Ash snorted. “It was a disaster. It was bad enough witnessing her say ‘I do’. But later, after the dinner, when it was time for the bride and groom to have their first dance, she couldn’t find Dave. Turns out he was in the hotel bar getting drunk with his mates. So she grabbed me instead.”
“What?” Carmen’s mouth fell open. “She got you to do the traditional first dance with her?”
“Yep. I was torn, wanting to humour her, because she was a bit drunk too, and not cause a scene. But at the same time it was a nightmare, trying not to hold her too close, not getting too caught up in the moment.” She ran a hand through her hair. “I have no idea what anyone else thought of it all. Most people were just laughing, I guess thinking it was a bit of fun. When we were back at work, after she got back from her honeymoon, it was like we were strangers. Barely said a word to each other.”
“Oh, Ash, I…I don’t know what to say.” Carmen cupped Ash’s cheek in her warm hand. “What she did to you was very unfair. I don’t know why she did it, played with you that way, but I can totally understand why it’s impacted you so much.”
“Yeah, it screwed me up, no doubt about that.” Ash pressed closer, locking gazes with Carmen. “And I honestly thought I’d got past it all with my therapy sessions. It turns out that wasn’t quite true. And again, I’m sorry about that.”
“It’s okay. Truly. Thank you for telling me.” Carmen pursed her lips. “I know I’ve said it before—none of us can ever guarantee anything. And making false promises is not my thing. But what I can say is that I cannot imagine, in a million years, doing something like that to you. You mean far too much to me to play with your feelings.”
Ash quivered at the strength of emotion in Carmen’s voice.
Carmen trailed her thumb over the back of Ash’s hand. “If this doesn’t work out between us, it will be because we don’t fit, don’t make each other happy. There won’t be any emotional games. That is absolutely not my style.”
Relief coursed through Ash. She didn’t want them pretending that life was perfect and nothing bad could happen. Knowing how strongly Carmen felt about doing this right, about treating each other with respect, was all she needed right now. “Good, because it isn’t mine either.”
She wrapped her arms around Carmen and held her tightly. When Carmen’s lips found hers once more, she lost herself in the tender kiss, any thoughts of the past and previous hurts left far behind.
Chapter 38
“Come on in.” Carmen stepped aside to allow Ash to walk into her home. She closed the door behind Ash and turned to face her.
Ash looked delectable. The tight black jeans were back, this time paired with a plain, dark green shirt buttoned up to the collar. Her hair was swept back, the style that Carmen found irresistible.
“You look unbelievable.” Ash’s gaze roamed over every inch of Carmen until it felt like a physical caress.
Carmen sucked in a breath, astonished at how quickly her arousal could make itself known with just a look from Ash. “Thank you. You look wonderful yourself. That colour on you is spectacular.”
“Why, thank you.” Ash leaned in and dropped a soft kiss on Carmen’s lips. “Am I the first one here?”
“Not quite. Felicity is in the kitchen.”
“Ah.” Ash shuffled her feet.
“Don’t worry; she has just about forgiven you.” Carmen smiled as Ash frowned. “Seriously, she has. It’s okay.”
Ash inhaled deeply, then nodded. “Okay. Lead on. Your turn to show me your house.” She grinned.
It was so good to be back in the zone where they were comfortable with each other, where they could tease and smile and just…be.
Carmen gestured for Ash to follow her into the living room. The tour of the house lasted only a few minutes, long enough for them to steal a few more kisses along the way.
“I am still here, you know!” Felicity’s voice boomed from the kitchen.
Carmen laughed. “All right, we’re coming down.”
She led Ash down the stairs and along the hallway to the kitchen.
When Carmen entered the room, Ash hovered in the doorway, clearly still unsure of the reception she would get from Felicity.
“Well, well. The prodigal girlfriend returns.” Felicity stood with one hand resting on the breakfast bar, the other holding a glass of champagne.
Carmen blinked. Girlfriend? Hmm, yes, I suppose she is . She inhaled. Wow, never had one of those before .
“Hey, Felicity,” Ash said. “How are you?” Her voice cracked a little.
Felicity circled the bar and strolled across the room, levelling a narrow-eyed stare at Ash.
Ash stood her ground, although her forefingers tapped rapidly against her thighs.
Carmen thought about stepping in to aid her, but she knew whatever Felicity threw at her, Ash was confident in where she and Carmen were now to throw it right back.
Felicity stopped about a yard away from Ash, her face still maintaining its stern expression. “I am very well, thank you.” She broke into a wide smile. “And delighted to see you again. Here, this is for you.” She handed Ash the glass of champagne.
“Should I be worried about it being poisoned?” Ash’s mouth quirked.
Felicity guffawed. “No, you’re safe. For now.”
Ash grinned, but Carmen caught the hint of relief in her eyes. “All right. Cheers.”
Felicity nodded, then turned and walked back to the bar. “One for you, Carmen?”
“Definitely.” The doorbell rang. “And you may as well pour two more while you’re there.”
Ash leaned as casually as she could against the breakfast bar, grateful the glass of champagne didn’t wobble in her hand. She was about to be introduced to famous actress Tamsyn Harris, and her nerves threatened to get the better of her.
Even though she and Carmen had come from very different backgrounds, Ash had never felt much disparity between them. Mainly
