Breathe. Breathe .
“Hi.” Carmen found her voice and took a couple of steps closer. Do I hug her? Do I—?
When Ash stepped forward, Carmen’s internal monologue ended abruptly. Ash slipped one arm around her back while the other hand landed on Carmen’s waist.
“Hey,” Ash whispered near her ear.
Carmen shivered and ached to press closer to Ash’s firm body. Before she could move, however, Ash pulled back.
Her gaze flitted from side to side, and she shuffled her feet, her hands now tucked deep into her pockets.
Spooked herself again, I’m guessing. Something is definitely holding her back. Carmen was almost elated by the thought. She wants me. She just isn’t sure she should act on it.
“How are you?” Ash asked, now looking a little more relaxed.
“I’m good. And you?”
“Yeah, really good.” Ash stumbled as someone bumped her from behind.
“Sorry!” the young man said and hurried on.
Ash looked around. “It’s a bit busy in here. Shall we move?”
“Sure.”
Ash led Carmen out of the station and turned right before crossing the road. “Had a good week?”
“Very good! Finally sent out the termination letters to the first clients I’m dropping, after approval from the lawyer.”
“Were you scared?”
It was so like Ash to see right to the big issue around the announcement. She’s so good at reading what’s important to me.
“Terrified.” Carmen threw her a glance. The warm yet concerned expression on Ash’s face made her feel hot and cold all over once more. “But by last night we’d only had one awful reply. So I suppose that’s not too bad.”
“One out of twenty? I’d take those odds.” Ash grinned.
“Yes, you’re right. I suppose I would have preferred not to upset anybody.”
“I understand.” Ash’s tone was gentle. “But you also have to look out for you and your business. Don’t worry; you’ve done the right thing in my opinion.”
“Thanks. That means a lot.” And it did. It was wonderful how, despite the strange limbo status they seemed to be in regarding any romantic involvement between them, Ash was still so supportive of Carmen and what was going on in her life.
They zigzagged through the streets towards and around Regent’s Park and reached the brasserie a few minutes later. It was tucked into a secluded corner next to one of the bridges spanning the canal. Part of a warehouse that had been converted into various small shops and workshops, it had a Bohemian feel, with mismatched chairs and tables.
The waiter greeted them and led them to a small terrace on the first floor.
“What a great place!” Carmen gazed around as she took her seat. “I love the vibe.”
“Yeah, and the food’s good too. It’s not all window dressing.”
They ordered drinks, something non-alcoholic for each of them. Carmen couldn’t speak for Ash, but she was already buzzing enough from being with her once more. By the time the waiter had returned with their drinks, they’d chosen their food.
“Lamb chops for me.” Carmen’s stomach growled at the prospect.
“Chicken for me.” Ash sat back in her chair and sipped her drink. While her body seemed relaxed, her gaze darted left and right, and her hand trembled when she replaced her drink on the table.
Was she nervous or scared? Or both? And what can I do about that? She decided to start things slow. “So, how has your week been?” Carmen reached for her own drink.
“Great. I had dinner with Courtney and Sophie on Tuesday.” Ash leaned in, her expression serious. “She’s had a complete turnaround as far as Sophie is concerned, and everything between them now is really good. I’m so relieved.”
“Oh, that is good news. Thank God.”
Ash blew out a breath. “Yeah. I saw Sophie on Friday when I reopened the studio. She was pretty much bouncing off the walls with happiness at how different her mum is now. I’m so proud of my sister for pulling it together.”
Their meals were delivered, and they began to eat, commenting on the dishes and letting each other sample from their plates. As they ate, they chatted about what each of them had planned for the week ahead. Ash seemed to relax within minutes, and by the time they’d diverted into a lively discussion about the latest scandal to hit the government and swapped recommendations for films they’d recently loved, Carmen was as light as a feather and daring to hope their future was a little more assured.
After the waiter had cleared their plates and they’d ordered coffee, Carmen inhaled a deep breath. Okay, let’s get this out there—I’m tired of dancing around it . “So how are you ? And I don’t mean your business or your family. I mean you in reference to the elephant in the room from last Sunday.”
Ash startled. She gave Carmen a wry smile that slowly widened into something warmer and almost conspiratorial, sending a roll of excitement through Carmen’s body. “Ah, yes. Last Sunday. You mean, when I pounced on you, right?”
Carmen chuckled even as her skin heated. “Yes, the pouncing. That’s exactly what I mean.”
Ash shifted in her seat. “I didn’t plan that.”
“I guessed as much.”
“I just… You looked and felt so good, I couldn’t seem to stop myself.”
“I didn’t want you to stop.” Carmen’s voice was low and husky, and she shocked herself with the desire it portrayed.
Ash visibly swallowed before steepling her fingers and propping her chin on them. “I’m not looking for anything serious. I have some concerns about getting involved with someone who’s only just exploring what being attracted to a woman could mean. But…”
Carmen’s heart pounded. “But?”
Ash met her gaze and held it, and the heat there made Carmen feel as if her very bones were melting. “But we seem to have something between us, so maybe we could have some fun exploring that.”
Ash waited, holding her breath. She hadn’t intended to offer anything to Carmen, never mind something that sounded
