She sobbed into her knees. I don’t think she noticed me until I sat down beside her.
“Get the fuck away from—” She glanced at me and her words stopped. “Asher?” She blinked owlishly.
I reached out and pulled her to my chest. “Did he hurt you?”
She shook her head and wrapped her arms around me. “No, not physically anyway.”
“He’s a fucking piece of work.” I huffed.
“I know.” She pulled back and looked at me with tears in her blue eyes. “I’m sorry you’re seeing me like this.”
“You’re beautiful. You’re smart. You’re caring. You’re perfect, Faith.” I tucked a piece of that wild brown hair behind her ear. “I’ll take seeing you any way I can.”
She parted her lips and stared back at me. At that moment, I knew she wanted me as much as I wanted her. My hand cupped her cheek, wet with tears and I leaned forward.
My lips were mere centimeters away from hers when I pulled back. Her eyes were closed and her lips were pouted. She was more than ready to kiss me and that alone felt so good.
“You’re vulnerable right now. It wouldn't be right for me to take advantage of the situation.” I sunk back on the couch and ran my hand down my face.
She opened her eyes and nodded, tears falling again.
I reached out and pulled her close. I closed my eyes as I kissed her forehead. “You’re still engaged. I have to go. If I don’t, I’m going to do something I know you’d regret.”
“I’d never regret you,” she whispered.
Walking out of that house and away from her that night just about killed me. I wanted nothing more than to turn around and take Faith into my arms and show her exactly what she was missing.
My heart was heavy that Friday. Rosie’s situation had been plaguing my thoughts. My feelings for Asher were growing by the second, and I was engaged to a man I no longer loved. I was in a rut and couldn’t fathom how to get out of it.
After I dropped my kids at lunch, I caught Asher before he left the gymnasium.
He gave me a lopsided grin and a side-hug. “How’re you feeling? Are you done ignoring me?”
My face was hot and I tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. “I’m not doing the best.” I paused. “And I wasn’t ignoring you.”
He snorted. “Sure you haven’t been. Wanna talk about it?”
I nodded my head and he ushered me into his office.
He shut the door and I stood in front of his desk. “There’s so much going on right now. I don’t know what to do or how to fix anything.”
He strode over to me and cupped my face in his hands. On a reflex, I leaned into his warmth.
“It’s going to work out. I know there’s a lot happening with Rosie. But we are doing everything we can.” His thumb caressed my cheek.
“I know.” I placed my hands over his. “But that’s not the only thing bothering me.”
His gaze shifted toward my lips, just like they did a few nights ago. I almost kissed him then, and I felt disgusted with myself. I was still engaged, and I couldn’t cheat on Preston. I wouldn’t be that person.
“I know you still have feelings for me,” he whispered. His hazel eyes held a depth I hadn’t seen in years.
“N-No, Asher, I—” My words were cut short as he moved one hand and grabbed my lower back, as he pressed me into him. A low whine escaped my throat at the contact.
“How can you deny how I make you feel?” His breath was quick and his words pierced me.
I squeezed my eyes shut before I ripped myself away completely. “I can’t do this, not now.” I rushed out of the room without glancing back at him. The walk to my classroom was a blur.
I sat at my desk and sent a group text to Mags and Eve as tears ran down my face.
Me: I almost kissed Asher. Twice this week. I’m so conflicted. I know that I don’t love Preston.
Eve: End your engagement and be with Asher?
Mags: Eve has a point. You’ve been in love with Asher forever and Preston’s a total dick. You said it yourself just now. You don’t love him. End it.
I wiped the tears and ran a hand through my hair. They were right. I sifted through my memories, and my feelings for Preston were only ever surface level. He never let me deep enough into his heart for me to give all my heart to him. A light bulb turned on as I realized I was only still with Preston because of my father. He approved of him, and I had been the one to say yes. I realized that I said yes to him a few months ago, but my answer had changed. I didn’t want to get married to Preston anymore.
Me: You’re right. I know what I have to do. But how do I tell Preston? How do I end this engagement? My dad is going to disown me completely.
Mags: Fuck your dad. He doesn’t get to control your love life. Babe, you’re twenty-four.
Me: I’ll go over to Luca’s tonight and have him go with me. I can’t do it alone.
Eve: You should bring Mags with you. I know she’s just dying to see Luca.
Mags: You bitch, I don’t know what you’re talking about.
I rolled my eyes and sat the phone down to go get the kids from lunch. The day dragged by and my mind stayed jumbled. My students called me out on my air-headedness a few times during our read aloud.
When the school day finally ended, I told Asher to drop me off at Luca’s. Surprisingly, he wasn’t as nosy as I’d thought he’d be. When we pulled up to his apartment, Asher came to the door with me.
I gave him a look and he shrugged. “I haven’t seen Luca
