Jessica grinned. “But I’m not going out with Mr. Gallagher-the-sexiest-man-alive.”

Ashley frowned. “I’m not either.”

“But you are seeing him. And you asked me to help you buy sexy clothes to wear for him.”

“I told you. It’s not like that. And I thought you were going to stop teasing me.”

“Yes, you told me and, honey … it is like that. All kidding aside, from what you told me about last night you are headed straight for an illicit, sexual affair with the man.” Jessica squeezed her arm. “And I am so jealous.”

Ashley’s chest tightened. Leave it to Jess to give it to her straight.

“Oh, God, Jess.” Ashley grabbed the hanger from Jessica and hung the garment back on the rack, her cheeks heating. Because as much as she tried to deny it … damn it, Jess was right.

“Come on, let’s get coffee.” Jessica tugged her arm, leading her from the store.

They went to the food court, then settled at a table with their coffees.

“What am I doing, Jess?” Ashley lamented over her steaming drink. “I mean, you’re right. If I’m not careful, that’s where this will lead.”

Jess shrugged and sipped her coffee. “So why be careful? Why not seize the moment? He’s handsome, worldly, and soooo sexy. And you’re in this ideal situation where he’ll take total control. That is so hot. You can’t tell me that doesn’t turn you on.”

Ashley compressed her lips. “It does.” She gazed straight at her friend. “Oh, God, does it ever. But how can I do that?”

“You just let him take the lead. It certainly sounds like the attraction is mutual.”

“But I mean … he’s our best friend’s stepfather. And you remember how devastated Helen was when he split with her mother.”

Helen had adored Dare. She’d loved that all the girls at school practically swooned over him, but more, she loved the stability he’d brought to her family. She had been without a father for a long time and when he came into the picture, she’d confessed to Ashley that she felt more secure. Ashley didn’t know what the problem was—probably financial issues—because Helen always had to go home right after school to do chores. Ashley assumed it was because her mother worked late to make extra money.

“Yeah, sure, but that was years ago,” Jessica said, “and, to be frank, it’s not like Helen has kept up her friendship with us. We haven’t heard from her in years.”

When Helen’s mom and Dare had divorced—the summer after graduation—Helen had dropped out of sight. She’d simply disappeared. At first, Ashley and Jessica thought she’d gone on a trip to Europe, but she’d never sent a single postcard. Then they’d heard she hadn’t gone to college that fall. It was strange, since Helen had been a straight-A student and loved school.

There were all kinds of crazy rumors. Even that she’d gotten pregnant and gone away while she had the baby, then put it up for adoption. But that didn’t explain why she wouldn’t tell Ashley and Jessica about it. They’d been so close.