His mouth lifted at one corner. “Because Kincaid Breslin loves a grudge?”

She made a choked sound, almost a laugh. “Well, okay, I’ll give you that. I am pretty good at them. High horses are my favorite to get up on.”

He gave her a tentative smile.

“God.” She tilted her head back and stared at the ceiling. “I can’t believe you were a virgin.”

He rubbed a hand over the back of his neck. “I can’t believe you couldn’t tell.”

She groaned and faced him, some light coming back into her eyes. “And the name thing. You must’ve demanded every woman you’ve slept with since call out your name.”

He couldn’t help but snort. Only Kincaid would think it was okay to ask him what women called him in bed. “Actually, I prefer they call me sir. When they’re not gagged, that is.”

Her eyebrows shot up, and then she burst out laughing when she realized he was kidding.

“But with all the panting and moaning, they really can’t form words anyway,” he added, deadpan.

She bit her lips together, quelling the laugh, and cocked her head to the side, evaluating him. “You have changed. The Ash I knew would’ve never been able to make that joke without blushing.”

He braced his hands on the counter, leaning forward and lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “Don’t tell anyone, but I’m not a seventeen-year-old virgin anymore.”

He straightened and something unreadable flickered in her eyes. “No, I guess you’re not.” A little line appeared between her brows, but then she smoothed it with a smile. “I was never a seventeen-year-old virgin. I finally beat the overachiever at something.”

He smirked. “Yeah, because dog food guy was an excellent choice for that honor.”

“Lord, don’t remind me.” She got a wistful look. “But do you remember his abs?”

“I remember you talking about his abs. A lot. I tried to block out those conversations.”

“You never had a proper appreciation for girl talk,” she griped.

“Yes. I was a failure as a best friend.”

She huffed.

“No, really,” he said, dropping the playful tone. “I was. I’m not sorry I left. I wouldn’t have survived here. But I’m sorry I abandoned our friendship. I should’ve let you fight it out with me.”

She nodded and wet her lips. “We both made mistakes. I think all this time in my head, I imagined you seduced me, convinced me in my mixed-up state that it would make things better. I felt so sick that it had happened, that I had betrayed Graham so soon after his death. But you didn’t seduce me. You came over to comfort me, and I showed you how I wanted to be comforted.”

“I still should’ve said no,” he said. “I could’ve stopped it.”

“Why didn’t you?” she asked softly.

Because I’d wanted you so long. Because I’d loved you even longer. Because I thought you were finally seeing me like I saw you. “Because I needed to forget what was going on for a little while, too. I wasn’t thinking beyond the next moment back then.”