Chapter 14
Chase hadn’t intended to ask Ashley her opinion, but then, it was her or Beth. And he really did not want advice from his sixteen-year-old sister on picking dates. If he and Ashley were only friends and always would be, there was no point in avoiding her as a resource.
Ashley looked taken aback, but she quickly recovered and scooted her chair closer so they wouldn’t be overheard. “It’s not crazy … just a little … unexpected.”
“I’ll never meet someone if I don’t try something new. And I’m not interested in going with Yolanda and her friends for drinks after work.”
Ashley shook her head as if she were trying to shake off the shock of his statement. “I didn’t think you were … I guess I never thought … never mind.” She turned red and looked away. “What sites have you looked at?”
“None yet.” He studied her face, trying to understand her reaction, but whatever she’d been feeling was now well hidden.
“My roommate, Lina, has tried a few. Can I get back to you? I could text her at lunchtime and ask.”
“You’ve never tried online dating?”
“Nope. But considering my luck, maybe that should be my next move. You know, if I ever want to date again.” She kept tugging on the bar pendant around her neck, and he did his best not to stare at it. The necklace was the last of the items he’d bought online, and though the secret admirer thing had turned into a bust, she might as well enjoy the gifts.
“Well, I’ll be your guinea pig and let you know how it goes.” He smiled, and she sort of returned the expression. He knew dating and exes was still a sore subject for her. He wanted to ask about Reid, but he didn’t want to upset her, and frankly, he was afraid of the answer. He couldn’t protect her from the guy if a part of her wanted Reid back in her life.
“What type of girl are you looking for?” Ashley asked.
This was so awkward. Chase scratched his head. “You know, someone who won’t be shocked that I have three kids at home.”
“You’re not even twenty-five. Is anyone ever not shocked?” Ashley leaned closer. “Honestly, I’d leave the kids out of it. I wouldn’t even mention them until a couple dates in, just to be safe.”
“Safe from what?”
“I don’t know. Maybe it’s different for guys. But if it was me, I wouldn’t want anyone near my kids until I knew them really well.”
“What about someone who has kids too?”
“She’ll come with an ex and trust issues. It’s not the same as your situation.”
True. That was something he hadn’t fully considered. “Yeah, I hadn’t considered the baggage that comes with former relationships. You make this sound like a wade through a swamp.”
“I’m being too negative. You’re right.” Ashley looked away, focusing on Flynn who was banging his fist down on their mostly unreliable copy machine. “Chase, you’re quite a catch. I’m sure you’ll find someone perfect for you.” She stood and brushed off her skirt, smoothing out the wrinkles. “I better get back to work.”
***
Ashley’s phone vibrated with a text just as she was about to leave for her lunch break, and she pulled it out of her purse.
We should catch up.
She dropped her phone onto the desk with a clatter, and it slid to the floor.
Flynn clapped. “Nice one, Rocky. You crack it?”
Chase looked over with concern, but Ashley didn’t want him to worry. He’d go into super-protective guy-mode. And Reid asking to reconnect was just another example of her messy history that always seemed to catch up with her. Clearly, Chase had a problem with her history. She couldn’t think of a bigger man-repellent than an emotionally fragile woman. That’s all she was to him. Another problem when he didn’t need anymore.
“Nope, it’s fine.” She examined her phone for damage, more for Flynn’s benefit than her own and hurried outside to get lunch. Why hadn’t she changed her number like Paige suggested? And why was Reid texting her, more than a year after their breakup?
She went back to the message and clicked on the number, blocking it. Something she should have done a long time ago. Then she called Lina. Thank goodness they had matching lunch hours, though Ashley needed to hurry to her job interview soon.
“Hey, can I ask you about something?”
“Are you finally going to tell me the truth about your date?” Lina asked. Of course, her intuitive roommate would know she’d been lying last night.
Ashley stood at the end of the line at her favorite burger place and looked around for listening ears. The guy in line in front of her was busy watching the sports highlights on his phone. “Let’s just say it’s a long story that doesn’t end well. I think you’re wrong about Chase. He does only want to be friends. Today he asked me if he should try online dating.”
