Hello Again! I had planned to get this up sooner but the real world came and swallowed me up but I'm here now! And thank you to all the awesome readers and those who take time out to follow and review. I hope you enjoy this chapetr, happy Reading guys!
CHAPTER 8: Say Something
It's been a week since I've been back to work, a week since I've seen Spencer and strangely enough I miss her forwardness, sigh. I think I might go to Takers tonight but I have all this work to get done, I'm closing in on the Masterson case and there's just too much to get done. There you go again Ashley, using your mask. I grudgingly eye the pendulum at the edge of my desk wishing I could feel as freely as it swings. There used to be a time when I was like that, a very long time ago. I can't think about any of this anymore I have to be in court in a few hours and turning into a puddle of mush prior is not an option. My chest starts to tighten and I can taste the saltiness as it reaches my lips. How did this get here?
"Ash, Susie from Regal ju—, Ash?" I guess I never heard the door.
Green, her eyes are still so captivating even behind glass, after all these years. This hurts way too much. My body feels weak, the pounding in my head and the unbearable pain in my chest. It's time.
"I'm so sorry baby. I never meant for any of this to happen. I miss you so much. I—I'm sorry Amanda." Her name falling off my lips increased the pain my body was feeling, I hadn't known that—I thought I'd let go already but I was so wrong. For the first time in five years I let myself feel but this isn't what I want to feel, not like this.
"No, no, no Ash, don't cry. Please."
The comfort of Jessie's arms are helping, they always help but God, this feeling is tearing away at me and no matter how long my body's been shaking for, or how many tears fall, it's not going away.
"I'm here for you Ash, I'm right here." Jessie's rubbing circles on my back, I manage to look up over her shoulder and the clock is staring back at me. Shit. I'm going to be late if I don't move. I pull back from Jessie's embrace and wipe my eyes trying to get my breathing under control.
"Jess, I'm going to be late."
"Ashley. Let Connor handle it, you know he will. Go home, get some rest." I know she only wants what's best for me.
"Jessie I can't. I need to finish what I started and I refuse to be the one to put another stick up Connor's ass."
"He does have a nice ass, though. Don't you think so Ash?"
"Really Jess?" I raise my eyebrow at her and she turns a bright red before clearing her throat. I think I need to start doing some digging. "It's just my closing argument Jess, last day. I'm taking some time off after this."
"Ashley! Seriously!?"
I'm crying again, "Really."
"Oh Ash, don't cry. Regardless of the reason this is a good thing." Jess is holding me impossibly close and I know I'm crying again, the pain is back.
"This was not a crime, but an opportunity taken for advancements to develop jobs and create a future. And for that sole reason your honor, Will Masterson should not be found guilty. Simply put; he did nothing wrong."
"Thank you counsellor, the jury will now proceed. We'll meet back here in thirty minutes. Court is now adjourned."
Wipe that smirk of your face Masterson. I'm your lawyer but I don't like you.
"Well Davies, when they said you were the best they meant it, looks like we got this one in the bag."
"Don't count your blessings just yet sir, the verdict hasn't been read yet."
"Smart, beautiful and modest! I love it and I appreciate everything that you've done for me thus far. I know you may not like me but this image is just for the industry, I'm a halfway decent, ask my wife and my little girl."
His eyes just lit up at the mention of his family; maybe he's not so bad after all.
This has got to be one of the longest half an hour of my known existence. I'm in no rush but could this moment be moving any slower? When I look around I see Jess coming into the courtroom with a huge grin on her face.
"Jess what are you doing here?"
"I came to support my best friend and future lawyer. I sort of got myself in a bind."
"Oh God, Jessica what did you do?"
"Chill out Ashley, I was only joking. I brought you some lunch, figured you might be hungry. Then I forgot it in the car but I have Joey's"
I can't help the smile that forms on my face when she holds up Joey's trademark java cup in front of my face. "Thank you," I'm grateful for Joey. As usual, I can feel myself coming together after the first sip.
"You're welcome. It appears you guys are back in session, I'll be out front waiting for you in the car."
I'm convinced that the coffee is responsible for the time warp but hey, I'm not complaining at all.
"After much deliberation, in the case of Will Masterson, the accused of two counts of fraud, one count of plagiarism and one count of harassment; we the jury find the defendant not guilty."
