A... Knock?

A knock at the door turns both Ethan and Ashley's heads.

Eyes wide, Ashley turns to her host, speaking in a hushed voice. "Were you expecting somebody?"

"No." Ethan stands, suddenly feeling on balance. He didn't hear a truck, so it can't be Charlie. Walking over to the door, he gives Ashley a little shrug, as a second knock raps the wood. She nods at him, and with a small sigh, he opens the door.

A familiar face greets him, although the packaging is different. "Heya," Alex flashes a smile, "Nice pajama pants."

Swallowing slightly, Ethan looks Alex up and down. She's dressed in an outfit very similar to Ashley's, suggesting she might be out on a similar running venture. Her top is a tight sports bra, which given her flat chest is more style over function. On her bottom half, she's wearing very short, yet baggy, shorts, which do a pretty good job of hiding her business. Her long black hair is pulled back into a high pony, completing the look.

"Thanks," Ethan manages to get the word out before he could be accused of staring, "You out for a run or something?"

"Or something," she smiles, "I was in the neighbo-" she pauses, "Oh."

Ethan can see Alex is looking over his shoulder, glancing back he sees Ashley has moved up behind him.

"Hi..." Ashley leans down, reaching for her shoes.

Alex's eyes follow her downward. "Hi... Ashley?" It's faint, but Ethan can hear the surprise in her voice pose the name as a question. Obviously, she wasn't expecting Ashley of all people. "Sorry, um, am I interrupting?"

"No."

"No."

Ethan and Ashley answer together. Alex frowns in response.

"I was just leaving," Ashley stands upright, holding her shoes, "Just popped in on my run."

"Yeah," Ethan nods, trying to think of a follow-up, "You're totally not interrupting. It's cool."

Alex's frown softens. "Okay..." she looks back and forth between Ethan and Ashley, "This is weird..."

Ethan looks back at Ashley, who just shrugs. Turning back to Alex, he delivers a shrug of his own. "Why? We're friends."{if Ashley Sex=true} He keeps some information from the younger woman.{endif}{if Ashley Sex 2=true} Alex doesn't need to know the full extent of their relationship.{endif}{if Ashley Sex 3=true} Ethan REALLY doesn't want to say anymore.{endif}

"Hm." Alex's eyes shift back to Ashley. "Well, glad to hear you've been making friends." The words are aimed at Ethan, but her gaze stays on Ashley. Only she isn't looking at her face.

Swallowing, Ethan feels like he's about to be crushed by the awkwardness.