“Didn’t expect my night to get so exciting. You thought you were being followed?”
“Pretty sure I was.”
“Well, not by me. I was just heading home. I’m Danny Carmichael.”
I lowered the pepper spray, though I didn’t put it back in my bag. “I know. I’ve seen your photo in your office window on Main Street.”
He laughed again. “Of course. And you must be the new girl who’s staying with Ashford O’Neal. I’ve seen you around. Sadly, I don’t recall your name.”
His eyes traced down my body, slowly moving back up again.
I gave him a brittle smile.Eyes to yourself, buddy.
“I’m Emma. I know your ex-wife, Piper. She’s a good friend.”
His smile dulled.
“I should get going,” I added.
“Happy to walk you.”
After the way he’d just ogled me, I didn’t relish the idea of him escorting me home. But maybe it was better than nothing. Especially if I texted several friends that I’d be with him.
Then a gruff voice said, “I’ll walk her,” and a very different kind of shiver passed across my skin.
Ashford had just turned the corner. He frowned at Danny, whose smile turned into a smug smirk. “Ashford.”
His nostrils flared. “Danny. You can go now.”
“I see you haven’t learned civility since the last time we spoke.”
“Nope, I’m the same. I assume you are too.”
Danny’s gaze slid back over to me. “Pleasure to meet you, Emma. See you around.”
“Asshat,” Ashford muttered as Danny walked away and disappeared around the corner. “Never liked that guy.”
I was about to ask why, but then I noticed how hard Ashford was breathing. “Are you okay? You’re out of breath.”
“I just ran up and down all the surrounding streets trying to find you.” He pushed back his hair from his forehead. “Didn’t know which direction you were heading after you left the brewery.”
I tucked the pepper spray back into my bag. “You could’ve called my phone.”
“Would you have answered? I thought you left with that tourist you were cozying up to and went back to his hotel room.”
I’d had similar thoughts about Ashford and the blond. Which only stoked my anger. “Why on earth would I do that?”
“Because I assume he’s not a jerk if you spent so much time with him tonight. And he’s age appropriate. Probably has a carefree lifestyle and multiple zeros in his bank account.”
My brow wrinkled. “Do you think Ishould’vegone with him?”
“Fuck no,” Ashford growled, and closed the distance between us.
His hands cupped my face. I inhaled, chin lifting as I looked up at him.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered.
Warmth spread from every place he was touching me. “What about the blond?”