I won my case, bruised Connor's ego, no smart remarks from the judges and made a bankroll, all in a day's work. Now it's back to the office to clear out and pack up for this long overdue vacation. When I get into the car I notice boxes in the back seat with my things already packed. I look over at Jessie who has a wide grin on her face, the only thing I can do is say, 'thank you.'
"Don't thank me yet, not yet." I eye her curiously
"Jess, what did you do?"
"I didn't do anything Ash, I'm just really happy you're finally taking this well needed time off."
"I can get to spend some quality time with my dad,"
"With Spencer—,"
"Jesus Jessica, what did you do!?"
"No, not Jesus and I didn't do anything Ashley I swear. I just figured, you'll have time to see her if you wanted to."
"I do,"
Jessie cocks her head to the side a bit stunned. "You do, what Ash?"
"I do want to see her," makes no sense hiding that anymore. "I've been thinking about seeing her all week. And it was the first time in five years that I hadn't thought about Amanda so when I saw the photo it broke me, I felt guilty…and a host of other feelings."
"Ash, I'm sorry." What did I do to deserve her in my life? Oh I know, being a wuss pays off with perfect friends. I reach across to hug her.
"I love you Jess,"
"I love you too Ash, are you going to Takers tonight?"
I start laughing; I swear she never lets up.
"Thinking about it," I say honestly. The first honest thought I've had in a while.
"I heard you're going into retirement now my darling daughter so tell me, where are you taking your old man?"
"Hello to you too dad, I'm glad I'm home too." I roll my eyes at him and he starts smiling.
"What, the Masterson case is all over the news and word on the street is my hotshot lawyer daughter won't have to work another case for the rest of her life after winning this one."
"You know that's not true dad,"
"Is it?"
"I can neither confirm nor deny those claims."
"I see. Dinner will be ready in ten my hotshot lawyer turned millionaire daughter," and with that he's back in the kitchen. He's something else; how my mother put up with him I'll never know.
"So how do you plan on spending your time off?"
My eyes go wide and I almost choke on my food. I swallow quickly before answering, "I'm going fishing with you and Jeffery," I know he hears the sarcasm dripping from my tongue.
"Really?" Or maybe not.
"No dad, I was being sarcastic."
"I know but an old man can dream right? But really though Ashley, do you have any plans, any special plans?"
"I don't know what you and Jessie spoke about but I'm not doing it, and no dad I have no special plans." I didn't say it as harshly as it sounded.
"Okay," he chews another piece of asparagus, swallowing before putting the glass of water to his lips, "Jessica told me what happened today Ashley, and baby before you say anything I just want you to know that I am so very proud of you."
"Dad—
"I'm not finished," his eyes water a little and once again I feel my stomach fall, I hate that I have this kind of effect on him, I don't like it when he's so sad. "When I lost your mother—,"
"Dad, please."
"All I'm saying is sweetie, it takes strength to do what you did today and I'm glad you were finally able to let it all out. It just means you can start to move forward. I'm not saying to forget about her, I would never do that; but now you can start to be happy and I have a feeling that this blonde you want to see so much is going to be a big part of that."
I know the color in my cheeks just went a shade brighter.
"It's good to know your old man can still embarrass you dear."
"That's not funny dad."
"Who said I was joking?"
"You're insufferable,"
"I love you too."
"Are you sure you're my father?"
"I see too much of myself in you for you to not be my daughter. The question is who your mother is?"
"Dad!"
He's laughing till his eyes start to water, "I'm sorry sweetheart but you started it."
"You're one of a kind daddy and I love you so much."
"I love you too Ashley, and you're a heck of a woman, you got that from your mother."
"I'm going out tonight, just for a little while though."
"Going to see Spencer?" His eyes light up when he says her name, I'm sure mine did as well.
"Maybe, I'm not sure."
"Okay." Wow, that was easy.
"This is good dad, real good."
"I'm a master chef Ashley, what can I say?"
"I'll have a rum and coke!" I think I just used the last of my voice on that order, who knew a bar would be this packed on a Wednesday night. I look around scanning the room for Spence but I don't see her. Oh God no, not tonight, this is not happening I groan inwardly. She's moving towards me before I can even move and there's nowhere to make a detour. Damn.
"What do you say tonight, want a dance?"
I'm panicking, why am I panicking, I'm Ashley Davies, badass. I do not panic.
"Hello Mar—,"
"No dancing tonight Martha, she's with me," that voice.
