by Alison Mello
“Typical guy response.” I rolled my eyes.
“Okay fine, then what would you choose?”
“I’d choose a dolphin.”
“That’s such a woman response.” He threw my words back at me.
“Okay, fine! It is, but dolphins are the kindest sea animals and are very smart.”
“Sharks eat dolphins,” Ashton pointed out.
“No, they don’t. Dolphins don’t get eaten!”
I turned and stared at him before starting to laugh. Two twenty-somethings arguing over stupid sea creatures, and one of them a famous CEO at that. Ashton just looked down at me like I was crazy.
“W-we are arguing like six-year-olds,” I choked out, trying to suppress my laughter. Looking up at Ashton’s confused face, I let my laughter burst free, echoing off the walls and down the hallway. “We are so w-weird!”
“I am not weird; that is you,” Ashton said as I continued laughing for no real reason. My laughter slowly started to die down, and Ashton stood waiting for me to stop with a raised eyebrow.
“Sorry, that was just too funny,” I finally said, calming down.
“You sure are a weird one,” was all Ashton said as he walked ahead. I just smirked at his back. Being called weird was nothing compared to what I’ve been called before. I honestly didn’t mind being called weird.
I quickly caught up with Ashton, and we walked all around the aquarium making small talk. About twenty minutes later, I pulled Ashton to a stop in front of an open water tank. Inside swam little stingrays, starfish lay at the bottom and along the sides, and even little sharks were swimming around. A young-looking guy maybe my age or younger walked our way.
“Hello. This is our touching exhibit. You can reach in and touch any of the animals if you’d like.”
“Is that safe? Won’t the stingrays sting me or the shark bite me?” I asked, looking at his name tag, Terry. He shot me a pretty smile.
“No, it’s perfectly safe. Come here.” He gestured for me to come closer to the tank. Hesitantly, I walked over to his side. “Just reach your hand like this and they will just swim by.” He laid his hand into the water only a few inches in. A second later, a stingray swam under his hand and his fingers grazed its back.
He looked back up at me smiling. Biting my bottom lip, I got closer, pulled my sleeve up, and slowly put my hand into the water just like Terry did. I saw a small shark making its way toward me and almost pulled my hand away when I felt a hand on my arm. I looked up and saw Ashton standing very close to me with his chest pressing into me back. He nodded at me encouragingly as the shark got closer. Smiling at him, I waited as the shark passed under my hand and I felt his slick skin. My grin got wider as I turned and looked up at Ashton.
“Did you see that?” I asked excitedly, not caring that I sounded like a five-year-old. I watched as a smile spread across Ashton’s face. I grabbed his hand, wanting him to feel it too. His hand stopped me and I thought he would tell me to stop, but I was surprised to watch him shrug off his suit jacket and roll up his shirt sleeve. He grabbed my wet hand in his and dunked both of our hands under the water. I looked up at him, amazed that a guy like him was spending his day with someone like me. Here was a handsome, smart, and slightly famous, and I was just an average woman with no good looks, and a messed-up past, even though he didn’t know that. I felt his hand nudge mine underwater, and I turned back to the tank. Coming toward us was both a stingray and a shark. Feeling their almost slimy skin, I couldn’t help but smile.
I looked to my left and saw a starfish stuck to the side of the wall. I moved away from Ashton and toward the starfish. Reaching my hand in, I felt the rough skin and watched as it moved slightly. I’ve always liked starfish and here I was, touching one. I felt eyes on my back, so I turned and saw Ashton staring at me with a weird look on his face. Shooting him a smile, I pulled my hand from under the water and made my way back to him. Terry brought us a few paper towels to dry our hands and arms. Thanking him, I dried my arm and hand before sliding my sleeve back down. Turning to Ashton, I saw he was waiting patiently for me. We silently made our way to the front of the building, seeing everything there.
When we got to the front of the aquarium, I felt Ashton’s big warm hand wrap around mine. Before I could even look up at him, I was being tugged toward the gift shop.
“Ashton, what are you doing?” I asked as he pulled me into the gift shop.
