"Were you really hiding in there?"
"Mhm."
"Why?"
"...Force of habit."
Silence fell over Lucian and Ashley as they did the dishes together. He washed, and she wiped them dry before setting them aside.
Then she spoke to break the silence.
"Didn't you say you couldn't make it home last night?"
Lucian took a second before answering. "Nolan sent a message."
"He did?" She turned to him. "Did he curse you out or something?"
"No." He turned, facing her squarely. "However, he sounded very upset."
Her brows rose as she tried to imagine Nolan angry. She couldn't picture it.
"I was curious," he added, gazing down at the sink. "And worried."
"Worried about what?"
"You."
Ashley blinked several times — long enough for Lucian to finish the last plate and reach for the cloth in her hand to wipe it dry.
"I'm glad I came," he added, holding her gaze as he wiped the plate. "Otherwise, I wouldn't have known."
