Arranged •{ONC 2020}•

《 Chapter Twelve 》

Her heels clicked as she walked away, and Wesley watched her until she disappeared behind the elevator doors. Truth be told, he didn't want her to go to the club, for multiple reasons. For starters, he had seen firsthand what a mess she became when she was drunk, and he didn't want her oversleeping from a hangover. Frankly, he didn't like it when she had hangovers in the first place; she got a vacant look in her eye that was all too familiar. Secondly, he knew for a fact that the Dylan guy frequented the place. He liked to think Ashlynn wouldn't get caught up in anything, but he had seen the look in that guy's eye the first time they met. Wesley saw right through his act, and he didn't like what he saw on the other side of the mask.

But he knew better than to intervene. Ashlynn had made it clear that what happened last week, as fun as it had been, was an act for the family. And while they had started to make amends, they were far from being friends. No, they still had a long way to go.

Wesley looked down at the golden band on his finger and wondered if she still wore hers to the club.

Outside, Ashlynn climbed into the back of the first cab she found and gave the driver directions to the club. She decided against going home to change clothes, knowing full well that it would earn her an earful from Aunt Leah.

Her breath fogged up the window as they wound their way through the busy streets. She traced a smiley face on the glass and watched droplets collect at the base of the eyes. The droplets got too big and trickled down like tears.

"We're here, ma'am."

Ashlynn handed a twenty-dollar bill to the cabby and climbed out. Pulling the bobby pins from her bun, she made her way past the bouncers, who greeted her with friendly smiles.

It was barely seven o'clock, yet the club was already roaring with life—and on a Monday, no less. The dance floor and bar weren't as packed as usual, but the fog machines and flashing lights made up for the lack in spades. A message from Hana said they would be there in a few minutes, so Ashlynn made herself comfortable at the bar.

"The usual?"

"Not yet, Jase," she smiled at the bartender. "Just a water with ice for now, thanks." While he got her water, Ashlynn looked around the club, counting the number of people in office attire like her. At least three-fourths of the men were wearing business suits, and a few women wore pencil skirts with blazers. She thanked Jase and sipped her water, turning back to face the bar.

"Haven't seen you in a while. Everything alright?" Jase flipped his towel over his shoulder and leaned against the bar.

Ashlynn shrugged. "Same as always."

"How's the marriage?" At her arched brow, he continued, "I saw it in the paper. I didn't know you had a fiancé."

"I didn't."

"Ah," he smirked. "Did your fox of an aunt set this up?"

"Something like that." She sighed into her cup and crunched an ice cube. "I've got four more months before I can end it."

"He must really be something if your great aunt set you up with him instead of that guy you were always meeting here..." Jase trailed off, his suggestion crystal clear.

"I—"

"Ash!" Hana tackled her with a hug, nearly knocking her off the stool. "Ugh, I missed you sooo much! It feels like it's been years!"

"It's barely been a week," Ashlynn replied, untangling herself from her friend. "Hey, Cass."

"Hey, Ash. I hope you don't mind, but I brought Dylan with us. He wouldn't shut up about how mu—"

"Can it, Cass," Dylan grumbled and mussed up his sister's hair. Grinning at Ashlynn, he added, "Long time no see."

"Yeah..." Her gaze turned towards Jase, who was looking at her intently. "What have you three been up to?"

Asking that question was a mistake—one that she should have seen coming. Hana spent the next hour talking about how messy her Thanksgiving weekend had been as she bounced between shopping and dinner with her boyfriends. Ashlynn and Cassidy told her she wouldn't have that problem if she only dated one guy, but she threw out her usual "You've got to cast a lot of lines to catch a lot of fish," argument and they left it at that.

After Ashlynn's second shot of tequila, she found herself alone at the bar with Dylan. Cassidy and Hana had gone to the dance floor to dance—well, Cassidy was dancing, and Hana was flirting. Feeling Jase's watchful gaze on her, Ashlynn held her tongue and waited for Dylan to talk first.

"So," he started, after a few excruciating minutes of silence, "how's it going with...what's his name?"

"Wesley," she supplied.

"Yes! Wesley. How's that going?"

Again, Ashlynn shrugged. "It could be worse. We talked and tried to fix some things up before my family came. It was a bit torturous, but I think we got my family fooled. Now we have to do it all over again in a few weeks."

"Has he been treating you alright?"

"He's a perfect gentleman, for the most part, which is incredibly annoying. Everyone thinks he's some sort of angel, despite the fact that he drinks an ungodly amount of coffee and curses at the copying machine." She chuckled into her glass before downing another shot.

"But what do you think of him?" Dylan leaned closer. His shoulder brushed hers gently and his knee bumped against her leg.

"I hate him. Well, at least I did. I don't really know anymore." She crossed her legs so that his knee was no longer touching her. It had been distracting. "I guess I'm indifferent?"

"I see." His eyes dropped to her hands, where her fingers were twisting the bands on her ring finger. "You weren't wearing those before."

"Oh," she mumbled and spread her fingers, admiring the way the diamond caught the light. "I have to wear it to work, to keep up the act, but it also gives me something to do when I'm bored."

Dylan hummed; in acknowledgement or disapproval, she couldn't tell. Inhaling deeply, he posed the question he'd been saving for weeks: "What do you think of me?"

The shock must have shown on her face because he flinched slightly. "Oh, um, well, I think you're great. You're fun to talk with, and you're really sweet..."

"That's not what I meant, Ashlynn." He watched her cheeks redden, and smiled, his confidence growing. He continued, "I really like you. Yeah, I know, you're married. But in four months you'll be free of that guy. When that time comes, I hope you'll give me a chance."

Ashlynn stared at him, completely dumbfounded.

Dylan learned closer, wondering if she hadn't heard him over the loud music. "Ashlynn, I like you, and I want to go out with you. What do you say?"

What the samoas am I supposed to say to that?