𝐂𝐀𝐍 𝐈 𝐋𝐄𝐓 𝐘𝐎𝐔?

Chapter Twelve

Turning towards Ashley, I softened at the sound of her sleepy voice calling my name. "Just getting ready to head out." I cleared my throat standing up from the bed.

I watched as Ashley yawned and stretched, sitting up from the bed making sure to cover herself with the comforter. "Oh, where are you going?" She asked wiping the sleepiness out of her eyes.

"I have to make some business moves right quick. What's your plans for today?"

As I spoke those words to Ashley, I could sense her reluctance for me to leave. So I guided her away from that conversation.

As I laced up my white Air Forces, I casually asked Ashley about her plans for the day, curious to know what she had going on.

"Well, I didn't have any." She shrugs hers shoulders. "I thought we could've spend the day with each other... but I can tell you have important things to do."

Watching Ashley deftly gather her curly hair into a messy bun, I couldn't help but admire her poise and grace. She was indeed a remarkable woman, someone who seemed to have a firm grasp on life's priorities.

As I reflected on whatever this is, I realized that despite the connection we shared, there were still uncertainties lingering between us. I pondered what I truly wanted from her and what she might expect from me in return. It was a moment of introspection.

Noticing the similarities between Ashley and Mariah, I couldn't help but acknowledge the familiar qualities that drew me to both women. Perhaps it was those shared traits that initially caught my attention and sparked my interest in getting to know Ashley better.

My head was all over the place, I didn't want to hurt her feelings. I don't want things between us getting too deep.

Standing up from the bed and donning my Carhartt camo hoodie, I turned to Ashley with a sense of determination. "I say we could make something shake," I began, meeting her gaze with sincerity. "But you gotta let me know when you want to do something. So I could make some time for you. Feel me?"

"Okay," She said as a smile formed on her face. "I would like that. I also enjoyed last night."

When she said she enjoyed last night, my thoughts went back to our events that took place last night again.

"Well I hope you did." She rolled her eyes making me chuckle at her antics. "Could you walk me out?"

She nodded getting up from the bed while the covers were still wrapped around her leasing the way through her house to the front door.

As we stopped in front of the front door I turned around admiring her.

"What?" She looks at me for a while before blushing. "Stop staring at me like that!"

"How am I staring at you like?"

"I don't know, it's like... a serious look," She finally looks up at me.

As Ashley glanced down at her feet, her shy demeanor hinted at a deeper complexity. It wasn't just her actions that caught my attention; it was the uncanny resemblance she bore to Mariah. From the way she tilted her head to the subtle gestures in her speech, Ashley mirrored Mariah in a way that seemed almost intentional. Lost in contemplation, I found myself staring, trying to decipher the connection between the two.