Page 4 of Hooking a Firefly
“Right.”He sighed.Harrison could never win with her.“Then let’s go so they know I’m here.”
Ashlyn didn’t glance at him at all.She moved away from him to ensure there was not any more accidental touching.What was it about him that unnerved her so damn much?Maybe it was time to ask her what she saw that had made her run from him all those years ago.He couldn’t fight something he couldn’t see or even possibly prevent if he didn’t have a clue.The real question was, did he want to fight for her?She clearly didn’t think he was worth the effort.
Instead of engaging her in any more conversation, he went straight to the den.Everyone important to JD and Scarlett were there.Even one player on JD’s baseball team, Ezra Jones, was there.JD glanced over when he entered.“Finally,” JD greeted him.“I thought you would never get here.”
“Sorry, man,” he told him.“I didn’t realize you would all miss me.I had to make a pit stop on the way over.”What he’d had to do was go for a drive and get his head on straight, but he didn’t want to explain that.Ever.“I bet you’re all starving, waiting on me.”
“Not at all.”Scarlett beamed.“We just missed your handsome face.”
“Hey now,” JD said.“Don’t be saying things like that or I’ll think you intend to leave me for my best friend.”
Harrison grinned.“She’d never leave you.”He scratched his chin thoughtfully.“Though it would show good taste if she throws you over for me.”
JD chuckled, and then hugged him quick.As he stepped back, he said, “You know it wouldn’t last.If that ever happened, I’d have to kill you.”
“Of course,” Harrison agreed.“It would only be right.”
“You two are odd,” Ashlyn said.He glanced over at her and took in the scowl on her face.
“Don’t worry, doll,” Harrison said.“There’s enough of me to go around.I can give you some attention too.”He didn’t know what had gotten into him.He never teased Ashlyn, but the words slipped out of his mouth before he could stop himself.
She rolled her eyes.“Trust me when I say I’m not, nor will I ever be tempted by such an ignorant invitation.”
With those words, she moved past him and exited the den.Harrison barely held his smile in place as she left the room.This wasn’t about him or what he felt for the snarky woman who had left him in her dust.He would make it through this dinner, and maybe he could even take his heart with him when he left this time.
