Chapter Forty-Two - Staying Over At His Place

Ashton stopped strumming the guitar and looked straight into her eyes. The intensity of his look made Hayley’s breath get stuck in her throat. “How was it? Did I do justice to your favorite song?” he asked, flashing her a skew little smile. Of course, he did. He was a player. He knew the effect he was having on her.

Hayley came to her senses and pulled a bar stool to sit down beside him.

“Yes, it was mind-blowing! I didn’t think you would remember. When did you start playing the guitar?” she asked breathlessly.

He smiled, keeping down his instrument and getting up. “I used to play on my dad’s broken guitar when I lived with him. He taught me to play. Then uncle Daniel bought me this one. I started taking formal lessons, but I stopped playing it in the last four years.” Hayley searched his eyes at his indirect admission. Why did he stop playing? Was it because of her?

“Why did you stop?” She held her breath, waiting for his reply. Ashton stood watching her, his deep, penetrating ga