Chasing after the Professor

“Sit.” Carla motioned towards the sofa as they moved into the living room.

Ashley sat down, raking a hand through her hair, a pained look on her face. “I came here to make sure you knew that there is absolutely nothing going on. When I knew I couldn’t see you tonight, I asked a friend of mine out for some drinks, and she thought it was a date so… I had no idea she would kiss me. And I definitely did not kiss her back.”

Carla sat down across from her as Ashley spoke, relief radiating through her. Ashley wasn’t here to confess that she was seeing someone else. She wasn’t here to end things.

“But the thing is,” Ashley said, her voice quivering ever so slightly. “I didn’t realize what was happening because I was so distracted. I saw you. In the window of that restaurant, and I was hoping that what you’d told me was true. That she was an old friend. But Olivia’s there beside me telling me that she’s pretty sure that that woman was your ex, because she follows you on Instagram. And I’m trying not to let it get to me. Because I didn’t want Olivia to know that I cared about what you two were doing across the street. And because I didn’t want to be jealous. I wanted to trust you.”

“Do you?” Carla asked.