A Love Trap

Ashley nodded in agreement. "Yes, you're probably right."

The girls hung out until it was time to get off work. Ashley meanwhile didn't seem to want to leave.

Ellie looked at her, seemingly puzzled. "Why hasn't he come to pick you up?"

'Isn't he normally punctual? He's always here at five o'clock sharp. It doesn't matter if there's a rainstorm or a hurricane—he has never been late. Not even a minute late.

Even if he needed to work overtime, he would have asked somebody to come and pick her up.

What's going on?

Did he forget?'

Ashley turned, wanting nothing more than to leave. She really wasn't in the mood to talk about it.

This didn't go unnoticed by Ellie's sharp eyes. She squinted then raised her voice, "Ashley, stop!"

'Ahhh, ' Ashley thought to herself. 'Why do we need to talk about it now? I'm not ready to talk about it just yet.'

She slowly swiveled and put on a fake smile. "What is it, Ellie? Nina and Cheryl have already left. Let's get our things and leave too."

Ellie ignored what she said and asked her instead, "What's happening? Isn't Andrew coming to pick you up? Did you two have a fight?"

Ashley pressed her lips together and said, "Why would we fight?"

"Then what's the matter?" Ellie wouldn't let it go.

"Just forget about it," said Ashley, her face turning ugly.

Ellie approached her so she could hug her. Then in a soft voice, she asked, "What happened? You used to tell me everything. We never keep anything from each other. Why won't you tell me now?"

She was almost sure that they did have a fight. But they didn't look like the type of couple who would fight.

As Ashley let herself be enveloped in Ellie's arms, she felt her sadness surge inside her. She murmured, "Ellie, let's go home first. We can talk there, okay?"

first. We can talk there. Don't be

I'll sleep over tonight,"

said glumly as she put her head on Ellie's shoulder.

Ellie,

and gave her whatever she wanted.

a true

friends for that reason.

forgotten about Francis and had already taken him off her mind. Ashley was way more important than

closed the door of the cake shop

groceries in the supermarket and cook our dinner at home.

anything you want," Ellie

she said as she leaned on Ellie's shoulder.

course. You're my best

walking on the street, a red Ferrari that was hard

react, Francis suddenly got out of the car. He looked sexy and attractive

so focused on Ellie that he couldn't

ignored whoever was

smile and said, "Ellie, I've come to

at the distracted Ashley and cleared her throat. "I'm going to sleep over at Ashley's tonight. You can

was in disbelief.

a step forward so that she was in between them. She eyed Francis and said, "What

He turned his head only to see Ashley. "Oh,

came to pick Ellie up," he said nonchalantly.

frowned and said, "Didn't I tell you to leave

hand while Francis was a

end up hurt if she gave him a chance.

had to protect Ellie from him.

been together. They

would give Francis a really hard time.

and

was speechless. "What kind of strategy is

She focused on Francis and how to deal with him. She was