Always(Time for Love Book 4)(34)

She bent down and spoke in his ear. “Thanks for my olives, hon,” she said, startling him. Then she reached out to transfer the olives to her plate.

“I don’t remember saying you can take them,” he said, his voice laced with amusement.

“You know you were going to give them to me anyway,” she said sweetly, then straightened to go back to her seat.

“Hey, do you mind if we switch seats, Bren?” Greg asked. “I want to talk to Gemma.”

“Sure,” she said readily, glad to take the seat next to Ash. What a happy coincidence.

“Are you being bothered by reporters and photographers, Gemma?” Magda asked with concern.

“Uh, not really... except for a couple of times,” she admitted.

“That’s what I want to talk to you about,” Greg said.

“I’m miffed,” Brenna whispered to Ash. “No one has written about us yet.”

Ash simply chuckled.

“The next time I know there are paparazzi around, I’m going to drag you in front of the nearest Carmichael brother and I’ll pash you.”

“Brenna...” Ash said with warning.

“What?” she asked innocently.

Ash shook his head and smiled. “Nothing, I guess. Glad to see you’re okay. It’s good that we can joke around like we used to before we got together.”

Her jaw dropped. If it weren’t for the people around them, she’d have given him a shake for being so obtuse. Honestly!

*****

“He is driving me crazy!” Brenna complained to Gemma over the phone. “I deliberately bumped into him outside his gym this morning, and again he pretended everything was like it used to be when we were just friends. Every time I flirt with him, he laughs it off. Why does he do that?”

“Now you’re seeing what we used to see in the past, Bren,” Gemma answered. “That’s how Ash used to react every time you joked around with him. He’d laugh it off, then when you weren’t looking he’d watch you with a sad look on his face, not knowing we were watching him. He must think you’re back to your pre-relationship days.”

Gemma’s words sobered her. “I guess he’s put up with a lot from me, hey?” she said.

“I think you need to be patient with him, Bren. Remember what you said? That you’ll show him unconditional love, and that you’ll keep turning up when he pushes you away?”

“Yeah.”

“And you know what? I seriously doubt words would mean much to Ash. It’s your actions that would prove to him you love him.”

“I know. That’s another thing that frustrates me. When we were at Amanda and Connor’s, I told him I missed him. I said I miss you, Ash. And you know what he did?”

“He said he missed you too, patted you on the shoulder, then said see you later. Amanda told me,” Gemma said.

“I think he’s being deliberately thick,” she said sadly. “I don’t think he has any intentions of getting back with me again.”

“I think Darren being around you again is digging up all his past hurts and insecurities,” Gemma said quietly. “I think he’s acting like that not because he doesn’t want to be with you again, but because he’s shielding himself from the pain that he thinks is headed his way. Remember how Ash was there to comfort you over your multiple breakups with Darren? Ash took you to dinners and movies and beaches and parks. Do you remember what you used to say to us about him? You said Ash was so sweet, and that it was nice having a male friend who was as close to you as a brother.”

Tears immediately filled Brenna’s eyes, emotions choking her at the memory.

“Bren?”

“Gosh, I’ve been so hurtful to him,” she said through her tears.

“Bren, are you sure that what you’re feeling for Ash now is not brotherly love? Or maybe even pity?” Gemma asked tentatively.

“I’m one hundred percent sure it’s not brotherly love, or friendly love, or pity,” she said with conviction. “I’m in love with him, Gem. And I’m dying to sleep with him again. I want him so much.”

“Then show him that.”

“Yes. I will,” she said.

“How?” Gemma asked curiously.

“I’m tempted to turn up at his place and strip naked,” she said with a little giggle.

“Why don’t you?” Gemma challenged.

She paused. “Yes, why don’t I?”

“Great! I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before Ash realises the truth of your feelings for him. Then your problems will be over.”

She exhaled gustily. “Not all my problems. I’m having some issues with Darren lately.”

“What?”

“He seems to get agitated every time I mention Ash. He comes up with ridiculous statements about how Ash’s feelings for me couldn’t be strong because Ash never pursued me back when he and I were dating.”

Gemma snorted. “He obviously has no idea. But do you think Darren wants you back?”

“No. I think he’s scared I might pull out of our arrangement to please Ash. He’s worried for his mum.”

“Ah.”

“Darren also wants me to go with him every time he visits his mother, which could be more than once a week.”