.” He stood and held out a hand. “Come.”
“Excuse me?”
“I happen to have three days free.”
“And?”
“I’m coming with you.”
“Um…what?” Her heart dropped, pounding fast and furious with the butterflies Ash had set aflight in her stomach.
He pulled her into his arms. “It’s time to uncomplicate your life. Last night, we missed each other, but now, we have a second chance. Looks like I have three days to persuade you to take a chance on someone who won’t treat you like your asshat ex.”
“What do you mean, like he treats me? You barely know me. I find it a bit presumptuous of you to judge me, my life, or the man I intend to marry.”
He tilted his sunglasses down, looking over the rim, letting her know exactly how serious he was. Velvet green held her captive. “You’re not marrying him. You and I both know this. Now, let me show you why.”
“I’m sorry, but you can’t invite yourself along on my trip. I don’t know anything about you.”
“You’re right. You don’t know me at all, but you want to.”
