Page 8 of Use Me

I grinned down at her. “It’s been what …?” I trailed off trying to think of a timeframe that would be believable given we weren’t dating and had never been in the public eye together before. Granted who really cared about the love life of the local news people? I didn’t. Though, as I stared down into her dark green eyes with exotic black flecks, I instantly cared who she was really dating. Maybe she was married? But if she were, she could have just flashed her ring to this dude. However, we were acting as though we were a couple so that meant she wasn’t.Right?

Ashtyn answered for me. “Four months tomorrow.”

“Right,” I agreed, my smile widening at just the thought.Bridgette who?

Ashtyn and I both turned our heads to look back at the dude with short, light-brown hair, though I noticed Ashtyn didn’t want to make eye contact with him. “My mistake.”

He left, and Ashtyn’s body instantly relaxed under my arm that was still around her. “Thank you,” she breathed.

I sat back down on the barstool, turning my body to face her. “Dudes hit on you often?” I mean, I assumed they did. Look at her. Straight blonde hair, stunning green eyes, slim shoulders that I was certain led to a flat belly. Her breasts were just big enough for my hand to cup and I wasn’t too sure about her ass, but the way the denim was hugging her thighs made me hard. If I were single—wait, Iwassingle—I could hit on her, and I wouldn’t mind getting to know Ashtyn Valor.

“No.” She gave a tight smile. “I’m not usually alone in a bar on a Saturday night. Or any night for that matter.”

“Neither am I.” I laughed. “What’s the special occasion?”

She reached for her wine glass and finished it off. “Broke up with the real boyfriend.”

“Ouch.” I grabbed my chest as though I’d been wounded. “I’m not sure I like that you’re insinuating I’m your fake boyfriend.”

Ashtyn laughed. “Well … I mean …”

I smiled. “I know. You just want to use me.”

She grinned. “Sorry about that, but thank you. I wasn’t ready to talk to some random guy.”

“Like me,” I deadpanned.

“Luckily I know who you are.”

I nodded. “Just like I know who you are too.”

“The price we pay for being on TV.”

“We’re famous in these parts,” I joked.

“If you say so.”

We both laughed. “Let me buy you another drink. At least to keep up my front as your boyfriend.”

Ashtyn turned to look at her empty glass. “Sure. One more.”

I raised my arm and motioned for the bartender. As Tommy poured her drink, I said to Ashtyn, “If it makes you feel any better, I just broke up with my girlfriend too.”

“I’m sorry,” she replied and reached for her glass.

I took a sip of my whiskey drink. “Did you walk in on him cheating on you too?”

Ashtyn choked on the dark red liquid. “What? You walked in on your girlfriend screwing another guy?”

I nodded and took another sip of my drink, finishing it off. “Inmyfucking bed.”

Her eyes widened. “Wow.”

“I know.” I flagged Tommy again. I was the one who needed another round this time. “I’ll be sleeping on the couch tonight until I can buy new sheets tomorrow.”

“You don’t have a spare set?”

“I’m a guy. I only need one set.”