Chapter 69. The Truth

Ashley’s apartment was in an old building that had been remodeled to fit a modern world. Its wood paneling was gorgeous, and the open floor plan held a living room with tall floor-to-ceiling windows making up an entire wall. The kitchen was stunning, but Carlos wondered how often she used it with all her time spent at the restaurant.

Ashley answered the door in her pajamas. She looked tired and stressed out, and Carlos immediately felt a kindred connection. He pulled her into his arms and swayed her back and forth until she was giggling.

“You looked like you needed a hug,” he said when he let her go.

“I sure as hell do,” she said, leading him into the room.

“Why do you look so stressed?” Carlos settled into her couch. “And why are you in your night clothes so early? It’s three in the afternoon.”

“So late, more like it,” she said, bustling about in the kitchen, setting up two glasses of iced tea. “I’ve not really been hale and hearty, so I figured I’d st