Page 129 of Smokey's Distraction
“You’ve got it bad, girl.”
Ashley giggled. “I know, and it feels wonderful.”
“Being in love is the best feeling in the world. Hang on.” She heard Whitney yelling something about a drink order to someone. “I’m back, but I have to go. It’s crazy tonight because L.A. Guns is playing. You should come over and have a drink.”
“It’s tempting, but I’m pretty beat. I still have some work I need to finish up tonight.”
“Too bad. I can swing by and pick you up tomorrow for dinner if you want?”
“That sounds good.”
“I better go—it’s fucking nuts around here. Seven tomorrow.”
“That works. See you then.”
Putting her phone down, Ashley finished putting away the groceries. She and Whitney had become good friends, and she enjoyed their weekly dinners. After Ashley had gone on and on about the yoga classes at the center, Whitney had signed up, and they usually grabbed a coffee after classes. Because of Whitney’s erratic schedule, Ashley usually only saw her at the yoga center a few times a month, but whenever she was there, the two of them had a good time.
After putting the paper bag in the recycle bin, Ashley padded out of the kitchen and into the bedroom to change out of her work clothes. A few minutes later, she was settled on the couch, leafing through a cooking magazine she’d grabbed at the store. Leaning over, she picked up the glass of pinot grigio and took a sip.I wish Smokey was here.One of her favorite things was snuggling against him on the couch. Since they started dating, he’d spent practically every night at her house, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Brrring!
Pushing up from the couch, she groaned. Peeking out the window, she saw Mark’s truck still parked at the curb.
“Why can’t Zach call me on my damn cell phone?” she muttered, trudging into the kitchen.
Brrring!
“I’m coming.” Picking up the white receiver, and answered with, “Zach, why do you keep calling me on the landline?”
A deep chuckle rumbled through the line.
Her senses instantly spiked to high alert.
“Is that you, Zack?” She knew it wasn’t. A sick feeling twisted in the pit of her stomach as she waited for the caller to say something.
Silence.
Slamming the phone down, she scurried over and locked the door, checked the window latches, and activated the security system.
The phone rang again, and she jumped in place, like a cat on hot tar. Trembling, she slowly shuffled back into the kitchen. The rings echoed off the walls, and she put her hands over her ears to block them out.
Brrring! Brrring!
Her heart pounded as she picked up.
“Stop calling.”
“Did you set the alarm after checking that the windows were all locked?”
It was the same voice as before: low, whispering, seductive.This can’t be happening.
“Stop calling me. I know it’s you, AJ, and that Sabrina’s put you up to this. Smokey’s not going to like it when I tell him.”
“AJ’s a stupid fool. He threw pebbles at your house when the biker was there. How fucking stupid isthat?”
She caught her breath. If AJ wasn’t on the phone, then who was?Maybe Sabrina found someone else to do her dirty work.But Ashley knew that wasn’t true. The man on the phone was the same one as the last time, and that was before she even knew about AJ.
“I’m watching you. You thought you were safe after that idiot got caught. He was an amateur, but I promise you, I’m not.” His voice was calm, almost hypnotizing. “It’s time we meet, don’t you think?”
