Always (Time for Love Book 4) Read Online Free Page B

the same problem, so why should he continue to feel that way?
    He figured it would benefit him to make this group think he was getting serious with Sophie. Sophie could be his good excuse for why he couldn’t turn up to future gatherings—especially the ones where Brenna would be bringing Lance along with her.
    But what had happened with Brenna and Lance? It sounded like something had gone wrong. Did she get a phone call? Was that why the girls took an inordinately long time to come back from the kitchen?
    When Brenna had smiled at him when he’d asked her if she was okay, he saw the vulnerability in her eyes. Her expression had tugged at his heart with a force that had scared him, and he had to forcibly remind himself he was done hoping.
    How many times in the past had he comforted Brenna when she’d had her heart broken? He had hoped against hope that because he was there—right in front of her—she’d finally see she should be with him instead. Well, she never saw him that way. He’d be the biggest fool on earth if he let himself believe it would be different this time.
    So he left early, even though he wasn’t due to pick up Sophie until much later. He had to leave before he succumbed to his heart’s plea to hold Brenna and make her feel better. It might get him hoping again, and he didn’t want that. Besides, he knew Brenna. She was someone who stuck with a relationship and made it work. After her words on the beach that morning, he was sure she wouldn’t be giving up on Lance so easily—just like it took her six years before she finally called it quits with her idiot ex, Darren.
    His heart constricted, and he sighed with annoyance. He still ached at the knowledge that Brenna had been so in love with Darren for six long fucking years. That was why he wasn’t going to hang around to watch her fall in love with a new man.
    That’s right, Ash. Fucking move on. For good, this time.
    *****
    “T hanks again for picking me up and dropping me off, Ash. I really appreciate it.”
    “No problem,” Ash said, giving Sophie a smile.
    “Are you sure you don’t want to come in?”
    Ash shook his head regretfully. “Sorry. I have to go.”
    Sophie pursed her lips. “You know you’re my rebound guy, right, Ash? And we’re only in this for the sex?”
    Ash chuckled. “Yeah.”
    “I want you to know that you can call me any time you need me—even if it’s just to talk.”
    “Thanks, Sophie,” he said with a sigh. “I’m sorry I’m cutting this date short.”
    “Well, I’d been hoping for some sex today,” she said teasingly, “but it’s obvious you’re not in the mood.”
    He gave her an apologetic smile. The way he was feeling, he didn’t think he’d be in the mood for a long, long while with Sophie. Perhaps it was because he’d come to think of her as a friend. He was only able to have sex with women when it was one hundred percent casual with absolutely no view of forming any relationship whatsoever. Otherwise, the guilt would have gotten to him—because every single time he was in bed with a woman, his heart and mind were with Brenna.
    But he expected that to change soon. He was committed to moving on from Brenna, so surely it was only a matter of time before he was over her. Then he could be present with whomever he was having sex with, right? That would be freeing.
    “This woman’s really messing you up, huh?” Sophie commented.
    He opened his mouth to make a joke, but a confession came out instead. “She’s been messing me up for years. It’s about time I end the madness.”
    “So if you want to end the madness, wouldn’t a rebound romp be just what the doctor ordered?”
    “A great idea. But I’m ashamed to say I might not be able to perform tonight,” he answered.
    “I could suggest a pill for that.”
    Ash laughed out loud. “Now you’re really embarrassing me.”
    Sophie shook her head at him. “You got it bad, Ash.”
    “Damn it,” he said mildly. “Is that your