Teasing You, page 3
“I hope you have other shoes with you, Ash. The boots are cute and I’m sure they’re comfy, but…”
“Of course I have other shoes,” she said. “They’re in my bag.”
But when she picked up her giant purse, the shoes weren’t there. “Oh, no…”
“What? What’s the matter?”
“They must have fallen out in the car when I threw all the bags in. Crap! Now I’ll have to run out there and grab them.”
Off in the distance, Ashlynn heard the doorbell ring and knew guests were starting to arrive. Maybe she could just borrow a pair of Avery’s shoes and not have to worry—which is what she asked her.
“Ash, you do this all the time. I’m a size nine and you’re a seven. I’m envious of your tiny feet. You’d fall and break your ankle if you tried to wear anything of mine.”
Damn. She always forgot that.
“Maybe I’ll text Chloe and ask her to bring shoes…”
“Why are you being so weird about this?” Avery asked with amusement. “Just go out to your car!”
It wasn’t that she was being weird so much as she really didn’t want to have to go back outside again. But…she didn’t have a choice.
“Fine. Let me grab all these bags and toss them out there too. One less thing to do later.”
“Good girl. Now I’ve got to go downstairs, so come and find me when you’re ready. Mwah!”
And she walked out without offering to help with any of the bags. Awesome.
With a weary sigh, she grabbed the hair and makeup bags and her giant purse. Glancing around, she remembered that one of the wait staff had taken her coat, so…that was happening.
“And now I’m going outside with no coat. Great.” But she knew the sooner she got this over with, the sooner she would be back inside and maybe having something warm to drink.
Or something not so warm to drink while she stood by the massive fireplace in the living room.
Feeling slightly better, she made her way down the stairs and secretly hoped one of the catering staff would be close by and offer to help, but no such luck. Pulling the door open, Ashlynn stepped outside and a string of curses was out as soon as the cold air hit her.
“Why didn’t I move someplace tropical when I had the chance?” she murmured through chattering teeth.
At the car, she yanked the door open and threw the bags in before bending over and practically crawling onto the back seat to grab her wayward sandals.
Then, two things happened at once, she overstretched and felt like she pulled her ribs apart—causing her to scream—and a strong wind blew, causing her skirt to fly up and exposing her bottom to the elements.
“Um…excuse me? Are you alright?” someone asked.
A male someone.
Perfect…I’m practically bare-assed and sprawled out on my back seat in freezing temperatures. Kill me now.
“Um…I’m not sure,” she replied. “I feel like I pulled something.”
“Okay, hold on. Let me help you.”
Ashlynn felt him first put something that felt like a coat over her, and then he reached in and gently pulled her out of the car. Her back was to him as he held her steady with one large hand splayed over her stomach.
“How do you feel?” he asked softly, his breath warm against her ear. “Can you move or twist? Where did you feel the pull?”
“My ribs,” she said as she carefully twisted to the right and then to the left. “Actually…now that I’m upright, it feels a bit better.”
“That’s good. What were you reaching for?”
“Oh, right.” She shook her head. “My shoes. They fell out of my bag and…”
“Here, let me get them for you.” He stepped around her and bent into her car, and she had no idea who he was or what he looked like—just that he was big.
But when he backed out of the car and straightened, she realized big didn’t really fully describe him. He was…well…he was tall and muscular and looked fantastic all dressed up. Dirty blonde hair that was cropped short, a strong jaw, kissable lips, and basically made a very appealing hero.
“Thank you,” she said softly. “I’ll wait until we’re inside to change into these.” She shivered. “Which we should probably head in because I’m sure you’re freezing since I’ve got your coat.”
“I’m fine,” he said, smiling down at her and yet looking at her like he was trying to place her.
Ashlynn turned to walk toward the house. “Aren’t you coming?”
He nodded. “I’m sorry, but…do we know each other? You look really familiar.”
Now that she studied him, she felt the same about him. “I grew up here in Sweetbriar Ridge. Did you?”
“I lived here for most of middle school and through the end of sophomore year of high school. I’m a friend of Leo’s and…”
Oh, no…it can’t be…
“Wait,” he said, and she knew in that instant that he’d recognized her. “AJ? Ashlynn Jane Donovan?”
Crap.
“It’s just Ashlynn now, or Ash,” she corrected. “Nobody calls me AJ anymore.”
He was smiling and then he was…laughing. Not hard, but enough to tell her he was probably remembering one of the last times she ever spoke to him because on that fateful night, she had inadvertently flashed him her underwear too.
Okay, laughing had clearly been a mistake.
And then comparing the hot pink panties she was currently wearing to the blue ones she wore at fifteen was a colossal mistake.
Ashlynn had stormed off into the house with a few choice words thrown at him, and Reid had stayed outside for a few minutes just to gather his wits.
And to give her a head start, since he was fairly certain she would not appreciate him being anywhere near her right now.
Tucking his hands in his trouser pockets, he let out a long breath—which he promptly saw right in front of his face. Ashlynn Donovan. Damn. It had taken him years to get up the courage to talk to her back when they were in school. He could still remember the party they were at, the people who were there, and what she was wearing. She’d been sweet and definitely a little flirty, and he remembered feeling nervous and excited to finally have the attention of the prettiest girl in school.
