Page 93 of Wild Ride

“What’s going on?” she asked her ex-husband.

“Just curious about what’s happening. If this Dex O’Malley character is inviting my daughter to hockey games, I’d like to meet him.”

That was two weeks ago. Why the sudden interest, Ashley had no idea. Greg was looking more shifty than usual, avoiding eye contact as he scoped out the shelter’s play area.

“Are Lottie and Emily okay?”

“They’re fine, but I do have some news. The Bunking with Butterflies thing is off.”

There it is. “What happened?”

“A bunch of the kids in Darren’s daughter’s friend group came down with an RSV infection so they had to cancel it.” Greg had asked a work colleague to include Willa in an upcoming event at the Nature Museum. Though, knowing Greg, he might not have arranged for Willa’s inclusion on the tour at all, and this was his way of weaseling out of it.

“How did she take it?” Because she looked fine … oh, no. “You didn’t tell her?”

“You’re so much better at those conversations than I am.”

“I’ve learned to be because I’m the only one willing to do it. You know, you can’t leave Lottie to all the hard convos with your other daughter.”

He shook his head, as if to say, Poor Ashley, of course I can.

Dex was just finishing up his chat with Sophie, who cast an assessing glance Ashley’s way, then averted her gaze quickly. Talking about her, she supposed. The Rebels PR lady did not approve of Ashley, that was for sure.

“What’s going on with you and the hockey player?”

Heat rose to her cheeks. “Why do you assume anything’s going on?”

“I came in during the filming. You were flirting with him—I remember that much!” His laugh sounded pitying. “I know he’s a manwhore but that’s probably not a good idea. Assuming he’d go for it.”

He’s already gone for it, Greg. Over and over and over …

Before she could respond, he added a rather cantankerous, “Inviting you to a hockey game is one thing, expecting anything else is quite another.”

“He was just being nice. To Willa.”

“And you had him over for dinner?” Greg shook his head, disbelief a negative energy field around him. “You’re not throwing yourself at him, are you?”

“More like the other way around,” came a sexy, graveled response. Dex’s strong arm circled her waist and pulled her back to his chest. His other arm was outstretched toward Greg. “Craig, is it? I’m Dex.”

“Greg,” he said, taking Dex’s hand and giving it a manly shake. “Ashley’s husband.”

“Ex-husband, right? You’ve come on a good day while we do some promo stuff for the shelter.”

“Yeah, I see.” Greg took another recce, noting the people fluttering about. “Is that Hale Fitzpatrick?”

“Yeah, he’s overseeing things. Big fan of this place. We want to make sure the Empty the Shelters event is a huge success this year. You planning to help out there?”

“Uh, no. I have a new baby, so all my time is taken with that.”

Dex rested his chin on Ashley’s head, a curiously comfortable gesture. His arm tightened, giving her strength. Greg’s dark gaze dipped to Dex’s thick, muscle-corded forearm, so at home around the body he’d rejected.

“Hi, Dex!” Willa left off from admiring Esme and Dex left off from holding Ashley. But she easily forgave him because he raised his hand to high five her daughter, who happily obliged.

“Hey, Sparkle, what’s the word today? Stump me.”

“Okay. It’s … peregrinate!”

“Right. I know that one.”

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