Ashton took a deep breath and looked back at his friends. "What do you suggest I do about it?"
"Just be more careful around her," Glynn said.
Rolling his eyes, Ashton released a gush of irritated air between his teeth. "And what about tonight? Don't you think she is going to become curious as to why I'm suddenly distant?"
"Don't be distant." Steve shook his head. "Don't let her think you suspect her of anything."
"And how, pray tell, am I supposed to do that after what you have just told me?"
"Pretend." Glynn grinned. "Men do it all the time when they're with women."
Not often was Ashton privileged to see Steve Larson grin, but he did so now—and even chuckled a little at Nickerson's comment.
Taking a deep breath, Ashton steeled himself for the performance of a lifetime, and turned
