“I might have failed,” Trace said thickly, “but you didn’t. I’m going to bet you saw that video, but even if you didn’t, you should have realized that you were a fucking rock star. Not only did you deck me- hard I’ll add- you stood up to all those asshats. You took a stand for yourself. You didn’t need me at all. You were far, far better off on your own. The only thanks I can give myself is that I was the catalyst for your awakening and the realization that you can indeed kick ass just fine. You’ve become this huge inspiration to people who are bullied all over the place. In high school, in the work place, everywhere.”
Ash ducked her head. “I doubt that’s true. People don’t look up to me for anything. If I could erase that video, I would.”
“It’s not just one. There are more out there.”
“I’d erase them all if I could.”
Trace’s eyes burned into her. “Ash, you’re amazing. Truly. I knew it from the second you sent me that crazy note online in the middle of the night. You were so well spoken. So- so well written. I wanted to meet the girl behind it. Then I did meet you and ever since the second I walked into the coffee shop and saw you, with two drinks because you’d ordered for me, which was so ridiculously sexy, by the way, I knew it was it for me. I thought I needed to show you how to find yourself. I thought it was my job to show you how sexy you were. No, not my job. My privilege, but all along, you just needed to believe it yourself.”
Ash’s hand gripped the door frame. Her body heated painfully at the reminder at what they’d done. At just how Trace had tried to show her and teach her how to be confident. He’d made her feel beautiful, for the first time in her life. She’d come alive under his hands and it had nothing to do with finding confidence or that stupid reunion. It had everything to do with how much she wanted him, how she craved him, how she felt that connection he was talking about, right from the start.
“I don’t know how or why you stumbled across my profile that night or why you picked me, but I’m so damn happy that you did. I thought I was putting it all together, that maybe we could be something after. I fucked up. Big time.”
The door to the left of her apartment opened and Mrs. McGreggor stepped into the hall. She was eighty and was constantly complaining that everyone in the building was too loud. Her eyes nearly popped out of her wrinkly, adorable, angry little face. “If you’re going to carry on about nonsense, take it inside so the rest of us don’t have to hear your sorry ass apologizing.” Her eyes narrowed. “I’ve seen the video. I know all about what happened. I’m going to bet you’re the sucker she decked. Lordy, you deserved that one. Why on god’s green earth are you standing out there dressed like a pussy in a cape and spandex? Did I miss the memo about them moving Halloween up this year?”
Trace chuckled. His shoulders shook and rolled as his soft rasp turned into an all-out belly laugh. Eventually Ash had to laugh. Mrs. McGreggor shook her head and slammed her door so loud that the whole building probably heard her. It was amazing, how she’d complain about John’s music from down the hall being too loud or how she’d embarrassed Sam and her husband, Ted, for being too loud with their morning marital bliss, but she was somehow totally immune to the way her own TV blared twenty-four hours of the day. How she could even hear some of the things she did was beyond Ash.
Trace cocked a brow. “Now that I’ve made a total fool of myself, twice, will you let me in?”
Ash hedged. “I don’t know. Maybe I should send you packing, Mr. Nightshadow. Although, that’s not your name anymore if you show up dressed like that.” Her gaze flicked over him and she realized she’d probably done it too appreciatively when his eyes darkened dangerously.
“I’ll let you call me whatever you want me, just as long as you agree to hear me out. Five minutes. That’s all I’m asking for.”
Mrs. McGreggor’s door opened again and this time she stepped into the hallway, her pink bathrobe on display, swallowing her diminutive form whole. She crossed her arms and the robe billowed around her as she did. “Let him in, Ash. Hear him out and when you’re done, send his sorry ass over here for a cup of tea and a chat about how to treat a lady.” The old woman licked her lips and cackled like a crone. “Maybe he can do a little dance for me in that costume of his. I’d like to see that tight ass bust a move. It would give me my entertainment for the year.”