“You like girls?” I joked, taking a bite of my toast.

“Come on. I’m serious.”

“Ok, so you were a little abrasive. But there was some part of you that still seemed slightly interested.”

“Really?”

“You were too mean to me not to be interested.”

She nods and smiles, and just like always, her smile slays me.

“I do. I do like you. But I have to be honest, Spence. I don’t know long this can last.”

“Ashley, we haven’t even started anything.”

“Oh, come on. You know that we have. And what I’m saying is that I can’t promise anything.”

“I know.”

“I can’t really do relationships like this, you know? This job doesn’t really allow for that sort of thing.”

“I know.”

“And I like you. I want to get to know you better—whatever that means—but that’s really all I can do.”

“I know. Ashley…I know, ok? I get it.”

“I don’t want to disappoint you.”

“Listen, I’m going into this with my eyes wide open. I’m not sure if you realize this, but you and I have the same job. I know how this works. And even if I didn’t, you and I are just playing this thing by ear. Whatever happens, happens.”

“Cool, so we’re on the same page?”

“No.”

“No?”

“I’m way ahead of you, Davies.”

“You’re cute,” she says, reaching across the table to move a loose strand of hair behind my ear. Her touch leaves me breathless.

“Really, really cute,” she repeats.

Kyla walks in and for some reason my stomach lurches as if Ashley and I are doing something wrong.

“Oh, Kyla…hey!” I say awkwardly.

“Um…hi,” she says, ignoring us and peering into the fridge.

“Dad called, Ky,” Ashley said, more casually than I had expected.

“What did he want?”

“Dinner on Sunday.”

“Where?”

“Mom’s.”

“Wait, my mom or your mom?”