My tongue darted out to wet my chapped lips. “I wanted you to know that we were in close physical contact after what I told you last night. Having open communication is important to me.”
“That seems like high school drama and I honestly don’t give a fuck. How many times do I have to tell you that?” he snapped.
“Sorry to waste your time then,” I remarked before he abruptly ended the call.
I glared at my phone and slammed it down. Frustration with him made tears trickle down my cheeks. I laid my head down on my desk. If the roles were reversed, I knew I would care. His lack of a reaction was concerning and I hated it. Something had to change. I longed for the man I got to know a year ago. The one before this stupid ring was on my finger. Maybe then I would stand a fighting chance against these feelings for Asher.
I packed stacks of to-be-graded papers into my tote before Asher and I walked to his truck.
“Would you like to get something to eat?” he asked as he pulled out of the school parking lot.
My stomach answered for me, as it growled loudly after he asked the question. “I guess I am pretty hungry,” I said, sheepishly.
He hummed and tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. “What about the coffee shop in town? They have great sandwiches.”
“That sounds fantastic. I love their bagel sandwiches.” I grinned.
“I remember that.” He smiled back. “You always got the same sandwich whenever Luca and I would take you after school.”
“Damn right. Some things never change!” My stomach growled at the thought of it.
“Though, others change drastically.” He shook his head as he pulled into a parking spot close to the door.
The coffee shop was a quaint little place. It was a chestnut brown, wooden cabin and had real wood floors and walls. It usually had a rich coffee scent. It was the only coffee shop in Violet Ridge. It was literally named The Coffee Shop. A mom and pop shop that came in when I was in middle school and it’s been booming ever since. They had every type of coffee imaginable and they served bagel sandwiches. Meat and cheese in between a bagel sounded crazy at first but I fell in love with it at first taste.
We stepped into the shop and the smell of coffee overtook my senses.
“Why don’t you tell me what you want and then go find us a booth?” His hand brushed against mine and I pulled it behind my back slightly.
“I’ll take a turkey and swiss bagel with a vanilla latte,” I mumbled before I took an empty booth near a window.
I sucked in another shaky breath and cursed myself. I was engaged to Preston but it didn’t feel like it. I needed to talk to Preston again but I knew he would blow me off like usual. I squeezed my eyes shut and pushed away the guilt. I wasn’t doing anything wrong. I was having dinner with a friend.
Asher strolled over with a tray filled with two sandwiches and our coffee. He placed it on the table and grinned, handing me my food.
I took it from him, and our fingers touched. It sent a shock of electricity through me and I dropped the sandwich on the table. I grabbed it and shook my head. “Sorry, clumsy me.” I giggled.
He arched an eyebrow. “You’ve never been clumsy.”
I unwrapped the sandwich and looked into his hypnotizing hazel eyes. “Things change.”
He took a bite of his sandwich and shrugged. “Some things don’t.”
We ate in silence, while we snuck glances at each other. As soon as I’d look away, he’d look at me and vice versa. It was silly, but I couldn’t help it. There was something about him that felt like home. And now was the perfect time to seek closure.
I sat my mostly-eaten bagel sandwich down and wiped my mouth with a napkin. “I want to talk.”
He shoved the rest of his sandwich in his mouth and chewed it up before nodding. “About that night?”
I squared my shoulders. “It’s important.”
“Of course it’s important. I’ve been trying to get you to talk to me about it since that first day I saw you again.” His fingers drummed on the table.
I glanced down. “I know. I’m sorry, but I’m ready now.”
His drumming ceased and he stilled. I peered up at him and he was staring over at the door with his mouth twisted to the side.
I glanced behind me to see Preston and a blonde woman with her arm looped through his. She had on a tight black dress with little black heels. Her hair was done up in a tight bun and she had bright red lipstick painted on. Preston had a huge smile on his face as he stared at her. The smile he used to have when he looked at me.
I sucked in a sharp breath and turned around in my seat to face Asher.
His jaw was tense and his gaze was unmoving from my fiance.
“It’s probably his client or something,” I murmured, even though I couldn’t believe my own words.
“Bullshit. You don’t look at a work buddy like that.” He stood up. “I’m going to go say hi. Would you like to join?”
“Asher, sit down,” I hissed. “Let’s just finish our food and leave.” My heart was beating fast and I could hear the thumping in my head.
He grabbed my hand and pulled me to my feet. “Faith, that’s wrong. In so many ways. Did he even tell you he was going out with a client tonight?”
I shook my head. “No, but—”
“But nothing. Let’s go meet Blondie,” he said.
I let go of his hand and nodded. He was going over there with or without me. We approached them and Asher was the first to speak.
“Hey man, fancy seeing you here!”
Preston’s eyes widened with panic but he composed himself so quickly I may