"Sorry to disappoint," thank God for that. I turn around to a piercing set of blue eyes and I'm beside myself, I think I just found my new favorite color.
"Hi."
"H—hello," I knew I wanted to see her, I didn't know I was anticipating it this much.
"So can I get you another one of those?" She's pointing to my empty glass; I must've gulped it down when Martha was making her way across the room.
"Sure, I'd love another."
"One rum and coke coming right up, Randy! A rum and coke for the hot brunette over here."
Before I can say anything she's looking back at me and smiling, "Yes, I said hot and yes, you are."
I'm speechless at the moment.
"I like that shade on your cheeks, it's cute." She nods over to the back where we sat the last time, grabbing my hand and leading me through the crowd. I feel a jolt and Spencer looks back at me all the while smiling.
"So is this like the VIP area?"
"It is actually," she's grinning and it hits me how much I've missed seeing it. I'm not sure what's happened in the last week but you need to get it together Davies. Now I'm talking about myself in the third person, something's definitely wrong.
"I'd ask you to dance but this place is packed and I'd rather not have to be fighting off horny people who want to grope you.
"Spencer?"
"Hmnh?" She's smirking at me and I know she knows what I'm thinking.
"Forward,"
"Sorry. Hey, um I saw you on the news today. I never knew you were a lawyer, but then again there's not much that I know about you and I was sort of hoping that I would get to know more 'but then a whole week passed and I didn't see you, or hear from you not that you have my number and I j—," I've reached across the table and grabbed her hand, running circles with my thumb to get her to calm down. I forgot how cute she was when she rambled.
As I'm staring back at her the noise in the bar has been drowned and the only sound audible is that of Spencer's breathing, then just above a whisper, "Yes, I'm a lawyer, Harvard grad to be exact. I was hoping that I could get to know more about you too and you can have my number if you want."
"Ashley?"
"Spencer?"
"Forward," she's smiling and I'm starting to realize how infectious it really is.
"I realized." I shouldn't be doing this. I pull back and all too quickly curse myself for the loss of contact. "I have to go." What am I saying?
Her forehead creases together and the smile falls from her face and I want to take it back so badly but I can't.
"Huh, why?"
"I'm really tired, and I had a busy day today," Lies…half lie…lies.
"Right, I saw that. Okay. I'll walk you to your car."
"Okay." I'm such an idiot.
We're standing by my car and I've never felt this awkward before. As much as I've been staring down at the ground I can feel her eyes on me. She's been staring at me for the last minute waiting for me to say something.
"When will I see you again," she breathes.
"I—I'm not sure." I still haven't looked at her.
"Oh."
"Yea,"
"Ashley?"
I'm scared to move but when her hand reaches out and tilts my chin up to face her I can't do anything but be guided. As I'm staring into her ocean blue eyes, I see a half smile making its way to her lips. "I'm never usually like this; well I'm never ever like this but I find myself feeling strangely different with you." She takes my hand and guides it just above her left breast and I feel my knees buckle. "That happens every time I'm next to you, even when you're just a thought." I'm not sure what to say. "I know that's not supposed to happen, I just met you and for all I know you might think I'm crazy but…I like you Ashley. So forgive me for being forward."
I feel my body pressed against my car, Spencer's hands supporting my waist and her lips on my neck, tasting a path to the corner of my jaw before licking my lower lip and taking it into her mouth, sucking ever so gently before she kisses me fully. I feel like I'm about to pass out. I pull her in closer tilting my head to give her better access as her tongue flicks out begging for permission. I moan into her mouth as her tongue glides across my own massaging the caverns of my mouth and I want more. As Spencer presses further into me, my body arches out to meet her, all the while her hands gripping my hips to keep me under control. I reach up and wrap my arms around her neck pulling her in further. After what seemed like an eternity Spencer reluctantly pulls back, our foreheads pressed together, her eyes staring into mine as if she's searching for something. I stare back at her silently, listening to her breathing steadying, waiting.
"Ash,"
I question her with my gaze unmoving.
"Say Something."
What are you going to say Ashley; you've been standing here for the last 10 minutes like a mute as this woman bared her soul to you while kissing you into next week and still can't speak. Get it together Davies. Before I know it I'm feeling soft lips against my own, slowly licking the corners of mouth before begging for entrance. The difference is this time I'm kissing her. I'm baring my soul to her.