“I think Reed played enough today,” I lie to her.
“Okay.” She goes back to the TV.
“What the hell was all that?” Tiffany asks.
“I have no idea.” I shrug. “Now, I love you, but you need to leave.”
“What? Why?”
“Because I know you and all you’re going to do is talk about Ashton, and I don’t want to. So, I say this with love: get out.”
Tiffany rolls her eyes. “You’re bitchy, and I think you’re making a mistake, but I’ll fulfill your wish and leave. Please remember that he isn’t going to wait forever.” She kisses my cheek and leaves.
I hate when she’s right, but I’m not going out with Ashton.
Chapter Six
Ashton
Lexie has been even more hardheaded than I thought she would be. She’s not letting up at all. Today, I’m supposed to have one big sleepover at my house with Reed and Brooke since I was gone a lot last week, but first I’m making a little pitstop. I’ve been thinking that maybe if I step it up a bit, take it to the next level, then Lexie might finally say yes. I’m not sure why I’m trying so hard for one date, but I’m finding it difficult to stop. She’s beautiful and has one hell of an attitude. All I want is one date to learn more about her. If she still hates my guts after that, or I discover that she’s just as crabby as she seems, then I’ll leave her alone.
But not until I get my chance.
With a bag filled with a box of chocolate-dipped strawberries and two bottles of wine, I walk into the building where I know I’ll find Lexie. I’m changing it up a little because she honestly might be tired of the flowers. Tiffany happily provided the directions to her office, so here I am, hoping a personal appearance might help.
Lexie’s facing away from me, searching through a small filing cabinet. I rap my knuckles on the open wooden door and she turns at the sound, her shoulders dropping immediately. Despite her reaction, I smile.
“No flowers.” I hold up the bag as proof. Her mouth parts, but I keep going. “Before you can say anything, I won’t be here long. I only wanted to give you this.” I set the gifts on her desk.
“Why won’t you give up?” she mumbles. She can’t help but peer to see what I’ve brought her, though. Maybe she’s starting to warm up to me.
“Why won’t you say yes? It’s one measly date, Lexie.”
She glares at me, crossing her arms over her chest. “I have my reasons,” she says evenly.
“If you really wanted to get rid of me, all you would have to do is go on a date and then I’ll leave you alone.”
“Sounds counterproductive,” Lexie comments dryly.
I laugh. “Well, think about it. I’m going to keep my word and not stay long. Have a great day, Lexie, and enjoy the strawberries and wine.” I give her my best, most genuine smile before turning and walking away.
Once I get home, I start getting things ready. There’s cooking to be done as well as rearranging the furniture. Whenever we do the sleepovers, I put down a large air mattress and cover it with three sleeping bags and a bunch of pillows. All of Reed’s favorite movies and board games are out, plus a new one for us to try. With that done, I start cooking.
“Dad!” Reed’s voice yells about an hour later when he bursts through my door.
“Hey, little man. Where’s your mom?” I ask, looking to see that she’s not right behind him.
“Getting her bags.” He rolls his eyes. Brooke always brings like three bags over.
“Well, go be a gentleman and help her carry them in.”
“Yes, sir,” he nods before running back out the door.
They return moments later and get settled in, Brooke coming into the kitchen with me and Reed going to watch TV. From the corner of my eye as she helps me cook, I see her mouth part, close, open, and then close again.
“Say it already.”
She glances at me with surprise. “What?”