Once at home, seated in the living room and unable to stand the silence for a second longer, Kelly took the liberty to speak first.

“I’m glad you’re here. I’ve wanted to apologize ever since that night. I can only guess what you think of me.” She wiped her sweaty palms on her jeans.

“You don’t have to apologize,” Ashleigh said. “Shit happens, and I’m fairly sure you didn’t plan it?”

Her warm smile astounded Kelly. How could Ashleigh be so flippant about what happened? It suddenly struck Kelly that perhaps Ashleigh was bisexual and in an open relationship. The thought was so ludicrous Kelly almost laughed at herself.

Rather than continue to let her mind run amuck, Kelly asked the question. “Did you tell your fiancé, Craig?”

A sparkle twinkled in Ashleigh’s eyes. “Of course. He thinks it’s great and would like to meet you.”

What the ever-loving fuck?

“He thinks it’s great that I ravished your body? Oh, God, please don’t tell me you’ve come here to invite me to join you two. I don’t do threesomes… or men.”

The colour drained out of Ashleigh’s face. Scowling, she folded her arms across her chest.  “What the hell are you talking about?”

Confused beyond belief, Kelly tossed the question back at her. “What are you talking about?”

“Paula’s potluck dinner. I thought you were excusing yourself for the way you spoke to Colette. But like I said shit happens and I’m sure you didn’t plan on being rude to her.”

Stunned, Kelly’s mouth fell open as she realized she’d made a huge faux pas.

Relaxing her posture, ever so slightly, Ashleigh continued. “Craig has never liked Colette, only tolerated her for the sake of my friendship with Paula. When I told him about you and the way you handled Colette he’d looked at me in awe and said, ‘Damn I need to meet this woman’.”

“Oh,” Kelly replied sounding pathetic, and wishing she could take back her comment.

“Craig and I are exclusive. He’s the only one who’s had access to this body since we got together.” A cute blush spread up Ashleigh’s cheeks. “I’m not sure why you were under the impression, you and I…you know?” She smiled shyly. “Care to explain? I’m a good listener.”

Instinct told Kelly she could trust Ashleigh, not to mention Ashleigh deserved an explanation. “To repeat your words, I’d prefer it if this conversation doesn’t go any further.”

Swallowing around the lump in her throat, and needing a minute to gather her thoughts, Kelly stood.

“Can I get you something to drink? Tea, coffee, juice, water? I haven’t been to the bottle store yet, so I can’t offer you anything stronger.” Nerves made her ramble.

“Relax, Kelly. I don’t drink and drive, so a glass of water will be fine.”

“Ice?”

“Please.”