Ashrika
“HEY, RIKA, I’M DONE.”
I looked up from stacking the last of the leftovers in the refrigerator as Leah entered through the rear door. She’d gone out to discard the garbage for the evening.
“Thanks, Leah.” I waited for her to finish washing her hands. “I’ll lock up behind you. I’m beat and looking forward to a nice hot shower.”
She dried her hands and looked up. “Sounds like a plan, if you can get rid of our last diner first.”
Glancing at the clock above the door, I frowned. “Last diner? It’s 10.45p.m. The kitchen’s been closed for forty-five minutes already.” My frown deepened. She grinned. “Please don’t tell me.” That look on her face was all the confirmation I needed that Trent was still there. “God, the man is persistent,” I moaned. After the club incident, I forgot my discussion with Tia about giving him a chance to discuss the job opportunity. I probably would have, had he not surprised me at the Dr. Landers’ office. Zayne and Tia had yet to give me a suitable explanation of what Trent was doing there. It was a pointless avoidance. Puffing out my cheeks in a frustrated breath, I glanced at her. “Did you tell him we’re closed?”
“I tried. Tia is with him now, but he won’t leave unless he speaks to you.” Leah neared me. “I know we joked about it that night of Nina’s shower but maybe you should give it a try, Rika.”
“What?”
“Him.” Her smile wasn’t the usual tease but a gentle coaxing.
“I don’t understand.”
She neared me. “Look, you were the one that told us you and Zayne are married in name only, right.” I nodded, wondering where she was going with that. “You also mentioned he hasn’t tried anything, like, you know, come onto you and stuff.”
“And your point?”
“You need a change of scenery. You need—”
“Sex.” Tia entered the kitchen.
“Seriously?” I stared at my friend like she’d somehow lost a couple of marbles between yesterday and today. “How did that man’s intentions go from wanting to offer me a job to wanting to...” I trailed off, any sexual thoughts about him were asking for trouble. The fact that he’d become a permanent resident in my dreams since meeting him and the heated looks he sent my way proved that point already.
“Fuck you?” Tia’s brow shot up before she sighed. “Leah’s right. You’re stuck in this place twenty-four seven—”
“Are you forgetting Nina’s bridal shower and how that ended?” I scoffed.
“I’m sorry that happened, babe. We drank a lot, well, you mostly because you were trying to curb your anxieties. That said you did havethatgorgeous man save you.” She jerked a thumb over her shoulder toward the dining area with a chuckle. I glowered at her and Leah as they both giggled like gushing teens. “You never did tell us what happened after he took you home. A kiss perhaps?”
“Go jump off the pier, Tia,” I grunted. While I was still blown away by his impudence at Landers’ rooms, I should’ve thanked him for saving me instead of coming across like an insolent child.
“Oh, come on, Rika. That was just one night in like three years since knowing you. You rarely go out unless Zayne forces you,” she snapped, mistaking my irritation for her forcing me to go out that night and the ensuing events.
