But mostly it wouldn’t be fair to him because she still had feelings for Dare. And that was no way to start a relationship with Adam.

She stared down at the steam rising from her cup in a slow coiling cloud and nodded.

“I know. Thanks, but I’m fine.”

*   *   *

But Ashley was far from fine. She pushed open the door to her apartment and walked inside, dropping her briefcase on the floor beside her. She walked to the couch and slumped down, then pulled off her shoes and tossed them across the room toward the entrance, not caring that they landed several feet short, forming a misshapen mess.

She was tired, and lonely. And she missed Dare.

And Adam.

God, when he’d come into the coffee room and offered to be there for her if she wanted to talk … She had so much wanted to take him up on it.

She so much wanted to step into his arms and be held.

She scraped her hair back from her face and rested her head back on the couch. Damn, she had to get a grip.

The phone rang. Thank God.

She snatched up the handset. “Hello?”

“Hi,” Jessica said. “I thought I’d check in on you. How are you doing?”

“Oh, God. Adam talked to me today. Said I could talk to him if I needed to.”

“You told him Dare broke up with you?”

“No, he just knew something was wrong.”

“He’s a really great guy.”

“Yes, he is. But I’m not calling him.” She knew that’s what Jessica was trying to get her to do.

“So text him.”

“Jess…”

“Look, whatever you want to do, but you know I’ve always thought the two of you would be great together.”

“So what are you doing tonight?” Ashley asked, determined to change the subject.

“I’m going out with Eric. But if you want me to come over, I can postpone.”

Although she was tempted, she didn’t want to ruin Jessica’s plans.

“Of course not. I’m fine.”

“You sure?”

“Go out with your guy,” Ashley insisted. “Then call and tell me all about it tomorrow.”

Jessica giggled. “Well, I don’t know if I’ll tell you all about it. But I will call you. Have a good night.”

“Yeah, you, too.”

Ashley hung up and slumped on the couch again.

She walked to the kitchen and retrieved a half bottle of wine from the fridge and a glass, then settled back on the couch and poured herself some. She took a sip, enjoying the warm sensation in her throat, then the coil of heat in her stomach. She took another sip.

It was going to be a long evening.

*   *   *