Ashley found him in the study, sleeves rolled, tie forgotten on the desk, deeply engrossed in a document. He looked up when she stepped in, the worry lines easing the second he saw her.
"Hey," he said, softly.
"Hey." She leaned on the doorframe, then crossed the space and kissed his cheek.
"Your mother stopped by my office today." She tossed it casually into the air like it was a regular occurrence.
His shoulders tensed a bit then smoothed.
"Well, that was fast. I saw her this morning. I knew she was going to make a move like this but not at this speed. Did she…?"
"She was civil,if that's what you're about to ask." Ashley said, keeping it brief on purpose. "We just talked. I'm glad we did."
He searched her face. "She didn't bother you?"
"Nothing I couldn't handle." She smiled a little and added almost reluctantly . "And I think she heard me."
"Good." He exhaled, the relief visible. "I'm sorry, I know how she can be."