“Pick whatever you want.” He dropped my hand. I couldn’t help but feel cold once his hand left mine. For some reason, I felt like I was missing something the moment his hand disappeared.
“What?”
“Pick something.” He gestured around the shop. He gave me a firm look when I opened my mouth to protest. I started looking around. As I turned around, something caught my eye. I quickly walked over to it and reached for it. It was a dolphin necklace that was a very pretty deep blue color. It wasn’t that large, and it was just simple, but something about it was gorgeous. I softly ran my finger over it. It wasn’t like it was real or fragile, but I couldn’t help but want to be gentle with it.
“You like it?” Ashton said, not really sounding like he was asking a question. All I did was nod. Before I could blink, the necklace was pulled out of my hands and Ashton was pulling his phone out taking a picture of it.
“W-What are you doing?” I asked, watching him.
“I’m going to send a picture of this to a jewelry store and they can make a better one,” he said simply. As soon as he finished his sentence, I ripped the necklace from his hand.
“No!”
“Why? I can get you a better version that isn’t cheap.”
“That doesn’t matter.” He looked at me weird so I continued. “Even though it is cheap, it has better meaning than a replica. It doesn’t matter about the price. When I’ll look at this, I’ll remember everything that happened today and not that you got it made so it wouldn’t be ‘so cheap. I want this one,” I said firmly.
Ashton stared at me almost in amazement, but I shrugged that off. I was not going to let him spend a lot of money on a necklace so it could be better than this one. The whole reason everyone got something at the stupid gift shop was to remember everything that happened and the things they’d done while at that place. Everyone knew it was cheap shit and that it would turn green, as well as your skin, but that didn’t matter. I stared him down, holding the necklace against me. Finally, he nodded and reached for the necklace. Letting him take it, I followed him to the cashier. The lady rang it up and it came to fifteen dollars. Kind of expensive for a necklace, but it was New York after all. She handed it to me and gave me a smile.
“Here you go, sweetie. You’re lucky to have a man like him,” she said, looking at Ashton. I could feel my cheeks heating up, and avoided Ashton’s gaze on me.
“She is lucky to have me.” He smirked at me. I just rolled my eyes and thanked the lady before leaving the gift shop. I heard Ashton’s footsteps behind me. I pushed open the doors and the chilly air hit me in the face. “Thank you,” Ashton said in a high-pitched voice. He responded to himself with “You’re welcome” in his regular voice. I couldn’t help but laugh softly at him.
“Thank you for the necklace,” I said as his limo came to a stop in front of us. “I love it.”
“You’re welcome.” He opened the car door for me. Nodding in thanks, I slid inside and a minute later, Ashton was next to me. As the car started forward, my thoughts went back to everything that happened today. I went on a date with a hot billionaire today. Me! Ordinary, boring, weird, ugly me! I couldn’t wait to freak out when I got home later. I could honestly say today was one of the best days I’d ever had. The car ride back to my house was quiet but not uncomfortable. I could feel the warmth radiating off Ashton’s body next to me. I could smell his cologne. I couldn’t tell you what he smelled like, but whatever it was smelled amazing. I could literally smell him all day long.
Before I knew it, the limo came to a stop in front of my apa
rtment. I was surprised that we got here so quick. Ashton was already outside waiting for me by the time I had said goodbye and thank you to Clark. Stepping out of the car, I turned to Ashton.
“I’ll walk you up,” he said.
“No, no, that’s okay. I don’t want you to leave your car running,” I started to say but was cut off by one of his fingers pressed against my lips.
“I’m walking you up,” he said sternly. I nodded against his finger and let him pull me into my building. We silently rode the elevator to the fifth level and got out. We came to a stop in front of my door, and I didn’t know if I should kiss him or just say thank you and bye. Before I could decide, I saw him move down and felt his warm lips press against mine. This was our second kiss and I had to say it was toe-curling. His lips were firm and soft against mine as he softly moved them. I kissed him back but before it could go any further, he pulled back. I knew my face was flushed and my lips were slightly swollen.
