She shook her head and shot me a glare. “That’s not normal at all.”
I tilted my head. “What do you mean by not normal?”
She slumped her shoulders. “Faith. He wasn’t concerned or jealous and then flipped it into a work thing? That’s not…right. Something is up with him. I don’t like it.”
“You don’t like him,” I retorted.
She shook her head. “No, I don’t but that’s not it. I just have a feeling something is up with him.”
I shrugged, and took another bite. “Maybe there is. He’ll tell me when he’s ready. I think… Let’s just change the topic here.”
“Okay, fine. He’s still an ass.” She took her last bite and got up. I heard the water turn on.
I finished up my plate before I joined her in the kitchen. She turned to me and winced. “Listen, I’m just going to come out and say it.”
I groaned and placed my plate in the sink, not caring that I didn’t rinse it off. “Oh no. What’s this about?”
“I think Asher is a good person. I do, but he was a total douche for leaving you the morning after he took your virginity. You need to talk to him about it. Ignoring the elephant in the room…is just not healthy.”
“Yes. He was.”
My phone buzzed and I pulled it out. It was Asher. I showed the message to Mags.
Asher: I’m sorry for the way I acted today. I know that you can’t just up and leave Preston. I am having a hard time respecting your relationship. That’s not fair to you.
“Damn right.” She nodded, as she read it. “He seems to care a hell of a lot about you. But, what he did back then, it was inexcusable.”
“I’m not sure if I can talk to him about that night. It’ll just bring up more feelings.” I leaned against the counter. I couldn’t help but feel elated that he apologized.
“It’s your choice. But I know that I would want closure. It’s been seven years, babe. You deserve that much.” She patted my shoulder.
Maybe I did need to talk to Asher about our past. I deserved closure, and I was now hellbent on getting it.
The kids put on their top-dollar begging faces. “Please, Ms. Reed!”
I raised my hands in defeat. “Okay, fine.”
Asher smirked. He waved me over. “I appreciate you agreeing to help me with the demonstration.”
He stood in his gray socks, gym shorts, and t-shirt on a few blue mats that were taped together on the gym floor. They were learning self-defense today and of course, Asher asked me to help demonstrate in front of my class. I’d be lying if I said he didn’t look fucking charming.
I nibbled my bottom lip as I kicked off my heels and walked over to the mat in my dress pants and blouse that was safely tucked in. “My students are my weakness.”
The kids cheered as I stepped closer to him. His hand rested on my shoulder and he began to explain what we would be demonstrating to the kids. His voice was commanding, and it put me under a spell.
“So, I’ll be the bad guy. My goal is to make it to where Ms. Reed can’t move. I’ll try to pin her down. Her goal is to get away from me or make sure I can’t pin her down.” He cleared his throat, ripping his gaze away from me and scanning the class. “This is what you and your partner will be doing so please, pay attention.”
My breath hitched as his arms wrapped around my waist. “Are you okay with this?” he asked softly in my ear. I nodded in response. “You see, when someone grabs you from behind, they want to carry you away, so when you are lifted up, you need to throw your head back into them and scream. Go ahead, Ms. Reed.”
He lifted me up and my head flew back into his chest as hard as I could muster and I let out a piercing scream. His hold faltered and I was able to twist out of his clutch. My nose brushed against his as I twisted, and I swore there was electricity fizzing in the air as we gazed into each other’s eyes.
The class clapped. “Great job. Do you see how she was able to twist out of my hold? That’s the goal here. Go ahead and pair up and try this move. But remember, we don’t want to hurt our partner. Be aware of that.”
Heat rose up my neck as my thoughts drifted to how immeasurable it was to be in his arms.
Asher supplied a cheeky grin. “Thanks for helping me with that. It’s easier to demonstrate with another adult than have a student volunteer.”
I blew out a slow stream of held breath before I pressed my lips into a flat line. “I’m glad I was helpful.”
He hesitated, cracking his neck. “You were more than helpful.”
“I should go.” My feet were walking me out of the gym in a haste before I knew it. My guilty conscience was eating me alive. I was engaged. I had to stop thinking about Asher.
Once I was back in the safety of my classroom, I picked up the phone and called Preston.
“Hello?” His voice was gruff as he answered.
“How’s your day going?” My voice cracked. I hated the way it felt when I spoke to him—like I had to walk on eggshells.
“Is that really why you called?”
“No, but I was still wondering how you were doing today. You didn’t come home last night.”
He groaned. “I was at work.”
All night?
“Um, anyway, I wanted to let you know that I had to help out with a self-defense lesson with Asher today.” The tension left my body. It was a relief telling him what happened.
He
