"O-kay," she said in an enthusiastic tone that made Ash smile.
Audrey peeked in on them. She waved and mouthed the words 'thank you' while Luna was looking down at the books.
Ash read a book about penguins to Luna. It wasn't educational but rather a storybook about a penguin family. She had told him it was a series, but they only read one. Lu fell asleep with him sitting next to her. She was sleeping soundly—he could tell by her face and her breathing. He could hear Audrey from down the hall. He heard footsteps, and he knew she was coming around the corner any second.
She came in quickly, but she stopped short when she realized Luna was sleeping. She made a face at Ash.
"Is she out?" she said, mostly mouthing the words.
He nodded.
She waved him forward, nodding and telling him to follow her. Ash got up carefully, and Luna didn't stir.
Audrey was waiting in the main room, near the door. She thanked him and made their goodbye brief. She did kiss him again, though. She gave him several sweet, light kisses—the kind that made him know she liked him a lot.
It was progress.
There had been so much progress.
His presence had comforted Luna, and despite being guarded, it had comforted Audrey, too. Her presence definitely comforted him. She came out of the bathroom, fresh out of the shower, smelling like soap and without a stitch of makeup on her face, and he wanted to spend every night with her and see her get out of the shower forever. For now, he would have to rely on knowing he would see her tomorrow.
Chapter 16
Ash
Two weeks later
~
Los Angeles, California
Ash stayed at Judd's place while he was in Los Angeles. Judd was single, and he had the extra room, so he offered. Ash didn't want to cramp his style. He stayed out a lot and really only slept there, but he and Judd hung out sometimes, and last night was one of those times.
Ash was now with Sam. The director of their film, Luke Cohen, had two different houses that he was considering for filming. Ash and Sam were to tour both of them and see which one they felt more comfortable in. The first one was the home of the director's friend. It was closer to ready than the other home they looked at, but this one was lived-in. The people were home when Ash and Sam went by, but they stayed on the patio while the guys looked around.
The two of them were just about to arrive at the second house.
"This one's vacant," Sam said as they pulled into the sloped driveway.
"It seems more run-down than the last one," Ash said.
"They must be the same layout on the inside," Sam said. "They've got to match all the pictures of the band house."
"So, I guess if we pick the last one, they'll have to move all their stuff out of the house and let us take it over for a month?"
"Yes," Sam said. "But I'm sure Luke's going to make it worth it for them."
They parked in the driveway and got out of the car. There was a lockbox on the door, and they had a code.
"I feel like that's not worth the inconvenience, and we should pick this one," Ash said.
"I'm sure it's expensive either way. With this one, they have to buy it now and keep it vacant until October when we start filming."
"Yeah, I guess you're right," Ash said as they walked inside. "First impression is that I feel more comfortable in that other one," Ash said, looking around.
"Yeah, I hear you. This one needs cleaning, but I can see where it's the same house, basically. This one needs work."
"Ooh, there is a pool and a patio," Ash said, looking through the kitchen. "This might make it worth it."
