A SECOND CHANCE AT FOREVER Chapter 88: CHAPTER EIGHTY EIGHT

ASHLEY

They say the definition of madness is repeating the same action and expecting a different outcome.

My definition of madness?

Entering into a strictly physical arrangement with Kyle Blackwood and expecting it to stay just that—physical.

I blamed my hormones. I blamed the stress of the store. If I weren’t so consumed by the demands of running this place, maybe I wouldn’t have made a deal with the one man capable of completely unraveling me.

But I had.

And now, there was no taking it back.

Not that anything had happened yet.

Five days had passed since we’d made our arrangement, and despite the tension thrumming between us every time our path collides

But it was only a matter of time.

I could already feel it—the slow, insidious build of anticipation. Like a storm gathering on the horizon, dark and inevitable.

I tried to ignore the restless energy buzzing beneath my skin as I moved around my store, helping customers, answering questions, ringing up sales. I should have been fully focused on work. On stocking new inventory, managing orders, making sure every detail was perfect.

But no, my traitorous mind had other ideas.

Instead of thinking about perfumes and business strategies, I kept replaying the last time I’d been alone with Kyle. The way his voice had dropped to that rough, dangerous whisper. The way his breath had skimmed my skin, hot and unrelenting.

The way he had said, You might be calling this temporary, but I’m not giving up on you.

I swallowed hard, gripping the counter as I wrapped up a customer’s purchase, forcing my expression into something pleasant, professional.

I was fine.

Everything was fine.

The arrangement was simple—sex, no feelings, no strings attached.

It didn’t matter that Kyle had made it clear he wasn’t giving up on me. That he saw this as an opportunity to win me back.

It didn’t matter that a part of me—a very, very stupid part—wondered what would happen if I let him.

Because I wouldn’t.

I couldn’t.

I handed the customer their bag, offering a polite smile as they thanked me and walked out. As soon as they were gone, I exhaled, sagging slightly against the counter.

Gods, I needed to get a grip.

This arrangement was supposed to be easy.

So why did it already feel like the most dangerous thing I’d ever done?

The last customer finally left, and the door chimed softly as it closed behind them. The quiet of the store settled in around me like a heavy cloak. I glanced around, satisfied with the work I’d done. The shelves were neatly stocked, the displays perfect, and the lingering scent of jasmine and sandalwood hung in the air, a calming contrast to the storm brewing in my mind.

I double-checked the register, made sure everything was in order, and then locked the door behind me.

With my workday done, my mind immediately returned to the one thing I couldn’t escape.

Kyle.

Enough, Ashley.

I shook my head, snapping myself out of the spiraling thoughts. I wasn’t going to go down that path again. The store had been my distraction, but now that I was done for the day, I needed something else to focus on.

Mochii.

The thought of my cat brought a small, tired smile to my face. At least she was a constant, and she didn’t complicate things.

I grabbed my keys and headed out, the cool evening air a welcome contrast to the heat that had been swirling in my chest all day. The store was just down the block from a small pet store, and I had promised myself I would pick up something special for Mochii today. A new toy, some treats—something to give her extra love after the busy week.

The walk there was short, and as I entered the small shop, the familiar scents of pet food and playful meows from the kittens in the back greeted me. I moved through the aisles, my mind still half occupied with thoughts of Kyle, but the distraction of pet supplies helped.

Mochii deserved something special.

After grabbing a bag of treats and a new feather wand, I made my way to the counter. The cashier smiled as she rung me up, and for a moment, I felt a brief, welcome normality in the mundane exchange.

Once I was done, I stepped outside and grabbed a cab. By the time I reached home, the weight of the day had settled deeper into my bones. I fed Mochii, watching her devour her food like she hadn’t eaten in days, her little purrs making everything feel just a little bit better.

