Always(Time for Love Book 4)(7)
She looked Amanda straight in the eye. “I’d never deliberately hurt Ash, Amanda. You know that.”
*
As they walked back to the balcony, carrying trays with ice cream and hot drinks, Brenna’s gaze immediately went to Ash. Fondness washed over her as she watched him chat with the guys.
A clear image of her flying to Ash’s arms flashed in her mind. She saw herself holding him tight and telling him she was so sorry she’d made him wait for so long. The picture was so strong it brought tears to her eyes.
In that second, she knew her world had shifted.
“What took you girls so long?” Connor asked.
“You know us. We got busy chatting,” Amanda responded, setting the tray she was carrying on the table. Brenna did likewise, grateful no one was looking at her. She blinked the tears away and took deep breaths to calm herself. Then she sat on a chair next to Ash.
“I’m afraid I’ll have to go soon,” Ash said, checking his watch.
“Why? What else have you got on this afternoon?” Amanda asked.
“I promised someone I’d pick her up from the hospital.”
Her? Brenna’s ears pricked.
“Hospital? Who?” Amanda asked.
“Sophie. This woman I’m seeing. She’s visiting a friend’s kid at the Children’s Hospital.”
“You have a new girlfriend?” Greg asked. “How long have you been going out with her?”
“About three weeks or so.”
“Doesn’t she drive? How did she get to the hospital?” Amanda asked.
“The kid’s parents picked her up, but they’re staying with their son until tonight, so Sophie needs a lift home.”
“Do you like her, Ash? As in really, really like her?” Amanda prodded.
Brenna found herself holding her breath for Ash’s response.
“Would I be going out with her if I didn’t like her?” he replied.
“Yes,” Amanda replied boldly. “You’ve gone out with women before to test if there was something there. Then you got your confirmation that there was nothing.”
“But I haven’t gone out with those girls again, have I?”
“Ooh, it must mean you really like Sophie then, hey?” Jeff said before wincing. “Did you just kick my leg, babe?” he asked Sarah in surprise.
“Sorry, it was an accident,” Sarah said with an innocent smile. “Anyway, Ash, what does this woman do?”
“She runs a hairdressing salon. Don’t worry. I’m sure you’ll all get to meet her someday.”
“Meet her? Whoa, you must be getting serious, bro,” Greg teased.
Ash grinned at Greg, and Brenna’s heart sank. Was that a yes? Was he getting serious with Sophie? No!
“Are you bummed that your baby sister’s going to beat you to the altar?” Greg asked.
Ash laughed. “Not at all. But now that my baby sister’s all grown up and getting married, I can stop worrying about her and start focusing on my own love life.”
Amanda rolled her eyes. “You’re the overprotective brother who insists on poking your nose in my business, Ash.”
“It’s tit for tat and all that, sis. Gemma’s the last one I have to worry about now,” Ash said with an exaggerated sigh.
“Not the last,” Gemma said. “Brenna’s still single too.”
Brenna was surprised at Gemma’s comment, but she was grateful for it. What would Ash say about that?
“She’s got Lance,” Ash said rather cheerily.
Ash’s tone pinched Brenna’s heart. “Not for long,” she murmured, unable to help the distressed frown on her face.
“Is everything okay, Bren?” he asked softly.
He noticed! She gave him a sweet smile, words catching in her throat.
Ash reached over and patted her on the arm. “You’ll be fine, Bren. I know it,” he said, then stood up. “I’m afraid I have to go, guys. I don’t want to be late in picking up Sophie. And Bren, I’m sure you’ll work it out with Lance,” he added with an encouraging smile.
Brenna’s jaw slackened as she watched Ash leave to go to another woman. Hurt gripped her, and she was shocked by the intensity of it. It was almost as if a switch had been flicked. Or rather, as if a dam had been broken. Feelings for Ash she’d been forcefully ignoring were gushing out.
But was she just a tad too late?
CHAPTER THREE
Ash dropped his fake smile as soon as he was out of Connor and Amanda’s apartment. Talking in front of Brenna about meeting a woman he was dating made him feel like he was doing something wrong. But then Brenna never had the same problem, so why should he continue to feel that way?
He figured it would benefit him to make this group think he was getting serious with Sophie. Sophie could be his good excuse for why he couldn’t turn up to future gatherings—especially the ones where Brenna would be bringing Lance along with her.
But what had happened with Brenna and Lance? It sounded like something had gone wrong. Did she get a phone call? Was that why the girls took an inordinately long time to come back from the kitchen?
When Brenna had smiled at him when he’d asked her if she was okay, he saw the vulnerability in her eyes. Her expression had tugged at his heart with a force that had scared him, and he had to forcibly remind himself he was done hoping.