16. Ashton #2
I take a couple steps backward. Forgetting about the step, my ankle gives way. The dog crate plops to the ground, and my butt slams onto the concrete.
Luke leaps from the doorway and scrambles to my side. “Are you okay?”
I seethe through my teeth, the tears I’ve held at bay leaking. “Yeah, forgot about the step there.” I chuckle, but it’s a horrible attempt at levity.
Luke gently wraps his arm around my waist. “Think you can walk?”
“I don’t know. Maybe?”
“Here, let me help you up.” His solid frame easily lifts me from underneath my arms.
I place weight on my ankle, and fire ignites through my lower leg. “Ow. Ow. Ow.”
Luke supports my weight and wraps my arm around his shoulder. “Let’s get you inside.”
So much for a smooth escape.
“I can’t leave the dogs.”
“Yeah, of course. I’ll come back and get them.”
“Teddy, come.”
His paws click against the polished tile, dragging his leash behind him. I hop on one foot to Griffin’s couch. Luke sits me down gently.
“I’ll be right back.” He scrambles to the front door and retrieves the dog carrier, placing it by my feet. “What else can I get you?”
I swipe my leaky nose. “I’m fine, really. I don’t want to be a bother.”
Luke tilts his head, squinting as though trying to solve a puzzle. “You’re not a bother. You’re hurt. Let me grab an ice pack.”
“That’s not nec?—”
He holds up a finger to stop me. “No arguments. Here, put your feet on the couch. Let’s get that ankle elevated.”
Gently, he helps me arrange my feet on a throw pillow. “Thank you.”
Luke walks the twenty feet into the kitchen, rummages through the freezer, and returns with a clothed ice wrap. He holds it aloft. “Griffin has a huge stash of these. I think he wraps his entire body in these things on his training days.”
Despite myself, I laugh.
Luke wraps the ice pack around my ankle. “How’s that feel?”
I grit my teeth. “Nice.”
He nods. “Good. I’ll let Griffin know you’re here.”
He disappears down the hallway to the left, where the spare bedroom and adjoining bathroom are, except he walks further down the hall toward an office or another bedroom. Luke knocks on a door before opening it. His voice is muffled. I can’t discern what he’s saying.
Another knock sounds, this time at the front door.
I gulp, wishing I could melt into the couch and disappear. I don’t want anyone seeing me like this—broken and pleading for someone else’s help. I close my eyes and inhale a deep breath, praying it’s just a package delivery.
Luke reappears and whips open the front door. “Oh. Hey, Scarlet.” His tone is stiff and awkward.
Join the club.
Wait. Did he say Scarlet?
As in Scarlet Rhodes—actress and Griffin’s girlfriend?
Oh, this is bad. This is really bad.
What will she think of some strange woman at her boyfriend’s house?
I debate between slumping into the couch, hiding behind throw cushions, or sitting up straighter like I belong here. I opt for leaning against the couch arm like I’m casually hanging out with friends.
Yeah. Totally pulling it off, too. Me, my elevated fat ankle, and my slew of dogs.
Heels clip on the entry tile. “Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize Griffin had a guest.”
“Yeah, uh—" Before Luke can finish, she comes around the couch to face me.
She’s more stunning in person than she is on TV. Of course she is. Wearing a casual floral top tucked into jeans, complemented with kitten heels—she makes the whole ensemble look like she’s ready for a catalog shoot. Perfectly put together. Everything I’m not. Especially at this very moment.
“Hi, I’m Scarlet.”
“Hi, I’m—” I attempt to scoot to the end of the couch—to what? Get up? Not the best idea.
She holds out a hand. “Oh, no. Don’t get up.” She takes in the dogs surrounding me, and her face lights up with a smile. “You must be the dog trainer. Right?”
I nod. “Yup. That’s me. Ashton. These are my dogs…well, Teddy is, and the other two are my fosters.”
