New plan. Man up, as Ethan said. Treat her with respect, and nothing more.
The Grab-n-Go is one of those small-town grocery stores that could never exist anywhere else. Stepping into it feels like a bit of a time warp, with its fluorescent lighting and layout that hasn’t been updated in decades. But it’s got everything I need, and there’s bigger stores a short distance away in Westport. One thing that is really bugging me about my house still not being fixed is the lack of kitchen space. Sure, there is one at the Airbnb, but it’s not the same as my own. And any time I cook there, I feel guilty for not offering food to Ashley. Granted, she’s rarely home at the same time as me, and when she is, she’s kept her bedroom door closed, so it’s not like I have ignored her anytime I’ve made dinner.
Tonight I’m just getting a few essentials that I can turn into quick meals. The reality is, I eat breakfast at the bakery most days, and lunch tends to be whatever I have on hand at the winery. Protein bars, shakes, easy stuff that I can get down quickly in the middle of my workday. But I miss making a full dinner. Even cooking for just myself, there is something so satisfying about taking a pile of ingredients and creating a meal.
Tossing a package of beef jerky into my basket, I scan the shelves, searching for something to satisfy my sweet tooth. My weakness for candy isn’t something many people know about and I pride myself on eating healthy most of the time. But there’s something about Twizzlers, or jelly beans, that is just so damn satisfying in the evening. Grabbing a bag of each, I walk to the end of the aisle and turn into the next one, only for my footsteps to come to an abrupt halt. At the other end of the aisle, Ashley is reaching up to get something off the top shelf, and her sweater is riding up, revealing a sliver of skin that shouldn’t be as tantalizing as it is. I take a step forward to help her, but she pulls down whatever she was after and turns away before I can get to her.
That’s fine. I’m not really wanting to see her right now, anyway. Honestly, I’m still so damn confused by my conversation with Ethan earlier. Okay, I’m attracted to Ashley. A lot. It’s not just her beauty, it’s her personality. Her warm kindness, her sense of humour, and the fire I see in her. And yes, rationally, I know Ashley isn’t the same as Cassandra, the server from the winery that made me lose my job last year. Cass loved drama and couldn’t accept the fact that I wasn’t looking for anything serious. When she couldn’t convince me otherwise, she decided to do what she did best and cause trouble. Ashley is way more down to earth and calm; I can tell. And hey, maybe the fact that she isn’t staying in town for long would mean she’s open to something casual.
But there’s still Pierre to think of. He cares about her, and he’s got some pretty traditional ideas and morals. I can’t imagine him approving of me having a fling with Ashley, even if it were something we both wanted.
I pay for my groceries and head out to the parking lot, still lost in thought. Just as I reach my car, I hear a familiar voice cursing. Casting a look around, I see Ashley bent over the open hood of her car, that sweater riding up again. Fuck. I can’t walk away from her. It’s dark and cold, and obviously her car won’t start. There’s no way I would leave any woman in this kind of situation. I might be useless when it comes to the construction stuff that Ethan does, but even I know how to jumpstart a vehicle.
“Hey, Ashley, you need some help?” I call out after putting my groceries in the front seat of my car. Her head flies up so fast she hits it on the hood of her car, and I sprint over. “Shit, are you okay?”
She’s rubbing a spot and frowning, and I have to hold back from wanting to touch her and make sure she’s alright.
“Yeah. I’m fine. But maybe don’t sneak up on someone in a dark parking lot.” Her crabby response makes my lip twitch. I might be insane, but I’m starting to like it when she pushes back at me. She doesn’t take any shit, that’s for sure. It makes me want to push her buttons, tease her. If being a jerk to her didn’t help me keep my distance, maybe making her annoyed with me so she stays away will work.
“Sorry. I didn’t realize I was so sneaky; I was just coming to offer my help.”
Ashley barks out a laugh. “That’s funny. From what I hear, you’re not the handiest of guys.”
“I’ll have you know, I’m pretty good with my hands.”
Her eyes widen. “You did not just say that!”
I shrug. “Yeah, I did. Anyway, do you want me to jump-start you?” I wink, letting her know I realize I’m being over the top with innuendo. “Your car, I mean.”
She makes a small growl of frustration that’s actually adorable, and that’s not a word I use often. “Yeah, fine. Thanks.”
I nod and turn to walk back to my car. Once my back is to her, I reach down to adjust myself. Flirting obnoxiously is one thing, but letting her see that even when she’s being snarky she still turns me on is another.
A few minutes later my engine is running, the jumper cables connecting it to Ashley’s car engine holding strong. When I glance over at her, she’s rubbing her hands up and down her arms, still wearing only that damn sweater.
“Don’t you have a coat?”
Man, if looks could kill, I’d be toast.
“No, Dad, I don’t. I wasn’t exactly expecting this to happen. I thought I’d be home and in bed with my book club read by now.” Her voice is dripping with sarcasm.
Opening the door to my backseat, I grab the spare hoodie I have in there from the gym and toss it over. She catches it easily. “Thank you.”
Silence falls between us for a minute. I lean against my car and stuff my hands in my pockets. “What would you have done if I wasn’t here?”
She bites her lip, her eyes downcast. “Called Mila or Summer, I guess. Or gone inside to ask if someone could jump me.” She looks up, and narrows her eyes. “I know how to jump a car, too, Finn.”
“Never said you didn’t, princess.”
“Don’t call me that.” There’s a weariness to her tone that makes me pause.
“Why not?” I ask softly.
She seems to ponder my question, her eyes searching me for something, though I’m not sure what.
“It has some bad memories attached to it.”
I know that’s not the full answer, but I’ll take it for now. “Noted. No more princess.”
