I nod, keeping my face away from the cameras like the professional I am.
“What’s his sister like?” I turn to him with confusion. “You’re pretty good friends with her, aren’t you?”
Where didthatcome from—? “No,” I say automatically.
“Can you not use other words with me? I really don’t like it.No,” he says mockingly.
“How aboutnot on your life.You’re not nice enough for Sophie.”
“I’m nice.” Ashton pretends to be offended.
I raise an eyebrow.
“I’m nice enough.”
“Again—no.”
“See? You say that a lot, you know.”
“I’m very good at saying no.”
“Is that what you told the wannabe prince when he asked for the next date?”
Even though Ashton has no chance with Sophie and if he does continue to suggest he might, I will personally see that every single tire is slashed before his next race. “Spencer doesn’t want to be a prince and he didn’t ask for a date.”
“I’m sure he thinks he’s getting it.”
“I’m pretty sure he doesn’t now.”
Ashton laughs under his breath. “So here’s me trying the friend thing. Ready to learn all your deep, dirty dark secrets.”
“I don’t think anything is dirty dark, but sure. Go for it.”
Ashton is easy. I know what to expect from him, and even when he’s at his most flirtatious, I know nothing serious will ever happen between us. It makes him comfortable to be around, a quiet island in a sea of complications.
Not that my relationships with the other men are complicated, but this is only the beginning. And now that Spencer is here…
“What do you think of your boyfriend being here?”
I stifle my groan. “I really don’t want to talk about him.”
“That’s all anyone is talking about. You got to give me something to report back to the guys.”
I round on him. “I thought you wanted to be my friend, to hear my secrets. Secrets that you would keep secret.”
“Is that a rule or something?” But he nudges my shoulder with a smile as he says it. “I’m not anyone’s first choice to confide in, so give me a break.”
Is this Ashton trying to make me feel better? Weird. I roll my eyes. “Yeah, yeah. Here’s something. Spencer is not my boyfriend.”
“That’s not what my sister says.”
I keep my mouth shut. Fenella has her finger in all of the pies in Battle Harbour and I’m sure she’s heard all the stories about Spencer and me.
“Do you want him to be?” Ashton continues in a lazy voice. “Do you want him to be your boyfriend?”
I have to think about that because it deserves more than a snappy reply. “I want him to figure out what he wants.”
“That’s awfully nice of you. This is your show, you know, and if the dude didn’t know where his head is before he stepped footin this place, you should send him packing. There are other guys here who know they want you.”
