His mother licked her lips as the security closed in. “I need to speak to you, Ash. It’s important. It’s about your grandfather.”
“You aren’t manipulating me like you manipulate everyone else in your life. I have no interest in you or the old man. Look around, Mother. I don’t need you. I don’t need him. I’ve made a success of myself without any of you. And perhaps that’s the biggest reason you despise me so much.”
She went white, but anger glittered in her eyes. Josie’s heart ached for Ash. It didn’t matter that he’d hardened himself to his family. This was his mother! Everyone needed a mother. She could only imagine how it made him feel to know his own mother despised him.
She reached up, not knowing if it was what she should do, but she curled her fingers around Ash’s hand and then rose to stand beside him. Only he shifted so she wasn’t exactly beside him but more behind him, nestled into his side. He was protecting her even now from his mother’s judgment and vitriol. Josie just wanted him to know that she was here. Beside him. Always. He might be protective of her, but she sure as hell would protect him from whatever she could.
“Escort her out,” Ash said to the two security officers.
“I know my own way out,” she huffed, shrugging off the hand of one of the guards.
“I have no doubt of that. But then letting you walk out on your own would deprive me of the pleasure of having you thrown out,” Ash said.
He nodded toward the two security guards and they grasped his mother by the arms, one on either side, and began to lead her away.
Her shrieks of indignation filled the air. Josie flinched because every eye in the restaurant was on them. She’d even seen a few camera flashes. She had no doubt today’s incident would be all over the tabloids. Ash was one of the wealthiest men in the city. He came from money, from people with connections in society. His grandfather was a well-known figure in politics. No doubt the papers would be tripping over themselves to report the estrangement between Ash and his mother.
What if Michael saw it? Would he try to cause trouble for Ash once he realized who Ash was?
More camera flashes, this time much closer. Josie flinched away, covering her face with a hand. Ash pulled her farther behind him and then flicked his hand toward the people taking pictures. In a moment’s time, more security rushed forward, effectively shutting down the impromptu photo session.
Josie sagged into her chair. Brittany looked shell-shocked. She was pale and looked mortified as she sagged against the back of her chair. Josie’s heart went out to her.
“I’m having a girls’ night out Wednesday night,” Josie said casually. “You should go with us. It’ll be fun.”
Brittany blinked in surprise as she stared back over at Josie.
Beside Josie, Ash had retaken his seat and he curled his fingers around hers, squeezing as she issued the invitation. She chanced a peek up at Ash and saw warm approval—and appreciation—glowing in his eyes. She smiled encouragingly up at him, as if to say, It’ll be all right.
“I don’t know,” Brittany began.
“You should go, Britt. Josie is going with Mia and Bethany and their girls. You’ve already met Bethany. They’re solid. You’d like them. No better women anywhere,” Ash said.
Brittany’s cheeks turned pink but delight simmered in her eyes.
“I’d like that, Josie. Thanks. Tell me when and where.”
Josie glanced up at Ash because she didn’t know the when and where. Only that she was going Wednesday night and that she and Ash were shopping for a dress and shoes after lunch with Brittany.
“I’ll send a car for you,” Ash promised. “I’ll warn you, though. They take girls’ night out pretty seriously. You’ll need a sexy dress and some to-die-for heels. It’s the dress code, or so I’ve been informed.”