ASHLEY'S POV
I felt his gaze on me, intense and unyielding. His eyes seemed to hold a deep longing as if searching for something within mine.
I was captivated.
Where was Trent?" I wondered, growing restless. His delay was unsettling. My gaze drifted to Xavier, who was engrossed in his phone. As he licked his lips, my heart skipped a beat. My desire for him flared, making me uncomfortably aware of his allure.
"Trent, where are you?" I whispered under my breath, seeking reassurance.
Xavier's eyes lifted, meeting mine. His gaze held a knowing glint as if sensing my turmoil. I quickly looked away, my cheeks warming.
Why was Trent taking so long? His absence only intensified the unwanted attraction between Xavier and me. I needed Trent's return to restore balance and distract me from the tantalizing connection I felt toward Xavier.
His presence was overwhelming, making my pulse race. "Too hot to handle" barely described the captivating man sitting across from me.
As if the universe had heard my plea, the door creaked open, and Trent walked in. I swiftly rose to my feet, eager to escape. One more minute, and I might have succumbed to the irresistible urge to kiss the Greek god sitting across from me.
Trent's timely arrival was my salvation, breaking the spell that had held me captive. I grabbed my bag, ready to make a hasty exit.
"Hey, sorry I'm late," Trent said, his apologetic smile easing my tension.
I forced a smile, trying to shake off the lingering attraction. "No worries, let's go."
"Whoa, why the rush? Calm down, babe," Trent said, chuckling, as he wrapped his arm around my shoulders. "Did Xavier bite you?" he teased, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
I rolled my eyes, attempting to play it cool. "Of course not."
But inwardly, I confessed a contradictory desire: I wished Xavier had. The thought sent a shiver down my spine.
Trent's jesting words echoed in my mind, stirring a forbidden longing. Xavier's captivating presence still lingered.
"What took you so long, mate?" Xavier asked, suddenly adopting a playful British accent, his voice transformed into a charming mock-Cockney tone.
Trent chuckled. "Traffic, sorry."
Xavier dropped the accent, grinning mischievously. "Traffic, huh? Better be worth it."
I laughed at Xavier's accent flip, surprised by his playful side.
"I thought you said you went to get some stuff?" I asked, noticing Trent's empty hands.
Trent scratched the back of his hand, a habitual gesture that usually signaled he was hesitant or nervous about something. I knew that telltale sign all too well.
"Ran into an old friend, got caught up chatting," he repeated, his eyes darting away.
My instincts screamed that something wasn't right. Trent spent most of his time outdoors, but this excuse seemed off. The scratching, the evasive gaze... it all pointed to deception.
Yet, I pushed aside my doubts and nodded. "Okay."
The unease lingered, my mind racing with possibilities. What had he been doing? Why the lie?
Trent spoke up, breaking the silence. "Hey, Mom's birthday is coming up soon, right?"
Xavier's expression turned thoughtful. "Yeah, next weekend."
Trent nodded enthusiastically. "We should throw her a surprise party! She'd love that."
Xavier's eyes lit up. "That's a great idea. I was thinking of getting her something special."
Trent grinned. "I've got the perfect gift in mind. Let's plan something amazing."
Trent turned to me and said, "Hey, can you help us out with the birthday decorations? Your mom was an interior designer and event planner, right? So I know you've got some skills." His comically earnest appeal, accompanied by an endearing puppy-like gaze, elicited a chuckle from me. But, of course, I was more than willing to lend a hand - after all, Mrs. Wallace seemed like a lovely woman.
"I know how to bake a cake," Xavier declared, triggering an eruption of laughter from both him and Trent. My gaze was lost on Xavier, mesmerized by his infectious laughter -Xavier's laughter was a work of art, a masterful blend of snorts, chuckles, and guffaws that conveyed his unbridled enthusiasm, his eyes shining with mirth as his smile stretched from ear to ear.
I couldn't help but smile as I watched him laugh; it instantly gave me butterflies. But the moment he stopped laughing, our eyes locked, and I felt a sudden jolt of shyness, quickly averting my gaze.
"Ash, I have a story for you," Trent said, now chuckling.
"Stop it, dude," Xavier pleaded, a shy smile spreading across his face, his eyes darting toward me with a hint of embarrassment.
Trent continued, his grin mischievous. "Xavier here thought he was a master baker."
"...his last attempt at baking resulted in," Trent paused for dramatic effect, "a charred kitchen and a cake that resembled a fossilized rock!"
Xavier's face turned beet-red as he shook his head, laughing. "Trent, that was eighth grade."
Trent continued, unstoppable. "When Xavier was in middle school, he attempted to bake a cake for his girlfriend—I can still remember her name, Emily."
Xavier chimed in, his voice laced with amusement. "Yeah, and I added a special ingredient—smoke. Burning the kitchen was an unexpected bonus."
I couldn't help but giggle at the mental image.
Trent chuckled. "My parents came back to meet Xavier, and he was all black—face, clothes, everything. They burst into laughter, and I joined in." Xavier grinned. "Dad thought it was hilarious. Mom, not so much."
The memory seemed to hang in the air, filling us with warmth and shared amusement.
As I pictured little Xavier, covered in flour and soot, his bright eyes shining with determination, I couldn't help but smile hard. The image was too adorable.
Trent chuckled, noticing my amusement. "Yeah, he was quite the sight."
Xavier shook his head, laughing. "Hey, I was just trying to impress Emily."
"You made an impression," Trent teased.
I glanced at Xavier, and our eyes met. For a moment, I saw that little boy, full of enthusiasm and good intentions. My heart swelled with warmth.
"I've got the cake situation under control," I assured them. "Xavier, you don't have to worry about reliving your infamous baking disaster from eighth grade."
Trent's words snapped me back to reality. "Xavier, that's perfect! You and Ash can team up to make Mom's birthday cake."
As Trent suggested my heart began to race with anticipation. The thought of being alone with him in the kitchen, surrounded by the warmth and intimacy of baking, sent shivers down my spine. It wasn't just the prospect of Xavier mastering a new skill that thrilled me - it was the possibility of us working together, side by side, our hands touching as we measured out ingredients and mixed batter. The air seemed to vibrate with tension as I imagined the two of us moving in perfect sync OH. SHIT. Was I ready for this?
My eyes met Xavier's, and for a moment, we just stared at each other. The air was charged with tension.
"Uh, sounds good," Xavier said finally, his voice low and husky.
I nodded, trying to play it cool. "Yeah, no problem."
My phone chimed, breaking the moment. I glanced at the screen to see a message from Dad: "Please, Ash, I need you home."
"We have to go, something's come up."
Trent's concerned gaze met mine. "Are you sure you're okay, babe?" he asked, noticing my frown.
"I'm fine," I lied, not wanting to reveal it was my dad. "Ella needs my help."
Trent's eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn't press. "Okay," he said, rising from his seat and checking his pockets for his keys.
"Let's go," he said gently, his hand brushing against mine in a reassuring touch.
"Everything alright?" Xavier asked.
I forced a smile. "Yeah, just girls stuff."