Ash gave me an attractive smirk that had my tummy doing cartwheels as he walked to the side of the stage.

"He's definitely into you, Jo!" Clara bounced on her toes with excitement.

She was so sure he was interested in me, but I wasn't. Maybe he seemed happy to see me. Before my thoughts could go any further, the breathy voice was back on the microphone.

"It's time for a short break, but we'll be back for our next set in just a few minutes!"

She stepped to the side of the stage and put her hand out to be helped down by Ash. My heart sank. He was with her? Well, it made sense.

Seeing them, Clara turned to me, "I changed my mind. She's not that great. In fact, her face is kinda weird, and her singing is flat."

I grinned as we walked back to our table and sat, "Thanks, but it's OK."

"What's OK?" asked the deep voice I was growing very fond of. Looking behind me, I came face to face with Ash, who was leaning over the back of my chair. He was always sneaking up on me.

"Hi," I squeaked. My face was warm, and the tingles were back.

Oh my crap! Did he hear what Clara was saying? I looked at her, and she was of no help. She was too busy, gawking at Ash. I couldn't really blame her; he was pretty distracting.

"Are you two enjoying the music?" He was leaning in to talk to me, making it hard to think.

"Umm, yeah, she's great," but I guess you already knew that.

"She has a good voice," he agreed, "but I've always thought her show is a bit over the top."

I wondered if that was true, but before I could say anything, Clara jumped in, "Really? You were awfully quick to help her down a minute ago." She was past gawking; she'd moved on to sitting with her arms crossed, giving off loads of attitude.

Still, he smiled at her, "I was saying hello. She invited me out to see her set, so I was letting her know I'm here."

She invited him, what did that mean? Were they together or not? How could I ask without seeming too interested?

"So, is she your girlfriend or what?" Clara asked.

Nevermind, Clara's on it. I gave her my best what the hell face. Tact wasn't really her thing. I guess I was glad she asked.

Ash looked puzzled, "Dahlia? No, never, she's not my type."

Clara didn't look convinced, "What's wrong, she's too pretty?"

Shut up, Clara! I screamed in my head.

Ash chuckled, "No, I don't have a problem with pretty."

I could feel him looking at me, but I didn't move. Tingles exploded into a full-on flood of butterflies, and my face was so hot I knew it must look like a tomato. Thank goodness the lighting was dim.

He shrugged, "I've known Dahlia a long time. I've just never thought of her that way."

Before Clara could interrogate him further, I said, "Do you want to sit with us?"

"I'd like that. I'm going to get a drink first. Can I get you two anything?"

"No, thanks," Clara answered.

"Jolie?" I loved the way he said my name.

"No thanks, I've had enough caffeine." With him around, I'd be jumpy enough.

He walked to the bar to place his order, and I turned to Clara, "What the hell!" I whispered, "Do you have any control over your mouth?"

"Not really," she giggled, "but you love it!" She shrugged her shoulders, looking totally unrepentant, "I knew you weren't going to ask, now you know. You're welcome."

I narrowed my eyes at her, "OK, you're right. Thanks. But no more! Lay off, OK?"

Sighing dramatically, she said, "Fine, no more meddling. I'll let you guys talk while I enjoy the view." She wiggled her eyebrows toward the bar, making sure I understood that by view, she meant Ash.

I shook my head and smiled as he came back with a mug and sat beside me.

"Is that hot tea?" I asked, peering into his cup.

"Yes, green tea with a little honey is my favorite."

"Really? That's different. I think the only other person I've ever seen drink hot tea without being sick is Bea." 

Ash sat up straighter and looked at me with a suddenly serious face; he almost looked angry. Wow, he feels really strongly about tea. I didn't mean to offend him.

Before I could say anything, he tilted his head to look around me toward the door. "The boy that upset you at school is here. I think he wants to cause a problem."

I glanced behind me, and Richard was coming in the door. How did Ash know he was here? He had to look around me to see him.

Before I could ask, Clara looked toward the door and said, "Dang it, he has Ben and Toby with him too." She huffed and rolled her eyes, "I really wish I hadn't dated Toby last year. It's embarrassing now that I know what a jerk he is."

I glanced from Clara to Ash, and he leaned back in his chair, looking relaxed, but he kept his eyes on the guys behind me. I knew he regretted his decision to sit here when the chair next to Clara pulled back, and Toby sat sideways with his back to Ash.

"Hey, Clara," he gave her a little smirk before looking at me with his nose scrunched up like I smelled bad. "You weren't very nice this morning, Jolie. Richard was just trying to help you, and you had to go and be a bitch."

I rolled my eyes. I didn't care what those idiots thought of me. Ash surprised me by leaning toward him like he would say something, but of course, there was no need with Clara around.

