She nodded. “It didn’t go well.”
He wanted to know all about Spike’s piercings and if she’d noticed if they were gold or silver studs. He claimed they had some significance. He asked all kinds of questions about the drummer, but she didn’t know which of the men played drums, and she didn’t want to get into an Angel Fire one-oh-one with Forest.
They launched into a discussion about the tribal tattoos Noodles sported. Then, he asked about Bash, wanting to know if his eyes really were as electric blue in person as they were on the album covers.
“I have no idea, considering I had to take him out.”
“You what?”
The explanation of subduing Bash led to another round of questions. She didn’t mind the barrage; it kept her from discussing the one person who made her heart ache.
Forest leaned forward. “My summer Skye, why are you so sad?”
“I miss him.”
She moved the conversation away from Ash to Spencer and how he’d trampled her heart. “I didn’t have the strength to give him back his ring, and when Ash didn’t show up, I figured it was better to have someone in my life rather than no one.”
“I’m in your life.”
She stretched out a hand and dared to touch his knee.
He flinched, and she withdrew her fingers.
“What matters is, I realizedwhyI needed Spencer. Then, Ash walked into my life and turned it upside down. He believes it’s fate.”
“Those bitches suck.”
That was their go-to line.
“Yeah, but Ash believes we were destined to meet. As crazy as it sounds, and I don’t even know why I agreed, but he convinced me to let him join me on my trip.” She breathed out a sigh and remembered the joy that was Ash. “I don’t know if it was because I was so emotionally raw after catching Spencer with that woman or if I’m crazy, but taking a chance on Ash was the best decision I ever made.”
“I’m not sure about the best decision. You wound up married without realizing it. And you claim I’m the one who needs a babysitter.”
He was right on that point.
“It doesn’t really matter. I ended it, and I have to work in the morning. I guess we’ll meet with the lawyers after my shift to figure out the next step?”
Forest sipped on his water. “You’re evading the question. I’m asking, what do you want to do about yourhusband?”
She scrunched her face. “You said I could get it annulled.”
“You don’t sound like someone who wants to end things.”
She lifted her hands in the air, palms up. “I left him, Forest. I’m not sure I can be any clearer in what I want.”
“I’ll do whatever you want. I’m your shoulder to cry on. Just tell me what you need.” He stared out the window at the sun setting over the clouds.
She needed a shoulder she could lean on and arms that would lock her in tight. She needed Ash. His intensity. His laughter. Ash’s touch. Hell, something as simple as his smell would do.
She needed to know she’d made the right choice.But, if she was leaving him, why did every thought begin and end with him?
Unfortunately, her little beanpole couldn’t give the physical comfort she needed. He would give everything else, but he couldn’t give a basic hug.
She stared out into the sunset as the sky deepened toward night.
Chapter Twenty
Forest had arrangedfor a driver to meet them at the airport, and they traveled to Skye’s brownstone in a black limousine. She would have taken a cab, but Forest had refused. While he’d said he didn’t like spending their hard-earned cash, he certainly had little difficulty with splurging on the finer things in life. Maybe she should have Forest take care of retrieving her stuff from Bob’s cabin. Ash could take care of his Jeep.
