I cringed as Mother joined us. She was alone, at least, having dropped the woman she’d had in tow earlier.
“Mother.” I bowed my head in greeting. “This is Ashley …”
“Brandt,” Ashley supplied and nodded at my mother. “Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise, dear.” Mother tapped her chin. “Brandt. Why does that sound familiar?”
“I’ve no clue,” Ashley said. “I’m event crashin’, but this doesn’t look much like the bachelorette party I thought it was.”
Mother’s eyes went round, and I bit off a bark of laughter.
“Hmm,” Mother finally said, then to me added, “Darling, I have some people I want to introduce you to, if you could …” She didn’t finish, implying I needed to wrap things up with the woman who didn’t meet her standards.
“Of course,” I said automatically, but before I could think better of it, words were flowing out of my mouth. “Ashley, it was a pleasure to meet you. Hopefully, we can continue this discussion at a later time?”
Mother’s jaw dropped, and Ashley froze like a trapped animal.
“Oh, um. I …”
I pulled out my phone, not taking no for an answer. One way or another, Mother would ensure I dated women, and this time, I would choose the woman. Ashley seemed clever and was entertaining and pretty. It wouldn’t be a hardship for once.
“Can I get your contact details?”
Ashley licked her lips before biting one as she took my phone and entered her number. “Okay, sure.”
Mother harrumphed, waited until Ashley handed my phone to me, and then grabbed my arm. “Really, Luke,” she grumbled as she dragged me away.
Ashley stayed rooted in place. I glanced back more than once. Her head cocked to one side, deep in thought, perhaps, and then Marilyn Monroe rushed to her side.
The next hour or so was a parade of introductions. I remained detached and as far to the edge of polite as I could be.
Mother could roll her eyes all she wanted, but I’d done what she’d asked. She wouldn’t demand I didn’t follow through with Ashley, but she sure let me know she wasn’t happy about it. And as much as my upbringing would allow, I let her know I didn’t care. Even went so far as to decide to ask Ashley to meet me after the event. No time like the present to ensure I was unavailable for any and all of Mother’s plans for my near future.
When our paths had somewhat crossed in that hour, Ashley and I smiled at each other as if we shared a secret. I could honestly say I’d never had this type of immediate connection with a woman before. Where she was currently, I didn’t know, but with any luck, she hadn’t left the event.
She’d saved her name asAshin my contacts. Here was hoping she had her phone in that tiny purse she carried and that she’d reply.
Hello, this is Luke. We met tonight.
Ash
Luke? No, not ringing any bells.
Smirking, I turned, putting my back to the crowd for a semblance of privacy.
We were nearly betrothed?
Ash
Oh, that Luke.
Jesus, woman. How many men did you seduce tonight?
Ash
Was that what I did? Wow, you were kind of easy. I won’t tell anyone.
Lol, you’re a bit crazy. Are you busy after this?