"I know you didn't just sit by me, uninvited, to call my friend names. Why don't you go away before I tell everyone how you thought you were going to get some last year until I found out what a tiny little pee-pee you have?"

I snorted, trying to hold back my laugh, but Toby's eyes bugged out of his head, and he looked pissed, "That never happened!"

Clara shrugged, "And Richard wasn't trying to help anyone, and Jolie's not a bitch. I guess we're all just making stuff up." She made a face like she was contemplating what she'd said, "But I bet my thing's true."

Toby was so mad he looked like his head might pop. He swung his hand toward Clara's drink to knock it on her. I only had time to gasp as Clara put her hands up to block the splash. Ash grabbed Toby by his shirt and pulled him backward out of his chair onto the floor before he could hit her drink.

He was crazy fast. Clara and I looked at each other in surprise before she looked down at Toby and dumped her glass full of frozen coffee on him.

"You big jerk! You were going to get me all messy like that? You're lucky Ash was here to stop you, or I might've had to beat the crap out of you in front of everyone."

Toby was dripping and looking outraged when Meg, the bartender, came over. She leaned over him to see the mess and said, "I think you and your friends need to leave before I make you mop this room."

"She's the one that threw her drink on the floor!" He yelled.

Meg shook her head, "No, she threw it on you. I never have any problems out of these two girls, so you need to get out and quit dripping on my floor."

Toby looked like he wanted to say something else, but Ben and Richard helped him up and led him toward the door. Of course, they were all giving us hateful looks on their way out.

I turned to Ash, "That was nuts! How did you move him so fast?"

He shrugged, "He felt so angry, I thought he was going to hit her. Although, I wouldn't have let him spill a drink on you either," he gave Clara a little nod.

She smiled at him, "Thanks, Ash, I appreciate that."

But something was off, "What do you mean he felt angry?"

He looked at me with big eyes and a blank face but didn't say anything.

"You meant he looked angry, right?"

He nodded, "Yes, he looked angry."

I glanced at Clara, and it didn't seem like she noticed anything strange. I was sure I was over-analyzing, he did a good thing, and I was glad. Looking around the room, I realized everyone near us was staring.

Clara shook her head and looked at the melting coffee on the floor, "Sorry about that, Meg. He kept most of it on him, though! I'll clean the rest of this up if you'll let me borrow your mop."

Meg smiled, "Thanks, hun. It's over there in the closet. Just clean it up, so no one slips, and I'll fix you a new drink, no charge."

"Thanks!" Clara smiled, but when she turned toward me, she noticed everyone was looking. "I think we're going to go after I clean this up."

"That's OK, I'll fix that drink to go," Meg patted Clara on the shoulder before walking away.

"Thanks," I gave Clara a little smile.

"No problem," she grinned before going to get the mop.

I looked at Ash as we waited at the table, "I bet you're sorry you sat with us, huh?"

Ash shook his head,  "Not at all. I'm sorry the night is being cut short. I was glad to run into you. Do you think I could walk you home?"

It was exciting knowing he still wanted to hang out, but I didn't want to leave Clara hanging. She was back with the mop, so I got up to move the chairs out of her way before answering him. When I looked at her, she gave me giant eyes that let me know she'd heard.

"That would be nice, but I came with Clara, and we were planning to hang out tonight."

Clara shook her head, "That's alright! I don't need help driving home, and I was getting tired anyway, it's pretty late," big fake yawn.

"Well, if you're sure, and you really don't want to hang out?"

Clara tilted her head just a little. I knew she was asking if I wanted to go with him, so I gave her a nod, and she said, "I'm way too tired to hang out," with a lot more enthusiasm than someone who was actually tired.

I giggled and rolled my eyes at her. Looking at Ash, I said, "Walking home would be nice."

He smiled, "Great!"

Clara cleaned the spill up quickly, and I put the chairs back while she returned the mop and stopped by the bar to get her drink. On our way out, Ash stopped at the stage to tell Dahlia he was leaving as the music started up again.

"Alright, everyone, we're ready if you are," the breathy voice followed us out the door.

In the parking lot, I said bye to Clara, and she said, "Call me as soon as you get home. No rush though, walk slowly," and winked at me.

Warm embarrassment rushed to my face.

Ash coughed, but it sounded suspiciously like a laugh, "I'll make sure she gets home safely."

"Oh, I'm not worried about Jo. I wouldn't leave her if I were; that girl can take care of herself." She closed her car door, and within a second, she was leaving.

There was a moment of awkwardness before Ash spoke, "I don't know where you live, so lead the way," he put out his arm for me to hold.

It was such an unusual gesture, but very sweet. I put my hand around his bicep and started walking before I could get distracted and start staring again.

Thank you for reading!! 💜