Jess smiled. “I think that man would be happy for any reason for you to latch on to him.” She stroked Ashley’s hair back. “It’s not like he’s a new guy in your life. You two are friends. You have a deep connection. And you’ve had the hots for each other for as long as I can remember. Now that he’s taken the step of telling you how he feels and wants to move the relationship forward…” Jess shrugged. “I don’t see why you’d hold back.”

Ashley just shook her head, still hurting too much from Dare’s rejection to think about it.

“Hey, let’s forget about all this right now and just kick back and spend some girl time together,” Jess said. “How about I order us a pizza and we follow it up with some Ben and Jerry’s while we watch a chick flick? I think Reese Witherspoon has a new one out. Or we can watch a classic. Hey, what about When Harry Met Sally? About two friends falling in love?”

Ashley smiled, trying to stop her lip from trembling. “That’s a great idea.”

Jess dialed her phone and ordered Ashley’s favorite, with lots of bacon and mushrooms, and extra cheese. Then she stood up. “I’m going to make a pitcher of ’ritas then go out and get that ice cream.”

Ashley grabbed her hand and squeezed. “Thanks, Jess. I really appreciate you being here for me.”

“Aw, of course, hon. You’d do the same for me.”

Ash smiled. “Yeah, but I won’t have to. Because you’ve found the perfect guy.”

Jess had been out on a couple of dates now with Eric and things were definitely heating up between them. And everything Jess told Ash about him showed that he seemed to adore Jess. Ash had a good feeling about the two of them.

It was tough getting up the next morning for work, after a pitcher of margaritas and staying up way later than she should have. Jess had stayed over and they’d talked half the night. Now they were both regretting the lack of sleep.

But it had been fun.

Thank heavens it was Friday already because she’d definitely be dragging by the end of the day.

Jessica had helped her forget about Dare last night but, at the office, thoughts of him plagued her, keeping her distracted and listless. Her heart still ached thinking about what might have been.

Could she really have believed that he might want to carry on a relationship with her? He’d be returning to New York at the end of the month. What did she think, he’d come visit her every weekend? She’d fly out there and spend time with him?