"Hmm..." Voice raspy, Ashley responded to the tune coming from her phone.

Then it occurred to her that her phone was ringing.

Ashley jumped.

Rubbing sleep off her eyes, she grabbed her phone from the top of the small drawer that was next to her bed.

She was about to widen her eyes when loud music from downstairs filled her ears, causing her to hiss.

Why would anyone decide to loudly play songs that early in the morning? It was already enough that some of her neighbours were annoying people who took joy in being stupidly snobbish.

Dragging her clear sight away from the distant window and to the screen of her phone, she saw that the caller was Katie.

Katie, a tall woman with an intimidating yet beautiful presence, was her next-door neighbour and the only neighbour she liked.

She was the only one in that entire street that showed interest in being her friend.

The rest of the street was more interested in displaying the fact that they found joy in gossiping about Ashley or whatever it was they did whenever they see her walk out of her house during their morning meetings.

"Hello, Katie," Ashley's groggy voice greeted.

"Good morning, Ashley," a cherry tone replied, TV sounds from the other end reaching Ashley's ears. "I just heard about the divorce. I am so sorry for not checking on you all these while. I just came back from my long holiday this morning. How are you feeling?"

"I am getting better. And, it is fine, Katie." Ashley cleared her throat and her voice became itself. "I could not call you because I didn't want to disturb your rest."

"Nonsense! How would you be disturbing me? Anyway, it is good to know that you have moved on," Ashley frowned, she wondered what she meant, "your boyfriend is out here dancing to our amusement."

"Boyfriend?"

"Oh please, don't pretend with me. You finally got a man that suits your look."

Dancing? Boyfriend?

Ashley was further confused.

"What are you talking about?"

"Oh come on, Ash. There is this good-looking man dancing in front of your house to loud music playing from his car."

"What?"

"Just come outside and see for yourself."

Ashley rushed out of her bed, and in no time, she was outside her house, wrapped in a robe she found at the foot of her bed.

There was loud music alright. And a man twisting his body melodiously to the rocky song playing.

Her mouth and eyes wide open in surprise, Ashley's legs walked further onto the lawn.

Taking off his shirt to the delight of his gathered and interested audience, Dave turned to face Ashley's house. And, when his eyes fell on her unbelieving ones, he smirked and danced closer to her.

"What on earth are you doing?" she asked, her voice pitchy.

Ashley had no idea if she should be embarrassed or angry or excited.

He began to dance around her in a seductive manner, her cheeks growing hot because of their growing proximity.

"I am being silly," he replied.

"Why?"

He grabbed her hand and began to play puppeteer with them.

"Today, I aim to make you happy." He stopped in front of her. She did not miss his new hairdo and the way it curled to the front to cover part of his forehead. "I want to see a smiling Ashley today."

Seeing his action as highly stupid, Ashley shook her head in disapproval. Certain plead in her eyes, she tried not to look at the neighbours as she said, "Please turn off the music and let's go in."

"No." Dave began to sway his sexy body again, his eyes not leaving hers. "I am not stopping the music until you dance to the point of happiness. Ashley Steve, until I see you smile, I am not turning off that music."

Gasping unbelievably, her eyes still filled with the same reaction, Ashley craned her neck to see if her neighbours were still watching...

Their eyes were glued on both of them as though they were their favorite show.

"Dance with me, Ashley Steve," Dave whispered into her ears as the song changed to fast-beat country music.

"Dave..."

"We are not leaving here until you dance," he reminded her and she gave in. Dave's persistence and her stubbornness would never go hand in hand. "What are you waiting for, Ashley? Forget your problems for a few minutes and just dance with me. You had better make up your mind on time. I am already considering picking one of your neighbours to be my partner and from the looks of it, they will be more than happy to dance with me. "

Her brows quirked.

"Dance with me." Dave grabbed her hand and twirled her on the spot. By the time the turn ended, Ashley had a shy smile playing on her lips.

And soon, she began to move her shoulders to the rhythm of the song, soon her hands joined, then her legs(well partially). Soon, she was hand in hand with the silly handsome man, dancing away, their cheeks resting against each other.

And Ashley realized that Dave Scott was right.

As they moved to the rhythm, she forgot all about her issues. She didn't even give a damn about her neighbours.

At that moment, it was just her and Dave. And, the huge smile that brightened her face.

But the feeling coursing through her was strange. But then, it had been a while since she felt nothing but happiness. Ashley knew how short-lived that feeling was going to be, so she was going to enjoy it while it lasted.

Ashley closed her eyes and she began to savour the fact that Dave was so close to her. Apart from the growing flush in her face, her heart began to jump in reaction to her closeness to Dave Scott.

Soon, her smile flattered. It was too early for her heart to jump. She had already established that the previous day.

"You had better be smiling back there," Dave's teasing voice brought her smile back.

What on earth was Dave Scott doing to her?

The music, unfortunately, came to an end. Dave pulled away and when he saw the glow that was planted on Ashley's face, he smiled, and her heart warmed.

"Mission accomplished," he said with pride and brought out his phone.

"Are we done?"

"Why... Is someone loving the party already?" Dave was very playful with his words and actions. That was something Ashley was not used to. "No worries, we are not done. Let us go in and get you started for the day ahead."

"Alright, Dave Scott." He gave a deep chuckle. "What?" Ashley asked amusedly.

Damn, even his laughter affected her in a way she could not ignore.

"I like how you say my name, it makes me want to hear it every day." Ashley sighed inwardly. The man was torturing her heart and he had no idea. "I also love your smile," he added.

To hide the smile that was gradually adding inches to her lips, Ashley teased him, saying, "Don't flirt with me, Dave Scott."

A throaty groan escaped his lips. "Don't say my name like that, Ashley Steve, it makes me want to do stuff to you."

'Your voice makes me want to do stuff to you,' she wanted to correct him. But she pushed that aside and asked, "So, what are we doing today?"

Dave grabbed her hand and walked her toward the door she left open. As she caught a whiff of his intoxicating smell, he said, "We are going to make you resume your work today."