Ace's Key: Book 1 Read Online Free PDF Page B

again would only hurt me deeper.
Casual was something I couldn’t do. That was Claire’s forte.
    Shit.
    Claire was going to be at the baby shower and full of a million
questions.
    * * *
    The baby shower for Elisabeth, one of my friends through
Connor, had already started by the time I arrived. Thankful I was only fifteen
minutes late, I hoped to blame my tardiness on traffic.
    “You having a relapse?” Claire asked.
    “No. Why?”
    “Your skin is all flushed like you have a fever.”
    Oh, I had a fever all right. A sex-filled, hungering fever.
“Just finished a workout,” I mumbled, trying to pass off the start of her
inquisition. It wasn’t a lie. Steamy sex with Ace was definitely a workout. I
couldn’t count high enough for the calories burned!
    Claire didn’t press the questions during the shower, which left
me grateful, but we were meeting Ashley later for some holiday shopping, and I
was certain the firing squad would be lining up.
    The questions that did come up with Elisabeth and some of the
other girlfriends I expected. Connor had gotten to them first with his side of
the story. I could not have cared less about who was right or wrong in our
relationship, and I clearly professed I was happy to be done with him… End of
discussion.
    After Ace, there was no going back to Connor, ever.
    * * *
    “Where’s your list?” Ashley asked, with her hand extended and
open in front of me. We’d met up at the mall with a gazillion other holiday
shoppers.
    “I don’t have a list. All I need is shoes for the work party
tonight.”
    “You’re still going? I thought Claire said you’d changed your
mind.”
    “No, I never changed my mind. I changed my ‘plus one’.”
    “Ouch.”
    “Tell me about it. I don’t have anyone to keep my attention,
making me free game for Jim and his less-than-mediocre conversation about how
great he is. What’s taking Claire so long? I’ll call her.”
    “No need. She’s over there at Starbucks having more than coffee
with a cute guy.” Ashley pointed to the other side of the food court.
    “Typical Claire.” I laughed.
    I sent Claire a text, letting her know we’d meet her at
Nordstrom’s shoe department. I hated shopping at the holidays. The mall was
insane.
    We’d already bought shoes, a bag, and other trinkets by the
time Claire finally emerged.
    “Who’s the hottie?” I prodded.
    “You don’t recognize him? That’s Mason Taylor. The guy that
works in your condo-building’s sales department.”
    “Geez, he looks different unshaven, tat showing, and—a beenie.
He looks…um, hot!”
    “We’re going out tonight.” Claire sputtered after a sip of
coffee.
    “Good for you. What’s left on our to-do list?” I asked, while
paying for my earrings, then the realization of what she said hit me. “Wait,
you mean you and Mason are going out tonight?”
    “Yes, but before that, me and Ash are coming to your place, and
you can tell us all about your night with Mr. Wonderful, while you get ready
for your party. Then I’m going to meet up with Mason.”
    I swirled around to witness the stubborn streak possessed by
both Claire and Ashley. Claire was looking over her glasses and down her nose
at me, while Ashley had her arms crossed on her chest and had that “Dare You”
stance. There was no getting past them.
    We caravanned to my apartment, and on the way, I performed a role
play in my brain. I had no intentions of spilling the goods about my evening
with Ace. Things we did were private and too steamy to share.
    At my place, I tossed my purchases on the bed and started the
shower. With a little over an hour to get ready, I’d hoped to avoid the
interrogation.
    Ashley and Claire camped out on my bed while I primped for the
party.
    “So, what’s he like?” Ashley asked.
    “Who?” I tried to stall.
    “You know who. Ace,” Claire screeched.
    “You don’t have to shout. I can hear you normal.”
    “I’m shouting because you’re pulling the blonde card.