Page 118 of Ashley & the A-Listers

Ashley cleared her throat and shrugged, tugging at her tank strap. “One step at a time, Nic.”

His gaze latched onto the bite, and his mouth dropped… along with every single paper he was holding.

“Nic!” she whined, and crouched down to help him collect them.

She was vaguely aware of him lowering to gather a few himself, but she felt his stare. “Not the omega, though,” he guessed.

Protected by the counter, she knew no one would overhear her when she hissed, “No. The bodyguard, Dylan. We grew up together.”

“The one who got away,” Nic murmured. “God, that’s so sweet, Ashley!” he said, voice rising a few octaves. “I would hug you if it wouldn’t make my omega grumpy.”

“I accept the sentiment,” she drawled. “You’re unhealthily invested in my love life.”

“Listen, as a happily mated beta, I have to find the entertainment somewhere. I’m a romantic at heart, and I just want to see you happy.” He paused, rocking back on his knees. “And I have to say, after so many years of working alongside you, it’s a good look on you.”

Ashley handed him back the papers she’d collected, feeling color draw to her cheeks. “Well. Thanks, boss. Is it so obvious?”

“You’ve been smiling all morning,” he informed her.

Ashley groaned and got to her feet, helping Nic up with a hand. He huffed like an old man and she snickered at him.

“Wow, you’re gonna have, like, a whole pack!” Nic said, following her lead and keeping his voice down.

“Oookay, slow down, there. No one said anything about that,” she whispered. “Like I said, one thing at a time.”

Nic nodded as if he completely understood. Then he winked, which had to mean the opposite, right?

Ashley’s eye twitched.

If everyone kept assuming she was getting all packed up, she might actually start coming around to the idea.

Which is not what she just vowed to herself half an hour ago!

“I’ll keep it quiet. I can see you’re worried,” he said. “Congrats, Ashley. You deserve it.” He squeezed her arm. “Now I’ll get back to doing my actual job.” He waved the hand holding the papers and disappeared into the back.

Ashley shook her head well after he was gone, and chuckled softly.

It dawned on her then that he was the first person she’d told. With no one at the counter, Ashley pulled out her phone to check her group text with Jordan and Kenzie.

She was sure they’d be excited for her once they heard the whole story, and yet her stomach quivered with nerves as she imagined telling them.

Yeah, so, you know that guy who disappeared for ten years and mysteriously showed up again at my gym? Well, I forgave him and now we’re going to be together forever!

She snorted, and found no messages awaiting her. The last was an update about Jordan’s brother, who they’d gone to visit after he’d been in a wreck. He should’ve been released from the hospital by now, and she was taking their silence as good news.

Ashley sent them a quick message anyway and then put her phone away, focusing on work once more.

She missed her friends. They often stayed over at her house, making the place not feel so lonely.

Ashley envisioned going back that night, and frowned.

She was a freshly mated alpha who… was going to sleep alone tonight?

She had to stop herself from visibly pouting before she talked herself out of her disappointment.

It might not have been usual, but what part of her and Dylan’s journey had been usual thus far?

He was in the middle of a job where he couldn’t leave his client, and that was fine!

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