Page 66

Big kiss.Even though they were just friends, it was good to have someone new around. Someone new, who felt like they’d always been there. And unlike Fran, Ash actually made Alice feel good about herself.

Good day, thanks. I rested a bit, but also did a workout and I’m about to eat some broccoli. Isn’t that what doctors like to hear?

Best not to mention the wine and Monster Munch.

Have a good shift and say hello to George from me. See you tomorrow X

Big kiss back at her, but the energy of something left unsaid thrummed through Alice’s fingers. Was it weird that she’d missed her? Seriously, how could you miss someone you hadn’t even known existed five days ago? …or perhaps it was Ash who’d always been missing?

No, stop it.

She had missed her though, and the urge to tell her was strong, which was ridiculous because Ash had made it clear she just wanted to be friends. Still, Alice couldn’t shake the sensation of the spark between them. George had only been half-conscious and he’d noticed it too, so…

“I know that look, Al. Please tell me you’re not texting Fran.”

Alice snapped her head up and took in Maggie’s concerned frown. “What? No! She doesn’t have this number and I’m not a complete moron… it’s just Ash.”

“JustAsh?”

“You know, the doctor you met at my place the other day.”

“Oh, I thought you said that wasn’t anything?”

“It’s not.”

Maggie raised her eyebrows and chuckled. “Tell your face that.”

Alice flushed with heat. “Stop it. It isn’t like that. Ash just wants to be friends.”

“And you?”

“Yeah, me too. I could do with a friend right now.”

Maggie passed a full plate over the counter and Alice’s mouth watered as she took it, inhaling the delicious aroma of baked salmon.

“Just be careful, Al.”

“I am house-trained, Mags!”

Maggie rolled her eyes. “Not with the plate. With your heart. Give yourself some time. Fran was toxic. You need to heal from that.”

“I know, and I am. I honestly feel so much better already, and it’s only been a few days.”

After the initial heartache, followed by the shock of Jeremy’s revelation, something inside Alice had lifted. Even when she’d been considering a future with Fran, it hadn’t ever felt real. There was always something hazy and intangible about it. But now, at the point where everything was so uncertain, possibilities were blooming inside her.

She’d just denied it, but she felt an undeniable pull towards Ash, with her kind nature and buoyant confidence, which would never be too much because she was also adorably bashful. And there was the soft lilt of a Northern accent Alice hadn’t even known she found attractive until it came from Ash’s very kissable lips. She’d thought about Ash’s strong arms more than once and how they’d feel wrapped around her, whilst those capable hands explored her body.

“Mmm,” Alice groaned.

“You like it?”

“Huh?” Wide-eyed, she looked at Maggie across the table.

“The salmon?”

“Oh, yeah. Delicious.” Alice speared another forkful and steered it into her mouth.

Of course, her older, wiser sister was right — she should slow and steady herself, not yield to her tendency to dive headlong into situations and relationships… wasn’t it that which had made her such easy prey for Fran?