would laugh. “I haven’t had a one-night stand in a long, long time, so no.”
“Then I’ll help you,” she decides. “Here’s my first piece of advice: she hasn’t been flirted with in a long time.” How is that possible? “I can’t even remember the last time a guy sent her flowers. Oh, and be patient with her. If you haven’t noticed, she’s hardheaded.” Tiffany smiles.
“Thanks for the advice. Looks like having a lot of patience is about to come in handy.”
She excuses herself to go check on the issue Lexie is dealing with, and I take a moment to check in on Reed before I lose my chance. My worry increases when it takes Brooke a bit to answer, the call almost going to voicemail.
“Did you give him fast food, Ashton?” she asks. “I swear, what have I told you? I -”
“How is he feeling?” I interrupt.
“A little better. His stomach is probably upset from not being used to eating that junk!”
“What makes you think I did that?” Surely, Reed wouldn’t have told on us.
“He threw up, and I asked what he ate. I knew as soon as he looked guilty what you did. He told me and asked me not to be mad at you. Ash -”
“I’m sorry, okay? Tell him to feel better, that I love him, and I’ll see him soon. I need to go.”
Brooke gives in. We hang up, and I figure I better start mingling.
Chapter Five
Lexie
“Someone has another delivery,” Tiffany sings out, setting an envelope on my desk.
“Oh my God, if this is from him , I swear I’ll scream.”
Tiffany laughs. “Come on. I can’t believe this is happening to you. Look around.”
I sigh. Right now in my office are ten sets of a dozen roses. My office smells like a flower shop. I open the newest gift and roll my eyes. “Seriously?”
“What is it?” Tiffany looks over my shoulder.
“It’s an all-expenses-paid day at the spa for myself and a friend.”
“This is awesome. When are we going?”
I scoff. “We’re not. I’m sending it back.”
“No way!” Tiffany yells at me. “This would be a great way to unwind.”
I don’t say anything. I wouldn’t mind a spa day, but there’s no way I’m doing it on Ashton’s dime. “I need to go get Sadie.” I toss the certificate to the side.
“Wait.” Tiffany grabs my arm. “We need to talk.”
“I don’t.”
“You need to stop right now.” She gives me a stern look. “Are you missing the big picture?”
“Which is?”
“Ashton Campbell is trying to ask you out.”
“And you want glass seats,” I remind her, crossing my arms.
“Of course I do. I love my Bears. You’d sell your soul for playoff tickets if the Gamblers were in it.” I couldn’t argue with her on that point. “Just go out with him. One time. You haven’t been on a date in years. Sadie was like four, I think.”
I continue to not argue with her.
“Lexie, you know I love you. You’re my best friend, but it’s been almost seven years.”
“I know,” I snap at her. “I’m well aware of how long my husband has been dead. I have to go.” I jump up and run away from her.
I drive over to the school, still trying to figure why in the world Ashton wants to date me. Maybe he has some type of concussion, or possibly nearsighted blindness? Whatever it is, I’m not going out on a date with him. I park the car and pull my coat tighter around my chest as the cold breeze cuts through me.
“Lexie.” I turn to someone calling my name and see Brooke coming up to me. “Hi.”
“Hello.” I glance her up and down in her bright pink scrubs.
“Listen, Reed has been going on and on about playing with Sadie, and I was wondering if you’re free this evening. I know it’s short notice, but Reed’s dad is out of town this week, and I think it would be a perfect time.”
I’m taken aback by her abruptness, but then again, Sadie won’t quit talking about Reed either. “That sounds great. We could order pizzas for the kids.”
“Great.” Her smile is still very bright. “Text