Ash shook his head and made a face of disapproval. "After what happened with Andi, we said we weren't doing that."
"You dated that girl?" Mason asked with his eyebrows furrowed. "You never dated her."
"Yes, I did. Briefly. She was out at the ranch when I was filming that series. Her sister is dating the director."
"Does she live here?"
"Josie or Audrey? Her sister lives in L.A., but Audrey lives here."
"Audrey? That's her name?" He pointed to the lobby. "Go talk to her for me, brother," Mason urged. "You didn't date her. Briefly? You haven't had a girlfriend in the last year. You told us a bunch of stuff about filming that series, and you never mentioned anything about a woman."
"What are you guys talking about?" Val asked, since the boys had been conversing quietly with each other.
"Ash won't introduce me to his friend."
"That's because she's not my friend," Ash said, shaking his head.
"You didn't date her. Do you guys know anybody named Audrey?" Mason asked the group at large.
"I didn't officially date her. But I've kissed her. Several times." People were listening now, and Ash hated giving them that piece of information, but Mason didn't seem to want to relent.
"What's happening?" their mom asked from across the table.
"Ash was dating someone, and he didn't tell you," Mason said, teasing them both.
Jamie Adams leveled her oldest son with a stare, squinting at him, and Ash responded by shrugging innocently. "I didn't date her," he said to his mom.
While they were talking, Audrey moved into view again. She found a place in the crowded lobby and stood with her back to the wall. There were two large rooms and several tables between them, and there was just no way she could see him or hear them. She wore a serious, unreadable expression, and she took out her phone and started to push buttons on it.
"I’m going to say 'hello' to her before our food gets here," Ash said to anyone who was listening. There were conversations going on at the table and other noises and murmuring at the tables around them. There was music playing, and the place was more packed than usual. His family had reserved the table, and it was a good thing because the tables were all full and the lobby was brimming with people who were waiting. Audrey was still looking at her phone, actively using it, when Ash came closer to her. She was completely unaware of him.
"Audrey, hey, I wanted to grab a quick hug from you." Ash had no idea why he said that. He was nervous.
She glanced up to meet his gaze, and as soon as his words registered, she smiled and reached out to hug him. She smelled so nice, and it felt amazing to hold her and see her again. He didn't want to let go.
"Fancy meeting you here," she said. She pulled away and smiled up at him. "I was just texting James Blanchett. So funny. I'll have to tell him I saw you here."
James was someone else who worked with them on the movie, and Ash felt a wave of jealousy that she was texting. Audrey had been an extra on set at the ranch. James had more of a role than she did, but he was also an extra. He was an okayguy, but Ash didn't see Audrey with someone like James, and he couldn't help but be a little jealous—especially with how she just randomly stopped talking to him on set.
"Are you dating James?"
"No, he's uh, helping me," she smiled and hesitated, glancing around. "I'm about to audition for a musical, and he's been helping me get ready for that."
"What musical?"
"Chicago," she said. She made a face after she said it. It was a precious little smirk, and he smiled at her.
"I remember you talking to him about musicals when we were on set. Is this your first one?"
"Yes, and I'm so nervous."
"Don't be. Did you say you haven't auditioned yet?"
She shook her head. "Not yet."
"What did you have to prepare?"
"I'm so sorry. Hang on. My phone's vibrating, and I'm sure it's James. They're waiting on me. I need to text him back real quick."
