Ashton's tone was serious, and for a split second, my teasing mood completely disappeared.

I looked at him closely—he seemed exhausted, probably from balancing Alice's recovery and now dealing with this conversation with me.

I softened, stepping forward and pulling him a little closer.

"Caleb and I are just friends," I said gently. "That's why I can joke about him. There's literally nothing to worry about."

The second the words ...