Tempted by Her Innocent Kiss (Pregnancy & Passion #3)(51)

“Gee thanks,” Devon said dryly. “Don’t you have a daughter to go take care of? She probably needs a diaper change or something.”

“She’s sleeping with her mama, but yeah, I’m going to get back to my family. It’s the best feeling in the whole world, Dev. Get your ass out there and get your family back where they belong.”

“I will. And thanks, Rafe.”

“Hey, no problem, man. Anytime.”

Devon slid the phone back into his pocket and pondered his friend’s advice. Go big or go home. Pretty solid advice. Now he just had to figure out how big to go. There was absolutely nothing he wouldn’t do to convince Ashley to give him another chance.

Twenty

Ashley sat on Pippa’s couch, curled underneath a blanket as she sipped hot tea and watched it snow. It had snowed for the last two days, leaving a heavy blanket over the city. She longed for the comfort of her own apartment…or rather Devon’s apartment. She bleakly considered that it had never really been her home. But she missed it all the same. Nights like tonight she and Devon would have snuggled in front of the fire and watched a movie.

“Hey, chickie,” Pippa said as she settled down the couch from Ash with a bounce. “How are you feeling? Nausea still a problem?”

It was probably the pregnancy hormones—that was what she was blaming anyway—but she got positively weepy over how protective and caring Pippa had been ever since Ashley had moved in. Or sort of moved in, since Ashley hadn’t yet worked up the nerve to get her things from Devon’s apartment. Instead she’d been borrowing clothes from Pippa. But soon—as in tomorrow—she was going to have to brave going.

“Yes and no. I honestly don’t know if it’s the pregnancy or the fact I’m upset. I’ve been so queasy and nothing sounds good. Even my favorite foods have suddenly lost their appeal.”

“I’m sure neither is helping,” Pippa said dryly. She hesitated a moment as if deciding whether or not to say what was obviously on her mind. But Pippa wasn’t one to hold back. “Have you talked to Devon yet, Ash?”

Ashley put her cup down and sighed. “No. I’m a horrible coward.”

“No, you aren’t,” Pippa said fiercely. “It took guts to go to his office and lay it out to him like you did. I’m so freaking proud of you. I so want to be you when I grow up.”

Ashley’s eyes got all watery again. “Oh my God. I’ve got to stop this,” she said, sniffling back the tears. “Pippa, you’re the most put-together person I know. You’ve got it all. You’re smart. You can cook like a dream. You’re gorgeous. And you’re the best friend I could possibly hope for.”

“And strangely I’m still single,” Pippa drawled.

Ashley giggled. “Only because you’re a picky bitch, as you should be. I could use some lessons from you.”

Pippa shifted forward on the couch, her expression suddenly serious. “Ashley, you have no idea how truly special you are. When the rest of us were struggling to find ourselves, sleeping around and experimenting with all the wrong guys, you were so calm and centered. You knew exactly who you were and what you wanted. You’ve always known who you were. You valued yourself and you refused to settle for less. Just because Devon turned out to be a prick who tried to change you doesn’t mean you did anything wrong. You may have lost your way for a very short time, but ultimately you didn’t let him change you.”

Ashley smiled but inside she wondered if Pippa was right. Devon had changed her. Irrevocably. No matter that she’d resisted and refused to become someone she didn’t like, she’d never truly be who she was before Devon entered her life.

But maybe that was what life was all about. People and circumstances changed you. It was what you did with that change that mattered.

The door buzzer sounded and Pippa made a face. “I swear if that’s another salesman I’m going to wet down my steps so they’ll freeze and anyone coming up will bust their ass. We’ve had two already this week.”

“Are you expecting a delivery? Maybe it’s your groceries.”

Pippa grew thoughtful. “No, I’m pretty sure I arranged it for tomorrow. But maybe you’re right. I’ll be right back.”

“You sit,” Ashley said as she pushed the blanket back. “You’ve been on your feet all morning. I’ve done nothing but sit around and feel sorry for myself.”

Pippa rolled her eyes but flopped back on the couch as Ashley padded toward the door. Ashley grinned as she imagined Pippa watering down her steps so they’d become icy. It was something she’d totally do.

She opened the door to the street-level apartment and blinked in shock to see Devon standing on the stoop, snow landing on his hair and wetting it. He wore a coat but had no scarf or cap, and he looked like he hadn’t slept in a week.

“Hello, Ash,” he said in a quiet, determined voice.

She gripped the door until her fingers went numb. “Uh, hi. What are you doing here?”

He laughed. It was a dry, brittle sound that in no way conveyed true amusement. “I haven’t seen my wife in a week. She won’t return my phone calls or texts. I have no idea if she’s okay or where she’s staying and she asks me what I’m doing here when I finally track her down.”