Spencer watched as Aiden effortlessly lifted her suitcases up and situated them in the back of his Jeep. Sometimes it was nice to have a guy around; their muscles were good for something.

“Hey, again, thanks for dropping me off. I know it’s not exactly on the way.”

Grabbing the top of the trunk door and bringing it down over his head, Aiden slammed it shut, shaking the whole car.

“No problem. I don’t know exactly what happened between you and Patrick, but he asked me to do this before he left. Anything for an old friend, you know?”

Spencer nodded, but she really didn’t know.

“Plus, I would never leave a lady in distress,” he added with a smile.

Giving him the obligatory small laugh, Spencer felt a pang of guilt reverberate through her body. Pushing it to the side, she forced herself to reply.

“Well, whatever your reason, I really appreciate it.”

Aiden gave her a small nod and yelled over his shoulder as he walked away.

“I’m gonna go grab the rest of our stuff and see if Ash is ready to go. We’ll be out in a few.”

Walking around to the front of the Jeep, Spencer looked at the view in front of her. She thought back to when she and Patrick first pulled in here. Man, if she only knew then what the next few weeks would bring.

Backing up to lean against the hood of the car, Spencer began to formulate a plan.

Step 1. Finish this car ride without wanting to jump Ashley.

Step 2: Get back home and go back to work on Monday as the old Spencer. Cut throat, non-emotional, get-in-my-way-and-I’ll-fuck-you-up Spencer Carlin.

Step 3: Forget all about Ashley Davies.

Step 4: Take a bath.

What? Baths always make things better.

A four-step program. One, two, three, four. Uno, dos, tres, quatro. Psh. Four flimsy steps. Easy enough.

Yeah, right.

The sound of a door slamming shook Spencer out of her thoughts. Two bodies, one tall and broad and another tiny and frail made their way towards the blonde. Refusing to make eye contact with Ashley, she focused on Aiden and forced a smile on her face.

“Ready?”

“Yep. Let’s get out of here.”