And he’d blown it then, just like he apparently blew it right now.
The cold was starting to seriously seep into his bones, and he had no choice but to go up and knock on the door. Ashlynn had simply walked right in, but he figured she knew the homeowners and he didn’t.
The tuxedoed person who opened the door smiled and welcomed him and pointed him in the direction of the bar and where most of the guests were. With a word of thanks, Reid immediately walked that way and thankfully spotted Leo.
“Hey! You made it!” They shook hands and his friend looked at him oddly. “Dude, you’re freezing. Didn’t you wear a coat?”
“Um…I did, but I temporarily lent it to Ashlynn Donovan and she took off with it.”
Leo frowned. “You lent your coat…?”
“Long story. I’m sure I’ll get it back later when it’s time to go.”
“Sorry I had to bail on you earlier. Avery’s father asked me to come early and help with a few things—which was a moot point because the caterers had everything under control. Honestly, I think he did it just to make sure I wouldn’t be late and upset his daughter.” He laughed before taking a sip of his champagne.
Reid had joined Leo and Avery for dinner the previous night and while he didn’t really know Avery well, it was obvious the two of them were head over heels in love and he seriously felt like a third wheel.
“How did it go at the fire station? Did you get to talk to anyone?”
The bartender handed Reid a beer and he thanked him before answering Leo. “I did. I spoke to their captain and told him how I used to live here and that I submitted my application. He seemed like a really nice guy—older, widower—and he gave me a tour of the station.”
“Isn’t it just a garage and like…two rooms?”
Reid chuckled. “Basically. It’s much smaller than where I am now, but he said they’re building a larger station because of the influx of homes and businesses, so…” He shrugged. “It all sounds promising and like it’s going to be happening really fast. Whoever this investor is who’s doing the resort, he’s making things happen and wants to be sure all bases are covered so the town and the resort have all the services and facilities they’ll need.”
“I heard it was some billionaire guy out of North Carolina,” Leo said. “Not that it matters. As long as it’s bringing business here to Sweetbriar, I’m thrilled. And you heard Avery last night, she’s hoping they’ll build a mall or at least bring in some of the bigger retail stores.”
“I don’t know. Part of what I always loved about this town was how small it was. I had moved around so much and lived in a lot of big cities, but this always felt more like home. I hope they don’t change things too much.”
“Change is good, my friend.” Then he glanced around the room and waved to someone. “Are you going to be okay to mingle? My mother is waving me over.”
“Go. This is your big night and I’ll be fine,” he assured him. But as soon as Leo walked away, Reid realized that he didn’t recognize anyone there.
Then he spotted Ashlynn standing by the fireplace talking to another woman who—if memory served—was actually her twin sister. They were fraternal twins, but there were enough similarities that you knew they were related.
“I really should apologize,” he quietly murmured to himself. “And find out where my coat is for later.” And with a steadying breath, he made his way across the room.
Her eyes narrowed when she spotted him, but Reid wasn’t going to be deterred.
When he stopped beside her, he politely smiled. “Ashlynn,” he said with a slight bow of his head, and then looked at the other woman. “Hi, I’m Reid Baylor.” Then he held out his hand to her.
She was pretty and obviously a little on the shy side because she blushed as she shook his hand. “Chloe Donovan. You and I had Spanish together in tenth grade.”
Recognition finally hit. “That’s right! Senora Ramirez!” he said with a small laugh. “She was tough.”
Chloe nodded in agreement, holding her glass of wine in both hands. “She really was. That was the first class I almost failed.”
“I barely squeaked by with a D. And the weird thing is I did really well with it in college. Go figure.”
“She wasn’t a great teacher.” Then she looked at her sister. “Remember how you transferred out of her class after the first week?”
Ashlynn shot Chloe an annoyed look. “Yes, I remember. And remember how disappointed mom was?”
“Oh. Right. Sorry.” Chloe gave them both an apologetic smile. “So, Reid, where do you live now?”
“I’m currently up in Roanoke, but I might be moving back here to Sweetbriar soon.”
“Really?”
“What?!” Ashlynn said with open hostility. “Why?”
Now it was his turn to give her an annoyed look. Cute ass and sexy underwear aside, she was being totally rude right now. “Because I’ve applied to the Sweetbriar Fire Department,” he said with a little more snap than was considered polite.
“You’re a firefighter? That’s very cool,” Chloe said, and he could tell she was trying to defuse the situation. “How long have you been doing that?”
“Since I was fourteen.”
“Seriously?” Ashlynn asked with heavy sarcasm. “You were a fireman at fourteen?”
Ashlynn was still staring at him and he was staring right back. “Actually, I joined the Junior Fire Fighters Program at fourteen, and I’ve officially been part of a squad since I was eighteen,” he replied. “I’m working my way up the ranks, and with the expansion to the squad going on here, I figured I’d apply.”
“Why would you want to come back to a small town where nothing ever happens when you could stay in a big city? Wouldn’t you be able to climb the ranks faster there?” Ashlynn asked. “Old Bob Banks has been the head of the fire squad here since we were all in elementary school. No one’s moved up the ranks here. They just move away.”
