“Babe, I have to work. Can’t we talk later?” He turned away and started to sift through clothes.
I scoffed. “No, Preston. We need to talk now. Besides, I’m cooking lasagna. It’s your favorite. You need to tell me when you won’t be home so I don’t cook for you.”
“Shit, we aren’t even married yet and you’re nagging me.”
“Nagging you?” My mouth fell open. “I just need one measly conversation with my fiance.”
“Make it quick. I need to go.” He finished putting on a grey suit.
He was putting on his tie in the mirror when I placed a hand on his shoulder. His stare pierced me and he smirked. “Baby, I’d love to indulge in you but I can’t.”
I shook my head. “That’s not what I want. I want you to sit down and listen to me.”
His eyes shifted from me to the bed. He grabbed my hand and walked over to the edge of the bed to sit. “I only have like five minutes. What’s going on?”
I took a deep breath and then launched into explaining mine and Asher’s past. His eyes bore into mine and he waited until I was finished before he made a comment.
“So, you still have feelings for him because he was your first?” He held my hand tighter.
I bit my bottom lip and shook my head. “I don’t know, but I feel terrible. I’m engaged to you but I still think about him. I’m so sorry.”
He was quiet for a minute, mulling over what I had told him. He hesitated before pulling me into his chest. His cologne was strong and made me choke up a bit. There was a hint of something else, but I couldn’t be bothered to investigate it.
“You’re a good fiance. Thank you for telling me. Just keep your distance from him, okay? Carpooling to work is fine but don’t keep conversations going or show him that you’d be interested,” he whispered into my ear. His lips brushed against my cheek, sending a wave of nausea over me.
I nodded, bottling up the disgust I felt from his touch. He was my fiance. I shouldn’t have that reaction to him and yet his touch had been repelling me the moment he began treating me differently. I had to fix this, somehow. “Thanks for listening.”
He let go of me and cupped my face in his hands. “This can’t be a regular thing. Work comes first, you should know that.”
His words were like a slap to the face and I retracted from him. “I never thought you’d say something like that to me.”
He slapped his thighs before standing up. “I just need you to know where we stand. We may be getting married but my work means everything to me. I love you, Faith. I do, but you’ve made me late for my meeting because of your past with that asshole.”
My mouth dropped. “He’s not an asshole. Are you hearing what’s coming out of your mouth right now?”
He chuckled. “Remember what I said, I have to go.” He walked out of the bedroom and I heard the jingle of his keys before the front door shut.
I ran my fingers through my hair. What the fuck was that? I was at a loss. He wasn’t anything like the person I said yes to. Asher was pissed at me whilst I was at school and Preston said he loved me but I felt the opposite of love from him. My body shook and I hiccuped.
Furious, I wiped away the tears, grabbed my phone and sent a text to Mags and Eve.
Me: Anyone want lasagna? I cooked a ton and I’m the only one here tonight.
Mags: Hells yeah! I love lasagna! I’m leaving the gym in like ten minutes and I’ll head over.
Eve: I actually have dinner plans! Mags’ cousin asked me out when I ran into him yesterday. You know, Gerald. Goofy guy, swoon-worthy attitude?
I grinned and my heart swelled for her.
Me: You go, Eve! I’m so proud of you!
Mags: Be careful, though. He can be… testy at times. Keep your guard up around him. He’s slimy. Finally, moving on from Flynn?
Eve: Don’t even say his name! Flynn was… hard to get over. First kiss, sexy bad boy, everything I had wanted in a partner?
Me: He just up and left town. No word. No matter how much you liked him, he proved not to be the one.
I frowned. Flynn was Evelyn’s first crush. She fell head over heels for him. They had their first kiss on the night of Luca’s party. Then dated all through senior year. Eve wanted to wait until marriage to have sex and he respected the hell out of her. But as soon as we graduated, Flynn left. Not even a word to Eve. She was heartbroken for months, years even. She hadn’t even dated since him. I hoped Gerald would treat her well on their date.
Mags: Faith’s right. But, just watch out for Gerald. Please, listen to me.
Mags: Other than that, have a great time!
I nibbled on my bottom lip. Why was Mags warning Eve about him?
Me: Mags, see you soon! Eve, have an awesome date!
I put my phone in my pocket and went to the living room to find something to watch. About half an hour later, Mags arrived and the lasagna was done. We had our plates of lasagna and soda on the dining room table.
“Thanks for coming tonight,” I told her before taking a bite of lasagna.
She scarfed down her plate. “I love your cooking. Preston doesn’t know what he’s missing.”
“He’s just different. Like, he told me how work comes first today after I poured my heart out to him about Asher.” I took a drink of my soda.
Her eyes bugged out. “What! You told your fiance that you have feelings for another man?”
I stuffed another forkful in my mouth and nodded.
“Explain!” She motioned.
I swallowed the food and sighed. “I felt so guilty. I have these feelings for
