Ashton Scott

Gregory Scott maintains his own poker face. We watch each other silently for a while before he eventually says, “I’ll leave you to think about it, Miss Winters.” He hands me his business card. “Contact me when you change your mind.” With that, he turns and exits my office.

Jesus, what’s with these Scott men?

Call me when you change your mind. Not if, but when. So bloody presumptuous.

Well, they can think again if they believe I’m an easy sell.

I’m not.

8

Ashton

“I love you, Ashton, but seven on a Saturday morning is taking our relationship to a whole new level,” Jessica mumbles into the phone.

“It was urgent.”

Silence.

“Oh, you should have said that sooner, boss. I mean, hell, why didn’t you call earlier? I could have done urgent at three this morning.”

“Smartass,” I murmur, but my mouth curls into a smile. Jessica’s snarky ways endear her to me. They hands-down beat the way most people pander to me in an effort to get closer and potentially gain something from a relationship.

“Ugh, Ashton, you could have at least sent me over some coffee to wake me up.”

“It’s on my list. Although, I’ll have to get my assistant to organise that,” I say with a grin, making a mental note to send coffee over as soon as this call is over.

“My, you’re unusually fun this morning, Mr Scott. Did your vagina hunting pay off?”

I lean back in my office chair. I’ve been working in my home office for two hours this morning and the time has flown by. A strange occurrence around here on weekends lately. I’ve felt adrift recently and this feeling is only magnified on weekends when I’m alone. The fact I haven’t felt the pull to socialise much hasn’t helped. “The way you master the English language is astounding, Jessica.”

“I’m glad you’ve recognised that. I look for new words to impress you with daily. Now, what is so urgent you dragged me from the best sleep I’ve had all week?”

“Have you managed to track down Lorelei’s schedule yet?”

She groans. “Honestly,” she mutters, her voice drifting off. “Okay, Monday afternoons between one and four she usually visits that nursing home I’ve already told you about. She goes to spin class at the gym five minutes from her office on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at five. Sunday mornings are usually spent at the local farmer’s market. She also does salsa dancing, but this appears to be an irregular activity. It’s at that dance studio around the corner from Willow Street. Oh, and on Saturday mornings she often visits her Willow Street property.”

“Impressive. You got all this from Facebook?”

“See, if I told you my sources, you wouldn’t need me anymore. Let’s just say, my investigative process involves more than Facebook. Now, you owe me. Make it a double shot and make it snappy.”

“Mornings aren’t your strong suit, are they?”

“Pay attention, Ashton—they can be with caffeine.”

I chuckle. “Enjoy the rest of your weekend.”

“Wait, before you go. How are we looking for Asshole Monday? Do you think it’ll be on next week or not?”

“Goodbye, Jessica,” I say as I end the call.

After I order coffee to be sent to her home, I make my way into the kitchen. Jack surprises me when I find him in there.

“Morning,” I say. “I thought you?

??d be asleep after last night.” After his long flight, he slept for hours yesterday and as a result was wide-awake at midnight.

“I slept for about four hours. Been tossing and turning for two hours, so I figured I may as well get up. I’m going to visit Mum today.”