I lifted my hand slightly, then glanced at Rebecca. She stood there in polished perfection, every detail carefully chosen, nothing accidental about any of it. I looked away and kept my voice calm. "I did call. Ms. Larson said you were in a meeting."
Ashton's expression changed at once. A faint pulse showed at his temple as his gaze shifted to her, slow and deliberate. "Is that so?"
The air in the room tightened.
Rebecca's face lost color. "I'm sorry, Ash. I didn't mean to answer your phone. It kept ringing and I thought it was urgent — I didn't expect it to be Scarlett."
I tilted my head slightly, turning it over. "That's strange. I only called once before it connected." My eyes returned to Ashton, a faint, cool smile settling on my lips. "You must get a great many calls."
His brows drew together. "Don't do that."
Then he turned to Rebecca, his voice dropping, the warmth entirely gone from it. "It's late. I'll have Joe take you back."