I took a quick shower to rinse off the day’s stress, letting the hot water soothe my tense muscles. When I finally crawled into bed, the exhaustion hit me all at once. My body felt like it was made of lead, but my mind wouldn’t stop racing. I turned over, staring at the ceiling, trying to quiet the thoughts of Kyle that kept creeping in.

Maybe I needed to get out. A night out with Violet could be exactly what I needed—a break from all of this.

I grabbed my phone, scrolling through my contacts until I landed on her name. She’d been the only one to really understand what I was going through. I’d been avoiding her for the past few days, distracted by work and everything else, but tonight seemed like the perfect excuse to let loose.

I tapped out a quick message

“ Violet, how about we go out tonight? Drinks, dancing, the whole shebang?”

I sent it before I could second-guess myself.

I lay back in bed, my fingers tracing absent patterns along the blanket, my mind already picturing the night ahead.

Yeah. That was exactly what I needed.

Violet would be my escape for the night. I could let go, at least for a few hours.

Maybe it would clear my head.

Maybe it wouldn’t.

It didn’t take long for my phone to buzz with a response from Violet

“Hell yes! I really do need a break from Lina. I’m already getting ready! Meet me at Club Pulse in an hour?”

I smiled, a bit of relief washing over me. Violet’s enthusiasm was exactly the kind of energy I needed right now. I typed back quickly, Perfect. I’ll be there.

After setting my phone down, I swung my legs off the bed and stood up. There was something about getting ready for a night out—picking out the outfit, the makeup, the little preparations—that had a way of making everything feel lighter, like I could be someone else for a while. Someone who wasn’t tangled up in unresolved feelings and ex-husbands and the chaos that seemed to follow me lately.

I grabbed a sleek black dress from my closet, the one that always made me feel confident. Simple but bold, with just enough edge to make a statement. A quick swipe of makeup—nothing too heavy, just a little foundation to smooth out my skin and a pop of lipstick to add some color. I didn’t want to overdo it; I just wanted to feel like myself again, or at least like the version of myself that could enjoy the night without the weight of everything pressing down on her.

Once I was ready, I grabbed my phone again, making sure to lock up before heading out. The streets were still buzzing with the energy of the city, but this time, it was different. I wasn’t just walking home after a long day at work; I was heading out for a night of freedom, even if it was just for a few hours.

The cab ride felt shorter this time, the excitement building in my chest as we neared Club Pulse. The neon lights outside the club flashed, pulsing in time with the beat of the music I could already hear spilling out into the street. A smile tugged at my lips. This was what I needed. The thumping bass, the flashing lights, the chance to let go.

Violet was already standing outside, looking effortlessly chic in a little blue dress and high heels. She waved as I approached, her grin wide. “You ready to get this night started?”

I laughed, my nerves finally starting to ease. “I was born ready.”

We linked arms and walked into the club together, the loud music immediately engulfing us. The atmosphere was electric, full of life and people eager to forget about their own problems, just like me.

Violet led me straight to the bar, dragging me past the dance floor where people were already losing themselves to the rhythm of the music. I placed my order for a whiskey sour, trying not to think about anything else for a while.

As I waited for the drink, my eyes roamed over the club’s interior. The black walls were adorned with gold outlines of hyacinths, the intricate patterns winding their way across the space like something out of a dream. Real bouquets of the same flowers were arranged on the modular tables scattered throughout the room, adding a fresh, fragrant touch. The DJ, a guy with bright green hair, was stationed high above the crowd on his platform, expertly weaving remixes into the electric atmosphere. Servers weaved through the crowd, trays of shots in hand, their outfits daringly minimalist.

I took in the vibe, letting the noise and chaos take over, feeling the lingering tension in my chest slowly start to loosen. This was exactly what I needed.

The bartender slid my whiskey sour in front of me, the glass cool and inviting. I reached for it, just about to take my first sip, when my phone buzzed.

I glanced down, the familiar ping already making my stomach flip in a way I wasn’t sure I liked.

It was Kyle.

KYLE: Tonight. Where should we meet?