EIGHT

“Hmm,” Ashley turned as she responded unconsciously to the noise her phone was making.
Her phone was actually ringing!

Ashley jumped. In the past few weeks, her ringtone had become a stranger. Rubbing sleep off her eyes, she grabbed her phone from the stand, a faintly loud music filling her eyes causing her to hiss.

Why would anyone be playing songs so loud early in the morning?

Her eyes went to the screen, it was her neighbor.
“Hello Katie.”

“Good morning Ashley. I am so sorry for not checking on you I just came back from my holiday this morning.” Katie was actually the only one in their area that showed any interest in being friends with her, the rest saw Ashley as being proud, all they did was greet her from afar, bitterness on their tongues.

“It is fine Katie. I did not call because I did not want to disturb you.”

“Nonsense. How would you be disturbing me? Anyway, it is good to know that you have moved on,” Ashley frowned, she wondered what she meant. “Your boyfriend is out here dancing to our amusement.”

“Boyfriend?”

“Oh please, don’t pretend. You finally got a man that suits your look.”

Dancing? Boyfriend? Ashley was further confused. “Who are you talking about?”

“Oh come on Ash, there is this good looking man with dark curled hair dancing in front of your house to loud music playing from his car.”

“What?”

“Just come outside and see for yourself,” Ashley rushed out of her bed and in no time, she was outside her apartment.

There was loud music alright. And a man twisting his body melodiously to the rocky song playing. Her mouth wide open, her legs walked further onto the lawn.

Taking off his shirt to the delight of his gathered and interested audience, Dave turned towards Ashley’s house. When his eyes fell on her unbelieving ones, he smirked and danced closer to her.

“What on earth are you doing?”

He began to dance round her in a seductive manner, her cheeks growing hot as he was so close to her. “I am being silly.”

“Why?” He grabbed her hand and began to play puppeteer with them.

“Today, my aim is to make you happy.” He stopped in front of her, she did not miss his new hairdo and how it curled to the front to cover part of his forehead. “I want to see a smiling Ashley today.”

Seeing his action as being silly, Ashley shook her head disapprovingly, “Please turn off the music and let’s go in.”

“No,” he began to sway in front of her, his eyes not leaving hers. “,I am not stopping the music until you dance to the point of happiness. Until I see you smile, I am not turning off the music.”

Gasping unbelievably, her forehead creased with the same reaction, Ashley craned her neck to see if her neighbours were still watching.

Their eyes were glued on the both of them like they were their favorite show.

“Dance with me, Ashley Steve,” he whispered into her ears as the song changed to a fast beat country music.

“Dave...”

“We are not leaving here until you dance,” he reminded her, her hand dropped. Dave’s persistence and her stubbornness wouldn’t go hand in hand. “What are you waiting for Ashley? Forget your problems for some minutes and just dance with me. You had better make up your mind on time. I am already considering picking one of your neighbours and from the looks of it, they will be more than happy to dance with me. ”

Her brows quirked.

“Dance with me.” He grabbed her hand and twirled her on the spot. By the time the turn ended, she had a huge smile on her face.

And soon, she began to move her shoulders to the rhythm of the song, soon her hands joined, then her legs joined (well partially). Soon, she was hand in hand with the silly handsome man, dancing away, their cheeks resting against each other.

He was right. She forgot about all of her issues. Her neighbours eyes were not on her anymore, it was just her and Dave.

And, a huge smile on her face.

It was strange. The feeling coursing through her at that moment. It had been a while since she felt nothing but happiness. Happiness felt good at that moment. But she knew how short lived it was going to be, so she was going to enjoy it while it lasted.

Her eyes closing, Ashley savoured the fact that Dave was so close to her. She did not want to, but she did. Apart from her face, she could feel her heart jumping. It was not because of the dance or the music. It was because of him.

Soon, her smile flattered. It was too early for her heart to jump. She already established that the previous day.

“You had better be smiling back there,” his teasing voice brought her smile back.

What on earth was Dave Scott doing to her?

As the music playing ended, Dave pulled away and when he saw the glow that was planted on her face, he smiled, her heart warmed. “Mission accomplished.” He brought out his phone and killed the music.

“Are we done already?”

“Why, someone is loving the party already? Don’t worry, it just started, let’s go in and get you started for the day ahead.”

“Alright Dave Scott.” He gave a deep chuckle. “What?” she asked amusedly. Damn, even his laugh affected her.

“I like how you say my name, makes me want to hear it every day.” Ashley sighed inwardly. The man was torturing her heart and he had no idea. “I also love your smile.”

To hide the smile that was increasing on her face, Ashley teased him, “Don’t flirt with me Dave Scott.”

A throaty groan escaped his lips, “Don’t say my name like that, Ashley Steve, it makes me want to do stuff to you.”

*‘Your voice makes me want to do stuff to you,’* she wanted to correct him. But she pushed that aside and asked, “So, what are we doing today?”

He grabbed her head and walked her towards the entrance, “We are going to have you resume your work today.”