“T-thank you for today,” I breathed out as I looked up at him.
“You are welcome. I better go. See you later.” He pressed one last kiss to my lips. He sent me a smirk then walked off. I watched him leave, trying hard to not to stare at his butt. The moment he disappeared out of sight, I put my key in the door and walked in closing it behind me. I leaned against the closed door and stared up at the ceiling. I couldn’t stop the huge grin that spread across my face and a hand from reaching up to touch my kissed lips. I knew that in the future, if Ashton kept doing what he was doing, I knew my heart wouldn’t be the same after.
Chapter 10
Layla
Thankfully, Kacey wasn’t home, so I was able to relax for a little while before being interrogated about my date with Ashton. After leaning against the door, I set my stuff down and plopped down on my couch. Everything that happened over our “date” ran through my mind, putting a smile on my face. I sat there in my clothes just staring at the blank TV, trying not to reach for my phone and see if Ashton has already texted me. Stupid, I know, but I couldn’t seem to get rid of Ashton. Before I could check my phone again, Kacey burst through the door.
“Tell me everything!” she demanded after she set her purse down on the table by the door and jumped on the couch next to me. Sighing, I dove into the storytelling Kacey everything from the moment we left to the kiss when he dropped me back off. Kacey sat there in silence just staring at me.
“Whoa,” was all she said as she absorbed everything I had told her. “Sounds like a pretty awesome date. Who would have known that Ashton Miller would spend the day with you at an aquarium?”
“Geez, thanks for that,” I said, playing with my new necklace.
“You’re welcome. Anyways, did you guys say when you’re going out again?”
“No, he didn’t say anything. He just said, ‘I’ll see you later’ and that was it.” I tried hard not to sound too sad about that.
“Don’t worry, he will ask you out again. He has to.” She got up. “What do you want for dinner?” I glanced at the clock above the TV and saw it was six already. Wow, I was out with Ashton all day.
“I don’t care. Want to make something or order out?” I asked, getting up and stretching.
“Order out. Chinese sound good to you?” Kacey yelled from in the kitchen.
“Yeah, sounds good. Want me to order it?” Hearing a vague yes, I grabbed my phone and dialed the Chinese restaurant from down the street. Kacey and I have ordered take-out from there so many times I have the number memorized by now. Shung Ho had the best Pad Thai and orange chicken ever. After I ordered our usual, I went to my bedroom to change into my comfy sweats and a big t-shirt.
I was the kind of girl who, immediately after getting home, would change into PJs or sweats. I don’t see how people can just sit around in their regular clothes all day. I don’t find it comfortable but of course, that’s just me. After I changed and went to wash my face, I heard the doorbell ring. That was fast but with the place being practically next door, it doesn’t take long, and the Chinese family that owns the restaurant knows Kacey and me. Before I could leave my room and go pay, Kacey was already there thanking the guy while handing him the money. After she shut the door, I walked out and toward her.
“Kacey, I was going to pay tonight,” I said.
“No, it’s fine, Lay. I got it.” Knowing she won’t budge, I just rolled my eyes and walked over to the couch pulling my hair up in the process. Kacey spread the containers on our coffee table and went to grab forks and napkins. I opened the four containers and almost started drooling. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until seeing Pad Thai, orange chicken, teriyaki chicken, and fried rice. As soon as Kacey came back with forks and napkins, I grabbed the remote and turned on the TV. Turning it to our favorite show, Friends, we dug into our food.
We ate in silence as watched. After eating all the food in under thirty minutes, we started cleaning up.
“So…are you going to text him?” Kacey asked suddenly as we finished cleaning up.
“I don’t know. Maybe tomorrow,” I said, wiping my hands.
“Why tomorrow? Text him now.”
“No, I don’t want to seem too eager.”
Silence wrapped around us. I turned to Kacey to see why she was silent and just as I turned, I saw her lunge for my phone that was sitting on the couch. Just as quick as she went for it, I was behind her.
