But as she shut down her computer to leave for her best friend’s welcome home party, butterflies zoomed around her stomach at light speed. Rarely rattled, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d been this nervous.
Over the past two months, Carly had missed Ashton…a lot. She’d lost her running partner and she hadn’t played a competitive game of racquetball since he left. She loved playing pool with him or joining him on boat rides down the Potomac. She missed his boisterous laugh, his too-loud voice, his generosity and loyalty, and how he’d make her laugh so hard her insides hurt. She also missed staring into those bright eyes or imagining what his lips would feel like pressed against her. How intoxicating it would be to run her fingers down his rock-hard chest. Or how good he’d feel inside her.
She’d debated whether or not to bring up his surprise visit. In her typical assertive approach to life, she mulled saying, “I’m sorry you didn’t stick around until after I’d finished coming.” Ultimately, she ruled out that conversation-starter. She’d also eliminated, “You looked like you got quite an eyeful.”
In the end, she decided that saying nothing was the smartest way to handle his pop-in. Maybe he’d forgotten.
Yeah, right.
Desiree bounded into her office. “You ready?” She narrowed her eyes. “No, you’re definitely not.”
“What’s wrong?” Carly slung her handbag over her shoulder.
“It’s Ashton’s homecoming. Let’s glam you up a little.”
When finished, Carly’s amateur makeup artist smiled. “Beautiful. He won’t be able to take his eyes off you.” Then, Desiree stepped back and crossed her arms. “Why don’t you show some boobage, woman? If you’ve got ‘em, flaunt ‘em.”
Wearing a black suit and long-sleeved white shirt, Carly had dressed to blend in. Hours earlier, she’d camped out in a five-star hotel lobby waiting for a client’s spouse to arrive with his alleged mistress. Once she’d snapped photos before and after his tryst, she returned to work. Doing right by a client sometimes meant proving they’d been deceived by the one they loved. With each betrayal, her conviction to guard her heart magnified.
Desiree scurried out, returning with a burgundy shawl. “Why don’t you undo a button or two on your shirt and take off that jacket? This pretty shawl adds some sexy-sexy.”
“I didn’t realize I was going for sexy-sexy.” But Desiree had a point, so she shrugged out of her jacket and draped the shawl around her.
“Don’t forget the button.”
She hesitated, then unbuttoned. Compared with what he saw, this is nothing.
Desiree scrunched up her face. “This is a party. You still look kinda…I don’t know…um…uptight.”
Boy, can she read me. Carly unclipped the second button. “I think we’re good. Let’s go.”
Time to face Ashton.
Fifteen minutes later, she parked on a side street, and she and Desiree walked toward the D.C. eatery, conveniently called “Hudson’s”. The restaurant was so busy, the crowd spilled onto the front patio. Clearly, everyone loved Ashton.
Not as much as I do.
“I’m helping Hudson behind the bar,” Desiree said.
“Maybe I should join you,” Carly said.
Desiree laughed. “That’s crazy! How will you talk to Ash if you’re busy pouring drinks?”
Exactly.
As soon as they squeezed inside, Desiree bolted, leaving Carly alone.
Though Ashton towered over most, she heard him before she spotted him. His booming voice thundered through the space. The familiar huskiness of his timbre paired with that contagious laugh sent tingles streaking through her. Freshly shaven, but still sporting that wild head of hair, Ashton stood in the center of a group doing what he did best.
Entertaining the masses.
Laughter reverberated from the group hovering around him. Pausing, she soaked up his beauty. She hadn’t seen his dirty blond hair that long since middle school. He had the most beautiful blue-green eyes that lit up whenever he smiled. But it was that smile that melted her heart.
I’ve missed him so much.
Rather than approach the man of the hour, Carly headed toward the bar. She needed a moment to calm her frenzied heartbeat and shake out the pins and needles in her fingers.
Desiree had slipped behind the counter, while Carly squeezed into a tight spot at the bar. Desiree dropped two napkins on the shiny wooden counter, then set down two bottles of beer. “For you.”
