Chapter 31
Get 10)
Hearing the call, I tossed my phone aside and called back, “Coming!”
With that, I kicked off my shoes and shuffled to the door in my slippers. The moment I opened it, I spotted Ashton filling water buckets in the courtyard,
Menu
Several white buckets were lined up in a row. As he filled each one, he lifted them effortlessly, his muscles clearly visible even through his shirt. Every movement radiated pure strength and power.
“Why are you filling so many buckets? Are we getting a water outage?” I asked, walking over.
Chloe shot me a disapproving look, silently scolding me about my casual slippers. Ashton didn’t answer, but Chloe jumped in, “Just being prepared,
in case.”
She patted Ashton and said, “I’m making chicken soup tonight. You two should go get some free–range chickens for me. And grab some cilantro and green onions while you’re at it.” This was obviously a set–up to get us talking. Looking at my oversized slippers, I realized they weren’t exactly appropriate. But going back to change now would just make everything more awkward.
“Go change your shoes,” Ashton said matter–of–factly.
I laughed it off. “It’s fine, really.”
Ashton didn’t say anything else and started walking toward the gate.
Chloe winked at me, urging me to follow, before calling out, “Ashton, wait up for Elaine!”
I shuffled along in my slippers. They were comfortable, sure, but definitely not right for the occasion.
We hadn’t gone far when Ashton suddenly stopped and asked point–blank, “I heard you want to date me?”
#3 09:32
10.69%
<Chapter 31
His directness left me speechless,
Did Chloe really phrase it that way? This guy sure didn’t beat around the
bush.
“What’s wrong? Having second thoughts?” I looked up at him, taking the opportunity to really study his face for the first time. His features were sharp and defined, with deep–set eyes and strong brows. His lips were perfectly proportioned – not too thin, not too thick,
He was actually more handsome than Logan, with a slightly darker complexion too.
People always say not to judge a book by its cover. But let’s be real–who doesn’t check out someone’s face when they first meet? It’s not like we can strip them down to inspect their body, right?
“I’m 31. Served eight years in the military. Now, I’m…” Ashton had started to introduce himself when someone cut him off.
“Ashton!” A kid, maybe seventeen or eighteen, called out. He even whistled and gave me a couple of obvious once–overs.
“Is that your taxi?” I asked after the boy walked away.
“Friend’s,” he replied, implying he worked with someone who owned the cab.
“Do you have a thing for widows?” I asked bluntly.
Ashton’s expression darkened. “No.”
“Think you might develop one in the future?” Asking this made me realize I’d developed some serious trauma. I was actually pretty sensitive and fragile, though nobody ever seemed to notice.
“No,” he answered simply.
I smiled. “I’m 24. Just got out of what was almost a marriage. My parents are gone, and I’m not looking to date anyone anytime soon.”
I wanted to make my position clear. Chloe’s suggestion about trying things,
# 09:32
10 65%
<Chapter 31
Get 10)
Menu
with Ashton was just a spur–of–the–moment thing. I had zero plans to start dating again, especially not through some arranged setup with a stranger.
Ashton looked down at me without saying a word.
Thinking he understood, I started to turn around.
“Then, how about marriage?” His words stopped me in my tracks, and I stared at him in surprise.
Ashton stood up straight, his eyes meeting mine as he repeated, “Getting married and registering for marriage…”
