Fixing Ashley Read Online Free Page A

hadn’t planned on that this week.
    I call Brad to make sure he’s free. He’s the best I’ve got, and we have a lot of trim work left to do, as well as a custom shelving unit in one of the rooms. This is usually something I can do alone, but seeing as this shoulder isn’t cooperating, I’d rather ask for a hand than risk not delivering on time.
    “Man, Laurie’s sister was a mess,” he starts, when I ask how his Saturday night went.
    “Yeah? So I didn’t miss anything, huh?” I grin, thankful I dodged that bullet, then wince because the shoulder pain is running up my neck and holding the phone in the crook wasn’t the best idea.
    “You missed her by about half an hour, and she was already drunk when she got there,” he states, unaware I’m having a hard time holding on to the phone.
    I put it on speaker and rotate my neck before speaking. “Ha,” I chuckle darkly, a little because of the pain in my neck and a lot because, well, I’m glad I didn’t have to put up with her. “I guess that wasn’t a pleasant night, then.”
    “The poor girl. She’s going through a rough time. Laurie introduced us, but all she did was drink and make comments about the couples dancing together. Apparently, she just went through a messy divorce.”
    “Remind me not to go there.” I shake my head, thinking of how pathetic that must feel. “I bet that put a damper in your evening?”
    “Nah, she was nice just...a little...judgmental. She’s twenty-seven and already has a nasty divorce under her belt. That’s got to suck.”
    “I can imagine.” And I can, this is probably Brad’s way of saying she was a raging bitch; of course, he’d never say that about a chick. He’s Brad—all gentlemanly and sweet—never says anything bad about anyone. “So, did you ask Laurie out?”
    “Yeah, we’re going out next weekend.” I can practically hear his smile through the phone line.
    “That’s awesome, man. Listen, I gotta go, my shoulder is killing me. See you tomorrow though, right?” Cracking my neck, I feel the tension there, still throbbing and pulling at it.
    “Yeah, about that. I may be in a little late. I’ve got an install, and I can’t reschedule. It shouldn’t take all morning, but I’ll call you when I’m done.”
    With a resigned sigh, we say our goodbyes and I pray my shoulder is well enough to at least let me do some of the minor things that need to be done on my own.
    . . .
     
    Smoke billows out of my nose and into the warm July air, birds overhead sing their praises, and I watch as ducks land on the lake behind the house.
    I’m here early, but I couldn’t resist. As I had originally thought, the porch does wrap all the way around the house. The view is spectacular. If I take anything away from doing this job, it’s the realization I need my own plot of land, pronto.
    Sitting here on the back porch, drinking coffee, smoking a cig, and just being in the moment, relaxes me more than any of the muscle relaxant meds I’ve taken over the past few days.
    “I told you not to smoke in the house.” Ashley’s harsh voice breaks me out of my Zen state.
    I turn my head and look up at her. Fuck, she looks even angrier than she sounds. And hot. Angry looks very good on Ashley Evans.
    “I’m technically outside,” I challenge, smirking and raising an eyebrow. At this point all the work I’ve put into the house speaks for itself, and she can’t fire me for smoking outside. At least I don’t think she would do that.
    “Yes, well, it’s a disgusting habit.” She turns on her heels—giving me a great view of her ass in that short skirt she’s wearing—and makes it a production to quickly get inside the house and close the door.
    Stubbing out my smoke, I put the rest of it in my pack before pulling myself up and following her inside. My neck still aches, but the meds I took last night helped a lot.
    “I’m sorry, Ashley, but I was outside. Besides, I’m here early as fuck—” I pinch my lips shut