“But.” Ash raised one finger. “Not so that you can take on more to replace it.”
Carmen’s cheeks heated at being caught in exactly that thought. Ash was observant, apparently able to read Carmen even though they’d only spent a small amount of time together.
Carmen’s phone rang, cutting into her thoughts. A glance at the caller display showed her the name of one of her C-grade celebrities, one who insisted on speaking to her every week. She groaned, but before she could swipe her screen to answer, Ash closed a warm hand over hers on the phone.
“Leave it.” Ash’s voice was quiet yet firm. “They can leave a message, which you can deal with later. This is your me time. Keep it.”
Carmen stared into Ash’s eyes, so brown they were almost black, and any protest she’d been about to make died on her lips. Instead, a slow smile formed, and a warmth that had nothing to do with the weight of Ash’s hand on hers spread throughout her body.
Yes, this is my me time. She’s right . She eased her hand out from under Ash’s and hit the decline icon on the phone. “Thank you.”
Ash still leaned far forward in her chair, her hand now on the table in front of Carmen, as if hovering to make sure Carmen had done what she’d wanted her to. “You’re welcome.” Ash dipped her head; her fringe flopped forward, and as she sat up, she swept it casually back. Everything she did seemed imbued with a calm strength that Carmen could only envy.
Ugh, when did I let myself start feeling this way? As if everything is unmanageable?
“I should get back.” Carmen sighed and reached for her jacket.
Ash’s smile dropped. “You sure?”
“I’m afraid so. But…” Carmen hesitated. Should she? They’d shared some important things today, things that friends would share. And she’d definitely like to hear more about Ash’s travels, if nothing else.
Ash looked at her, one eyebrow raised in question.
“Well,” Carmen plunged on. “The thing is, I’ve heard about this new gin bar opening over in Shoreditch, and I wondered if you’d like to meet me there one evening.” A thought popped into her head. “Wait, do you even like gin?”
Ash smiled. “I do. And yes, I’d love to explore a new bar with you. That sounds cool.”
“Wonderful. I expect weekends will be far too busy there for a few weeks as they’re so new, but how about one weekday evening next week?”
“That sounds possible.” Ash checked her phone. “I could get away on Tuesday at seven or Wednesday at eight.”
Carmen picked up her phone, noting that there was indeed now a voicemail waiting for her. She scrolled to her calendar app. “Okay, Tuesday works!”
“You sound surprised.” Ash chuckled.
“I am. I can’t believe we didn’t have to dance around our calendars for ages to find something that fits.”
“Clearly, it was meant to be.” Ash flushed pink to her roots. “Oh God, that sounded like some cheesy line, didn’t it?”
“It’s fine. I mean, it was cheesy, but it’s fine.”
“You know I’m a lesbian, right?” Ash asked, her expression serious.
Ash’s confirmation of her sexuality wasn’t necessary, but Carmen also didn’t know why her skin tingled at the revelation. Carmen blinked at her. “Um, yes?”
“Okay. Good.” Ash ran a hand over the back of her head. “I just wanted to make sure there was no misunderstanding going on. This”—she pointed between them—“is just a budding friendship. Nothing else, okay?”
Oh God, don’t tell me she thinks I’m going to try what Felicity did? “I know. After all, I’m straight.” There, that’s clear and should allay her fears. “And you, um, you have a girlfriend, don’t you?” Where had that question come from?
Ash frowned, then sat back, shaking her head. “You mean Hayley? No, no. We were on a date, but that didn’t work out. No, I was more worried that you’d think I was, well, coming on to you. I wouldn’t want you to get the wrong impression.”
Ah . So Ash had been worried Carmen would misconstrue her intentions. How sweet. She didn’t want to acknowledge the tiny voice somewhere in the back of her mind that said she was a little disappointed. Because that was ridiculous, wasn’t it?
“Honestly, Ash, it’s fine. I didn’t think anything like that. I’m just enjoying spending time with you. And I want to hear more about your travels and how you became a tattooist.”
The creases in Ash’s forehead smoothed out. “Cool. I think a couple of gin cocktails could definitely be the means by which you get that information.”
Carmen eased back in her seat, her shoulders losing their tension. “Excellent.”
Ash grinned. “So, swing by the studio when you’re done with work on Tuesday. We’ll grab a cab from there, yes?”
“Perfect.” Carmen pulled on her jacket and shoved her phone into her handbag. “This was lovely, Ash. Thank you.”
“My pleasure.”
They stood in the sunshine a moment longer, smiling at each other.
Carmen didn’t want to go. She wanted to sit back down, order another coffee, and while away another couple of hours talking with this lovely person. Realising she was staring at Ash, she took a step back. “Right, well, I’ll be off, then. I’ll see you next week.”
“Take care, Carmen.” Ash’s gaze held hers for another moment before she turned and walked away.
Carmen watched her go, aware that her pulse was back to racing and wondering why because she wasn’t remotely stressed. Not now.
Chapter 11
Carmen stood with her hands on her hips, staring at the array of clothes presented to her by her open wardrobe. “This really shouldn’t be this difficult,” she muttered. “It’s just a drink. With a friend. In a bar.”
And the drink wasn’t even until tomorrow night. Yet here she stood the night before, wondering what to wear. She tried to reason with herself that this was all so difficult because she had to dress in her usual style for work as she had two client meetings tomorrow.
