Ash accepted the kiss on the cheek and slid his arm through hers, looping it in a way for him to take the lead and guide them toward the staircase, "Summer treated me very well. A lot of traveling. A lot of sun. A lot of entertainment. But looking at you, I'm reminded as to why I came back at all." And boy was he. Sera's slim build in that green dress had a lot of thoughts in his head. Like wondering what she wore underneath if she wore anything at all. He knew that he would find out soon enough, but for now it was good to just chat and let his imagination do the undressing.
"So what have you been up to all summer? How go the plans for your party?" he asked, willing to help hire someone if she needed, but Ash knew it wouldn't be needed. Sera was a very capable woman and it was one of her finer qualities. She held her own well and that was pretty damn sexy to him. If a girl had a body and face like Sera's and acted like a timid mouse, it was adorable in a way, but Ash found himself drawn to the fiercer women. Ones that thought for themselves.
As they walked up the stairs, his hand moved from holding her arm to resting on the small of her back, his eyes remaining on her and listening to what she said. Sera was a friend in various meanings of the word, so he actually gave a damn about what she had to say instead of blowing it off.