Take Me Down (Suits in Pursuit) Read Free

mattress.”
    “You were yelling and screaming last night, and then our call disconnected. I tried to call you back, but you didn’t answer. I was worried about you.”
    Ashley lowered her gaze. “Sorry.” Her shaky voice pitched. “I took Copper out last night, and he broke lose. When I went after him, I dropped my new phone. Broke it. No insurance. My life is awesome.” Ashley sneered and then rolled her eyes.
    Heat rushed to her cheeks. “Only I could lose a man and my dog in an hour. Honestly, I’m more upset about Copper’s running away. You know how much I love that little fur ball.” Her anger being so intense raised her temperature ten degrees. Ashley dabbed her forehead, drying light perspiration.
    Kerrigan reached out and wrapped Ashley in her arms. “Oh, Ash. I am so sorry.”
    Ashley sobbed on Kerrigan’s shoulder.
    “You’re better off without Paul in your life. You and him, the whole relationship, was toxic. You’re a knockout—absolutely gorgeous. Smart. Sassy. Any man worth anything and with half a brain would be lucky to have you. You deliberately put yourself into relationships with jerks to avoid getting too close. Is this about Chris?”
    Ashley squirmed out from Kerrigan’s embrace. “Damn you, Kerri. That’s not fair. You can say whatever you want, but you know talking about Chris is off-limits.” Dragging heavy feet, Ashley dawdled into the kitchen. She sank into a chair at the round glass table.
    Kerrigan followed and sat next to her at the kitchen table. “Ash, I’m your best friend and nothing I say is ever meant to hurt you. You need to let him go. It’s been six years.” Her voice softened, and tender eyes met Ashley’s.
    Ashley squeezed her eyes shut, fighting back conflicted emotions. She inhaled a deep breath. “I know you’re right. I’m trying.” Sharing her vulnerability, even with Kerrigan, had been rare and difficult.
    “Take a long weekend, go on an exotic trip. I’d go with you if I could leave my family, but Alexa is so young she needs me.” Kerrigan consoled Ashley, patting her hand with graceful fingers.
    Ashley’s gaze landed on Kerrigan’s wedding ring. The massive diamond probably had its own atmosphere. Envy stung her eyes again. “You have a different life now—husband, baby, your own boutique. I get that. Kerri, you know I’m happy for you.” She stared at the photo deliberately placed at eye level where she could see him whenever she sat at the table. “Chris and I always talked about going…”
    Kerrigan shifted in her seat and took Ashley’s stiff hands into hers. “Ash, Chris is gone. You had a wonderful life with him. If he were still alive, I know he’d want you to be happy. You need liberation from the past, from him—a new happiness.”
    Ashley blinked wide, watery eyes.
    Kerrigan reached across the table and yanked a tissue from the box. “You always talk about going to Europe.” She handed the tissue to Ashley.
    Ashley dabbed her wet eyes dry. “You can’t be serious. I can’t go to Europe by myself.” She shook her head.
    “Okay, what about taking a weekend trip somewhere closer to home?”
    Ashley shrugged her shoulders. “Kerri, I… I know you mean well, but I can’t.”
    “Yes, you can. You should talk to Dr. Martin. Find out what he thinks.”
    “I know what he thinks, and I happen to disagree with him too. I can’t go.”
    “No. You mean you won’t go because you’re afraid of living your life. That’s the reason you keep sabotaging any chance at a meaningful relationship by picking losers like Paul.”
    Ashley’s lips twisted into a crooked, quivering, nervous line. “I know you’re right, Kerri, but I can’t.”
    Kerrigan frowned, her index finger pointed at Ashley. “Yes, you will. I’ll pick the destination and buy your ticket. All you have to do is show.”
    Ashley plastered herself against the chair’s backrest, arms folded across her chest, sulking.
    “Well?” Kerrigan asked, pushing