"That's not it either," said Ashton Heath, seeing she was purposefully avoiding the real answer. He gave a light chuckle and affectionately pinched her nose. "Baby, you know what I want to hear."
Joanna Lawrence gave a soft laugh, a twinkle in her eye. "You've already heard it. Why would you want to hear it again?"
"I want to hear it," Ashton insisted. He held her hand and gently squeezed her palm. "If you say it again, I'll help analyse the situation with Aria," he offered sweetly.
Joanna said nothing.
"No one understands my brother better than I do. My analysis is going to be very useful for you and your best friend. Baby, do you want to say it again, hmm?" Ashton asked, a smile in his eyes.
His eyes softened with deep affection.
When Joanna looked at him, his eyes were filled with warmth and tenderness.
To him, she was his whole world, the most precious thing he had.
In that instant, Joanna's heart quickened.