He shrugged, once again refusing to be deterred. “I think he may be getting ready to retire. Not that I think I’m going to get his position, but I still think this could be a great move for my career.”
They both grew quiet and apparently stuck in a glaring contest that had neither of them willing to look away.
“Um…I see Katie Ballard over there. I’ll talk to you both later,” Chloe said quietly before slipping away.
Reid’s eyes were starting to hurt, and he totally looked away first. “God, are you always this stubborn?”
“Me? How was I being stubborn? You were the one staring at me!”
“Only because you were staring at me first!” he countered. “Jeez. What is your problem?”
Her chocolate brown eyes went wide. “Seriously? You stood out there and laughed in my face while talking about my underwear.” And yeah, her teeth were clenched pretty tight. “It was completely insulting, Reid.”
Sadly, she had a point.
“Okay, fair enough. I’m sorry. I never should have laughed, but you have to admit…it’s kind of funny how the last time we talked to each other and then tonight sort of…you know…it was similar. Like a pair of bookends, but with…um…”
She leaned in close. “Think very carefully about your next words,” she warned. “Because if you’re about to call my ass a pair of bookends, I swear I will…I will…” With a huff, she took a step back. “Just…go away, alright? Find someone else to talk to!” And with that, she walked away in a flurry of hot pink and rhinestones and that flirty skirt that was swishing from side to side as she walked.
And he knew what she had on underneath, and that was just wreaking havoc on him.
I need to find someone else to talk to. Fast.
For the rest of the night, it was a little like a game of cat and mouse. Or maybe an elaborate game of chess. Either way, Reid was enjoying himself just watching Ashlynn’s reaction to him every time he walked into a room or maybe got too close. Fortunately, no one else seemed to notice. Well, maybe her sister, but everyone else was completely oblivious.
When it was near midnight and half the guests had gone, he finally caught up with Leo again. “You ready to go or are you staying to help with stuff around here?” he asked, since it was Leo’s apartment he was going back to.
“I’m probably going to stay for a while. You have the spare key, right? So go on without me and I’ll see you in the morning.”
That was more than okay with him. It had been a long day and he was kind of beat. All he needed was his coat and…
Crap.
“Um…do you know where the coats are?” he asked Leo.
“There’s a guy by the door who was handling them.”
“Thanks.”
But when he asked the guy at the door, he went to the closet where all the coats had been checked and his wasn’t there. He knew Ashlynn was still here and now he had no choice but to talk to her and ask where she put his coat earlier. She must have noticed what he was doing because suddenly she was walking his way with a smile that could only be described as devious.
“Are you leaving?” she asked sweetly. “Heading back to Roanoke tonight?”
Sliding his hands into his pockets, he nodded. “I’m staying at Leo’s and heading home tomorrow night.”
“Good for you.”
“Do you happen to remember where you put my coat when you came in earlier? It’s not here in the closet where all the other guests’ coats were, so…”
She smiled at the attendant before looking at Reid. “I didn’t hang it up in there. I had to run upstairs right away and tossed it in the guestroom. I’m sure you’ll find it there.”
“The guestroom?” He glanced around. “Yeah, I’m not sure where that even is, and I greatly doubt Avery’s parents would appreciate me poking around upstairs. Can you just…can you show me where it is?”
He expected a fight, but she simply shrugged. “Sure. Follow me.”
Like he had a choice.
Keeping a respectable distance as they climbed the stairs, she made small talk with him.
“Did you enjoy the party?”
“I did. Everyone was really nice and there were more than a few familiar faces—well, after Leo pointed out that they were familiar—so it was good.”
“And the food was delicious, wasn’t it?”
“Definitely.”
“My sister—not Chloe, but my older sister Billie—made all the desserts. Did you try the cake?”
“I did and it was seriously one of the best cakes I’ve ever had. Does she own a bakery?”
They were at the top of the stairs and heading down the hallway. “No, but she works at the local coffee shop and does all their baking. It’s called Books & Beans. You should check it out before you leave tomorrow.” She paused outside one of the doors. “This is the guestroom. Your coat’s on the bed.” She paused for a moment; her head tilted as she studied him. “Um…are you allergic to cats?”
“No, why?”
She smiled up at him. “No reason. Have a good night.”
And as weird as that seemed—her just walking away—he didn’t think much of it.
Until he opened the door and found a white Persian cat curled up on his coat.
Son of a…
The cat blinked up at him and took its time getting up and stretching before allowing him to pick the coat up.
His black wool coat was now heavily covered in white fur.
Well played, Ashlynn. Well played.
With a sigh, he walked out of the room with his coat on his arm and closed the bedroom door. Downstairs, he flagged Leo over and asked for a lint brush.
“Who the hell put your coat in there? All the coats were supposed to be hung in the front closet!” He looked around furiously, but Reid knew he had to calm him down.
“It’s not a big deal. Remember when I mentioned lending my coat to Ashlynn?”
“Yeah?”
“Apparently, she wore it upstairs and tossed it in the guestroom. It’s fine. I…I kind of deserved it.”
