Capítulo 288: Forty four
After taking a moment to gather himself, Ashley clears his throat and reaches for a glass of wine from one of the waiters passing by.
He drains the glass, and looks at me puzzled, " If Mason hasn't passed the message along, and you felt insulted by my lack of manners, I sincerely apologise," He licks his lips, putting some thought into his next words," I'll be honest with you," He undoes his bow tie, and shoves it in the pocket of his suit trousers, clearly frazzled, " I like you. I like you a whole lot. I haven't met anyone quite like you. You're so beautiful that it hurts my eyes when I look at you. I know, you could do better than me, but give me a chance," He says soulfully, for once holding my gaze without being tempted to look down. He undoes the top buttons of his shirt, flustered and swipes another glass of wine, returning the empty one. And here I thought I was a nervous wreck.
Also, not good. If I say no, I am a cold-hearted bitch. If I say, yes Mason will blow a gasket. I can see from the look on his face that he is one breath away from grabbing Ashley by the scruff of his neck and toss him into the nearest wall. And of course, I didn't get the message. Mason wouldn't have smoothened things for Ashely.
" No, I didn't feel insulted, " I begin carefully, while Mason inches closer almost imperceptibly, " It has nothing to do with, well, everything. It's more of a personal choice. I'm going through a challenging time and I'd like to focus my attention on reaching a resolution on other matters that require my immediate attention, " I think that sounded vague enough, and also believable. And to be completely honest not a lie in its entirety.
" I can understand that," He rubs the back of his neck, looking troubled, " I know from Emmeline that Eric had you on probation for three months after you enrolled. She said that it was a smooth transition and you're progressing rather fast. She is impressed, " If she is, she has never shown it. It would be nice to get a bit of recognition.
I bite down on my retort when he opens his mouth to speak again, but Mason slides in, placing his hand on Ashley's shoulder, smirking.
" Everything alright? " He asks, pretending to be concerned, but the spark of mischief in his eyes betrays him, and I can see that he couldn't be happier. He shouldn't have been privy to this conversation. I guess, he got what he wanted, and he is having a bit of trouble keeping a tight leash on his urge to gloat. Damn him.
" All good," Ashley replies with a small smile, " We were just catching up," A waiter passes by with a tray of hors d'oeuvre, and Ashley catches him by the wrist, snatching the tray from his hand.
Stuffing one in his mouth, " Finally," He sighs content. The look of pure pleasure and relief has me frowning, " I've been watching my figure since you agreed to go on a date, " He takes another one, " I'm starving, " And another one goes, and then another.
Mason and I exchange looks for a second, and then turn back to him. I for one, I'm dying to hear that story, Mason on the other hand is on the verge of laughing his ass off.
" Pardon," I say, confused, while Ashley takes the liberty to clean the tray and then hands it over to a passing waiter. There are so many of them circling the house.
Licking his fingers, " Yeah. Believe it or not, I was a bit nervous about our date. I haven't eaten much since Christmas day. I mean, look at you. You're stunning, " He grabs another tray of hors d'oeuvre, " I don't think I'm cut out to date a woman as beautiful as you. I can't handle the pressure. I get performance anxiety only thinking about it, " Unable to hold back, Mason starts laughing, and I bite back the smile threatening to spread on my lips. I'm not ugly, but that's a bit of a stretch.
" You're pathetic," Mason chuckles and winks at me. It seems that the storm has passed and the clouds are parting.
" I am, " Ashley shoves some food in his mouth, so far wiping clean a second tray of food, " Right now, I am a pathetic man with a full stomach. By all accounts it's much better than a pathetic man with an empty stomach," Pating him on the back, Mason nods in agreement.
" Stick to the average. It's safe territory for you," He chuckles some more, ever so slightly shifting on his feet an inch closer to me.
" You know, I like average. The average is good. I'm average, I'll stay in my lane, " There is something about Ashely's honesty that leaves me stunned. He is handsome, not as handsome as Mason, but you wouldn't walk past him without giving him a once-over.
He is slightly shorter than me, and there is something to be said about those ginger curls. They are extremely sexy. And those pale green eyes, his freckled rosy skin untouched by the sun, is a very particular kind of handsome. Quite rare.
" Nonsense," I interject, " You are very handsome. Don't sell yourself short. Unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be for us but I'm sure you'll find someone just right for you at the right time," I try to inject some glee into my tone, to stave off the intense look Mason is thrown my way.
Ashley puts his hands up, " Hold it right there. No one said anything about marriage. I'm not ready to marry, " He glances around the room, " I'm not one to play house. I'm not done fucking around. Look around you. Plenty poppets in the sea, darling," He gives Mason a pointed look, " By the way, where is your fiancé? Honestly, if Lily hadn't brought it up, I wouldn't have remembered she existed," He smirks at Mason, who has reverted to glaring at Ashley in the blink of an eye.
" Otherwise preoccupied," Mason grinds out through clenched teeth.
Ashely rocks on his feet for a second, thinking about it, " So, not invited, " He hums, and Mason presses his hand on Ashley's face giving him a gentle nudge.
" Can we talk about something else," Mason pleads, Ashley nods, and then looks again around the room.
" You two can talk all you want. I'm talking someone home tonight," Right. Of course.
" Really, you can hold a conversation as long as there is a chance of getting some," I say with mock incredulity.
" You seem shocked," Ashley smirks
" I am, " Ahley laughs.
" I teach one-on-one courses about male physiology," He takes a step back, " Let me know if you're interested," And another, " I could teach you a thing or two. No strings attached, " He bumps into a woman, they both turn at the same time, and just like that Ashley begins to chat to her, quickly taking stock of her goods.
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