“Kay, no, don’t!” I yelled, falling onto the couch a little bit away from Kacey.
“No, you need to talk to him!” she yelled back at me, reaching for my phone that was just in front of her.
“No, I don’t!” I reached for her and grabbed her ankle, trying to stop her. As I pulled her back, her arm reached out and snatched my phone. “Kay, don’t you dare!”
“It’s for your own good!” I gripped her leg tighter, pulling her toward me. Just as I thought, I stopped her from texting Ashton by pulling her right to me but then I heard her yell “‘Yes! It’s done!’” I let her leg go and stared at her.
“You did not just text him!”
“Yes, I did. And you are welcome.” She stood up and dropped my phone by me as she walked off.
“Kacey!” I yelled after her, but she didn’t answer or turn around. Great, just great. I stared down at my phone waiting for Ashton’s text to come through. I finally stood up. Wait, why am I waiting for his reply? Get a grip, Layla, you don’t have to wait around for him. Get up and do something and leave your phone alone. Nodding to myself, I left my phone on the couch and headed to find Kacey. Finding her in the kitchen leaning against the counter on her phone, I sighed and walked over to her. She looked up from her phone and sent me a sheepish smile.
“You’re not really mad at me, are you?” she asked, giving me her puppy dog eyes.
“No, I’m not,” I said, shaking my head and leaning beside her against the counter.
“Okay, good. I did it for you because I know you would never do it. I don’t know how much I could have taken you checking your phone every five seconds.”
“I wasn’t checking it every five seconds!” I defended myself even though I knew she was right. Ever since I got home I’d been checking my phone to see if Ashton had texted me, or if I had missed a call or text.
“Yes, you were. Lay, I just want you to be happy. You’ve never been happy. Or, at least not since you moved away from your parents.” She’s right. The moment I was free from my parents was a day I will never forget. It was the day Kacey and I left for NYU and I never looked back. For most families going off to college is a sad, depressing thing, but for me, I couldn’t be happier leaving and not ever coming back.
“I know, Kacey, but I don’t want to start to think he likes me when he doesn’t or even won’t. I’m not going to let my heart get broken by some hot millionaire bachelor.”
“I see what you mean and I won’t let him hurt you, or I will hurt where the sun don’t shine. But see where it goes before writing it off because you never know where it will lead.” I nodde
d knowing that she was right.
“When did you get so smart?” I asked her. “I used to be the smart one,” I said jokingly.
“Whatever, I’ve always been smarter than you.” She rolled her eyes at me.
“Nuh uh, I’ve always been the smarty pants here.”
“Says the girl who just said ‘smarty pants.’”
“Yeah, I’ll have you know that word is in the dictionary.”
“And how do you know that? You just sit in your room and read the dictionary for fun?”
I narrowed my eyes at her. “You’re lucky you’re my best friend and that I’m tired from tackling you on the couch.” Kacey opened her mouth to reply, but the ringing of my phone interrupted her. We both looked at each other wide-eyed. A second later, we both shot toward the living room. I wanted to get there before Kacey because, knowing her, she would answer and tell him something I didn’t want her to. Kacey was ahead of me, so I did the only thing that came to my mind: I pushed her…hard. As Kay flopped down onto the other side of the couch, I jumped to my phone and quickly answered it.
“Hello,” I answered breathlessly not having looked at the caller ID.
“Hello, Layla? Are you okay?” Ashton asked through the phone.
“What? Oh no, I’m fine just doing some…exercising,” I answered, shooting a glare over at Kacey who was glaring right back at me for shoving her on the couch. I heard him chuckle through the phone.
“Anyways, I’m picking you up tomorrow around nine a.m. so be ready.” The way he spoke was like a command. Just as I opened my mouth to say yes, the stupid voice in the back of my head had to remind me I worked tomorrow morning.
“Sorry, I can’t…I have to work at seven,” I said, trying to hide my sadness. For only being with the guy for one day, I was already missing his presence.
“Just quit.”
“Ashton, I just can’t quit. It’s my only job.” I shook my head even though he couldn’t see me.