Chapter 1
Ashley Long glanced up from her desk in the tiny cubical to the clock on the wall by the door. Still another half hour until quitting time. She sighed and pressed the answer button to take the next customer in the never-ending stream of incoming calls at the busy call center where she worked. She took three more calls, none of which improved her mood, then looked back up at the clock. Two minutes past five. She was officially a person again.
She logged off her workstation and removed her headset, pulling it carefully from her long, wavy blonde hair. She shook her head slightly to untangle her hair, then stowed the headset in the top drawer of the desk she shared with three other women. Christ, she hated this place!
A familiar voice spoke up from behind her. Are you coming out with us for drinks, Ash?
She turned around to see her friend and roommate, Debbie pulling her light spring jacket on.
Sure, Ashley replied as she stood up and stretched her stiff muscles. Her hair flowed down her back as she did, her firm double D's straining against the fabric of her bra. She wore a conservative knee length gray skirt, with her tanned and toned calves looking not quite so conservative. She smoothed her white blouse over her slim waist and smiled at Debbie, her blue eyes sparkling. She stood five-foot-seven, weighed about one-ten, and had the kind of beauty and graceful figure that made every man who saw her do a double-take. She lifted her jacket from the coat hook next to her desk and slipped it on. Gathering up her purse, she walked over to the elevator where Debbie was waiting.
Debbie was twenty, a year older than Ashley, and was also very pretty, although Ashley was the one who garnered the most attention from hopeful male suitors. She was a little shorter than Ashley, and had long, straight brown hair that reached almost to her waist. She wore a conservative business suit, as did everyone here, and spoke to a few other girls as they made their way toward the elevators to escape the monotonous grind of work for the weekend.
Ashley approached Debbie as the others were leaving, adjusting the collar of her suit coat and pulling her long hair free from it. She smiled and waved at the others as they parted, then looked at Debbie. So who else is coming? she asked as they waited for the elevator doors to open.
Debbie's green eyes sparkled as she smiled. Just a few friends . . . and possibly some cute single guys!
Ashley eyed her narrowly. Debbie, you know how I feel about set-ups!
Debbie sighed and shook her head as they rode the elevator down to the ground floor. You've been here in the city for almost six months now and you haven't been out on one date! Ashley didn't reply as they exited the elevator and walked toward the glass doors that led out onto the busy street. Debbie sighed again and put a hand on her arm. Ash, it's time to move on. He's gone and he's not coming back. Ashley kept walking, still saying nothing. Debbie gripped her arm tighter and stopped, forcing her to stop and turn to her. Look, I know you don't like me setting you up, but it really is time to move on. You're young, beautiful, and single. How many guys have you turned down since he left?
Ashley shrugged and looked around, deliberately avoiding her eyes. I dunno . . .a few, I guess.
Debbie's eyes widened. A few! Ash, you get hit on or asked out more times in a day than the average girl does in a week! And as pretty as you are, if you keep turning them down, eventually they're going to stop asking!
Ashley sighed and gave her a weak smile. You're right, Deb. Ok, I'll go. Anticipating her next comment, she quickly added, And I'll even try to have fun.
Debbie patted her on the shoulder as they continued walking toward their apartment only a few blocks away. That's the spirit! she exclaimed as they went up to the apartment to change out of their work clothes.
An hour later they walked into Jake's, a local bar that was popular with their acquaintances from work. It was actually about halfway between their apartment and the call center, so it was perfect. As their eyes adjusted to the dim lights they could see the bar was packed with the usual after work crowd. Debbie saw the group she was looking for and they made their way over to the table. Ashley felt the usual stares of most of the men, and a few women, follow her across the crowded room. She was used to it now and it no longer bothered her like it had when she had first