by’s POV
let out a huge sigh as I walked through the doors. Every day at work was exhausting. It was hard to believe that once, used to love working I was er because of Taylor; she had this energy that sucked the life out of a place – or a person. Thad turned a blind eye to it und we broke apart.
I was so deep in thought that I didn’t notice someone was in the dining area unit heard voices Intraced my steps and peared in, my brows forrowing asisted at them.
It took them a while to notice me. They were so engrossed in their conversation that I was visibly fuming, arms folded across my chest, until Asher spared me a glance.
Another time, I would have loved how his eyes lit up when he saw me, but not today. Not today, when he was af dinner chatting |
That was her name. The same girl whose pictures had been plastered all over his snap
“I didn’t see you come in, love…
I bit the inner corner of my mouth, trying not to focus on the fact that he’d just called me love, and in front of her, it shouldn’t feel this good, but it did i groaned internally, hating the dumb, naive girl I became whenever I was around him,
He rose to his feet. “I didn’t hear you come in,” he said, walking toward me. “How was work today?”
Memories from the day came rushing in. Taylor had baited me all day, making it impossible for me to avoid her. She kept barging into my spaca, trying to provoke me, but I wasn’t having it. I gave her nothing, and I loved how angry it made her
I glanced at Asher’s handsome face as he smiled down at me. I would have loved to rant, to tell him all about my day and how exhausting it was, then melt into the warmth of his arms. I’d do anything to feel his embrace, but he was having dinner with her.
“Fine,led smoothly. “Work was fine.”
“Hello, Ivy,” Kat greeted me, flashing the warmest smile ever. Oh, she was beautiful. I couldn’t pick her apart. The moment he’d posted her pictures. I had gone digging. She was a dancer at a club–Luca’s club. Luca, Asher’s friend. It hadn’t been hard to put two and two together: they were an item, or at
least they had been.
I stared at her perfect, smiling face. She was really beautiful. Perfect for him
I forced a smile. “I guess Asher already did introductions…
I hated all the thoughts I was having right now–all because of Asher, I was picking her apart, searching for flaws, anything to make myself feel a little
better
She grinned and glanced at him. “Well, Asher here won’t stop talking about his wife.
For a moment, the thought was sweet. But it was also hard to believe. Was she trying to be polite? Otherwise, why would she say that?
“Did I, really?” Asher asked, amusement glinting in his eyes
She nodded. “Yes, yes, you did.” She took a sip from the glass in her hand.
It was awkward watching the two of them interact like that. The long stares, the unnecessary giggling. It was painful to stand there and watch.
When the server arrived at the table with dinney, you’d expect I’d say goodnight and leave. Instead, I pulled out a chair. “You don’t mind if I join you guys, do you?”
My cheeks flushed with embarrassment the moment the words left my mouth. I hadn’t given it any thought. I couldn’t seem to think when Asher was
around
1/2
Chapter 59
Asher furrowed his brows. I could have sworn I saw a hint of a smirk on his lips, but it disappeared instantly.
“Are you sure, Ivy?” He gave me a long stare. “You just got back from work. You’re…
“I’m fine.”
It was pathetic to admit, but i couldn’t bear the thought of him with another woman. And although Thad given him the go–ahead, I couldn’t let it happen.
“If my husband has a guest, then I’d really li
like to entertain them. What kind of host would be if I walked away?”
Asher flashed me a wide smile. “Thank you very much, Ivy. You’re such a delight.”
I saw the looks they exchanged, and it made my heart ache. It didn’t help that I was sitting farther from Asher than she was.
I was chanting in my head to get up and leave. I wasn’t supposed to have any feelings -I told myself this was only a contract marriage. He owed me nothing, and yet, I was unable to move.
AD