“Awww,” she gushes and kneels to get a better look inside the dog crate. “Can I see them?”
I look at Luke, in panic. Griffin gave me permission to bring them, but I’m not sure he’d like them overrunning his house. I know firsthand their kind of destruction.
Luke shrugs.
Okay. No help there.
“What if I take one out for you? They’re best admired individually.” I chuckle nervously, also praying they don’t accidentally pee on her in their excitement to escape their crate.
She claps and squeals, sitting cross-legged on the floor. “Here, let me help you.” She opens the latch on the crate and pulls out one of the dogs. “Aww, she’s so cute! What’s her name?”
“This is Cocoa, and her brother is Chip.” I shrug, suddenly self-conscious in front of this stunning actress. “I named them after my favorite ice cream. I guess I had a weak moment. What can I say?” I laugh.
Scarlet smiles. “That’s adorable! I love it. My dad and I are huge dog lovers. In fact, I came over to invite Griffin to?—”
Before she finishes, Griffin breezes into the room, aiming right for me. His eyes land on my elevated ankle. “What happened?”
It takes two seconds before Griffin realizes he has another guest. And that two-second delay is all it takes for Scarlet’s excited posture to slump slightly and her eyes to dim.
“Scarlet? What are you doing here?”
His tone isn’t harsh, but it doesn’t matter. The words are enough to make anyone feel unwelcome.
He clears his throat as if realizing his blunder. “I mean, sorry, I didn’t know you were coming over.” He looks at his phone screen. “Did you text me? I was on the phone for a while. I must have missed it.”
Scarlet straightens and inhales a good whiff of Cocoa.
I appreciate that she, too, relishes yummy puppy-scented goodness. It does have wondrous therapeutic benefits.
“I texted telling you I was stopping by with an announcement. Actually, I was just about to tell your friend here all about it. Ashton, right?”
I nod, trying not to read into the emphasis she puts on friend. That is my role here, after all—trainer, if we’re to be more precise.
“My dad is having a party.” She lifts the puppy to her cheek.
“A dog birthday party, actually. You know, us and animals. Anyway, it’s Ranger’s first birthday, so we’d be remiss if we didn’t celebrate.
” She puts Cocoa’s nose to hers. “Isn’t that right, Cocoa?
” She kisses her head and places her on her lap.
“He’s invited a bunch of people in the film industry.
I thought it’d be great for you—us—to be there… together.”
She stumbles over her words, making even me feel uncomfortable. Her vulnerability is written all over her face. She really wants him to come, but she isn’t sure he will.
Why?
They’re together, right?
Up until this point, Luke had stood behind the couch, a casual observer. “Would anyone like something to drink? Water? Alcohol? A snack, maybe?”
“I’m good, man,” Griffin replies, still looking at Scarlet.
“No thanks, Luke.” Scarlet opens the crate and returns Cocoa inside.
Luke looks at me.
“No. Thank you.” I ease toward the edge of the couch. “I think I should be going anyway.”
“No.” Both Luke and Griffin hold out their hands to stop me.
I slump back into the cushions. “Okay then.”
“Give me a second to talk to Scarlet, and then I’ll take a look at your ankle and see if we need to take you to the doctor.”
“Oh, that’s not?—”
Griffin cuts me off. “It is.” His eyes broker no argument. “Five minutes. Don’t. Move.” He takes Scarlet’s hand and helps her off the floor. “Let’s go talk on the patio. Besides, it’s been a while since Roxy’s been out.”
In all the drama, I’ve completely forgotten Roxy. She’s peacefully resting in her dog bed in the corner of the room. She lifts her head and watches Griffin’s movements.
“Roxy, come.” Griffin opens the patio door, and Roxy stands, stretches for a moment, then follows.
Griffin quietly slides the door shut behind Scarlet, ushering her with a hand low on her back. They look absolutely perfect together.
And for the first time in years, I find myself wishing I was the girl under a man’s arm.