Let Life Surprise You ✔

26. Let Life Surprise Us

I can't believe my ears. I stop dead in my tracks, not daring to move, not even breathing. I'm almost convinced this is a dream, and that counting the backward sheep actually worked. Then he walks slowly in my direction. The crunch of the gravel under his shoes, his familiar scent as he moves closer, and his smile —the sad smile, yet the glint in his eyes reflects relief— assure me that this is real.

"Are you alright?" My voice comes out as a whisper.

He nods. "I will be." His eyes graze down to check my attire. "Where are you going this late?"

"I can't sleep. I thought I would just go to Chloe and snuggle with her."

Ashton's eyes turn softer. "Oh, okay. I don't know why I drove here. I can come back tomorrow."

"No, I don't need to go. I would probably wake her up if I went there anyway." I shrug as I cross my arms against my chest, feeling the chilly midnight wind. "Let's go inside."

We go through the garage which has direct access to the kitchen door. I flinch when realizing that I haven't had a chance to clean up. The pizza box is sitting on the countertops, next to the used dishes from our quick afternoon lunch, while Chloe's magazine and pink mug are occupying the dinner table.

"Beer?" I offer after quickly clearing the trash and dirty dishes off the kitchen counter.

"No, I don't think alcohol is a good idea for now. Can I have coffee instead?"

"Sure. I might need one, too."

"No extra sauce, please."

I open my mouth, wanting to answer him, but then I bite my lower lip as I chuckle. "About that, I'm sorry. I was pissed at you and wanted you to pay for the crude remarks you made on my first day."

"Such an interesting choice to punish your boss," Ashton replies, sauntering over to me before leaning back against the counter, and watching me setting up the coffee machine. "I was such an ass that evening; not having a good day at all. But not gonna lie, if I look back at that moment, I always find it hilarious. You were the weirdest yet the most fearless woman I ever bumped into."

"Wow, I'm not sure if it's a compliment but...thanks?"

"You're welcome."

As the machine starts brewing, the silence between us slips in, but it's nothing awkward; it's comfortable silence. The gurgling noise from the coffee machine fills the air while I'm watching the black liquid dripping into the carafe.

"How was the rest of the party?" I ask.

"Good. It went well. People were already going crazy when I got there. You should see Max and the girls on your team. They really killed it." Ashton shakes his head while chuckling.

"Oh, I missed out on the good part."

"There will be an official video for tonight's party. You can see it there." Ashton slips his hands into his pockets, looking down at my kitchen floor while his expression grows darker. "Diandra and I left a little hour after the real party began."

I hold my breath. This must be the part where he had a painful breakup with her. "I'm sorry for what happened between you two."

"Me too. But I know that our...whatever we had was bound to end eventually."

It takes my whole self-restraint to not ask him why it's bound to end because it's none of my business. Still, I need to know whether or not the kiss was one of the reasons.

"Did you...tell her?"

"Well," Ashton starts and then pauses to think, sending my anxiousness through the roof, "I told her I was here with you."