ASHLEY.    I don't think I've ever moved so fast in my entire life.    The echoes of my heart pounding against my chest are loud in my ears as my widened eyes move to Lucinda who's standing by my door with shock unmistakable in her features.    "What... What the... What's happening?" She questions, her eyes moving to me and I let out a sigh, striding towards her and peeking over her shoulder before dragging her in and shutting the door behind us; this time making sure I click the lock.    I was so engrossed with the sight of Sinclair spread across my bed that I forgot to fúcking lock the door. Vincent could have been the way to walk in through that door and the thought of my brother snagging me in bed with his best friend in an extremely intimate position terrifies me and I shake my mind off the thought– taking my attention to the scene before me. Sinclair's gaze is on Lucinda and

ASHLEY.    I swallow down as the reason this place felt so familiar in the first place finally sinks in.    This is Vincent's bureau.    My eyes move to the girl beside Sinclair. She has her hand swaddled over his shoulder, and she's laughing at whatever my brother is telling along with him.    My heart aches at the sight and I step back, attempting to walk out of here before they notice me, but life must be fucking around with me because Vincent chose that time to lift his head; his gaze moving across the room and meeting mine.    "Ashley, " he enunciates. I can barely hear his voice from where I stand, and the low voices of the shoppers, but I can listen to the murmur.    "Fuck. " I cuss under my breath as I wave at him with a small smile on my face, and he motions for me to come forward.    "I didn't

VINCENT.    My eyes move across the room filled with people who are more than eager to forget about their dreary lives and it effortlessly lands on the girl sitting at the bar side of the room.    Striding towards her, I grab a seat next to her and she turns at the intermission; a smile on her face as her eyes meet my gaze.    "You're here. " She says and I nod, my eyes moving to the glass she has in hand.    "Why are you here? I thought you were gonna stay with Sinclair. " I question and she shrugs, taking a big gulp of her drink before setting the glass before her.   "Sinclair isn't precisely in the right mood to see me, and I thought I would have some fun. I hope I'm not bothering you, though. " She raises her brows and I shake my head, signalling to the bartender.    "Can I get a glass of what she's having?" I request and the odd-

ASHLEY.    My eyes open to convening the beautiful sight before me. I can't help the smile on my face as I move further into his embrace; my eyes hauling along every inch of his face.    Reaching out, I let my finger trail over his brows before dragging it down his nose and letting it hover over his lips. The urge to take them in mine spurts through me, but I hold back with a soft sigh.    I still can't believe I'm here. Right in the arms of this man. His arms are draped around my waist in a possessive grip that leaves my heart fluttering and my body throbbing negligibly with warmth.    I let my finger fall to the small cut on his cheek– one that was undoubtedly given by his asshole of a father. I have so many questions about him, but Sinclair doesn't want to speak about the man and I completely understand why, even when I'm dying to know the history behind the issue. 

ASHLEY.    My eyes are drawn to slits as I stare at the girl before me who's staring at me with beseeching eyes.    A laugh falls from my mouth as I say, "What are you talking about? Get you back with Dave? What's that got to do with me?"   Quinn jiggles her head stubbornly, saying, "It's got everything to do with you, Greene. Don't you get it, or you're just pretending not to?" She lifts her brows in questioning.    "The fact that you're speaking out of line? Yeah, I don't get it. " I shrug and she sighs, slapping a hand against her forehead. She looks almost frustrated, knowing nothing to do.    "Don't do this, Ashley. Please. " She whispers, stepping closer and I crease my brows saying, "Don't do what? I don't understand what you're talking about, Quinn. Do you want to get back to Dave? Fine, let him know. I don't see anything stopping you? You never needed