Her smile faltered. “That actually sucks. I’m sorry to hear that. But it’s not fair how you got Asher just like that. You move fast.”
I tossed my hair over my shoulder. “It’s always been Asher for me.”
She muttered something incoherent as she pivoted and stomped out of the room. The door slammed shut behind her.
I rubbed my palm on my forehead before I reached over to grab my phone and dial Mags.
“Hey, you’ve been quiet lately. Everything okay?” she asked.
“I’m sorry. Yeah, everything is fine. I needed some time away from everything. My tests came back all negative, so I’m grateful for that. But wanted to let you know that I slept with Asher last night.”
Her high-pitch squeal came through the receiver. “No fucking way, babe! That’s awesome. So, are you guys officially together now?”
I grinned. “Yes, we are. I’m thrilled, you know? My coworker, Linda, is all pissy about it though.”
“Fuck that bitch! I’m so pumped for you! You text that in the group chat, so Eve knows!”
“I will after work.” I glanced at my watch. “I gotta go. Talk to you later!”
“Bye!” I hung up and hurried to music to pick up the kids.
Magnolia’s light blonde hair sat in a bun with strands sticking out every which way, and her green eyes lit up as she sipped her iced coffee. She sat across the table from Asher and me at The Coffee Shop.
“His name is Kenneth, and he’s adorable—”
Asher cut her off, “I doubt any man would want to be called adorable.”
She stuck her tongue out at him. “I met him on a dating app, but I’m not sure about it. He was super awkward on the date last night.”
He grunted. “If you’re not vibing with him, drop him.”
I whacked his arm. “Maybe he’s just shy or something. If you really think there could be something, one more date should give you that clarity.”
“That’s the plan. I’m having dinner with him again tonight.” She took another sip of her coffee. “I wish Eve would’ve come with us. I wanted to tell her about him.”
I shrugged. “She and Gerald are always doing something.”
She snorted as the door to the cafe dinged. “You’d think since I’m his cousin I’d see them more, but nope. I never see them.” Her eyes widened. “Shit.”
“What?” I asked, but she just shook her head.
Asher and I turned around simultaneously to see Preston walk in with a redheaded client. She wore a tight dress with a low plunging neckline. I wasn’t impressed.
His manipulative brown eyes met mine briefly before I turned back around in our booth. “Oh.”
Of course he’d fucking be here. I knew I’d probably run into him in town or at the market, but I really hoped it wouldn’t be this soon.
“He’s heading this way,” she whispered.
Asher slung his arm around my shoulders and pulled me against his side.
“Your dad hired a moving team, so I didn’t have a chance to talk to you,” Preston said, standing in front of our table.
“I wonder why that is?” I shot him a glare.
He gave a slight, close-lipped smile. “I didn’t have time to apologize for what you walked in on.”
Asher glowered at him. “Are you fucking that redhead too?”
Preston’s eyes shifted to me as he ignored Asher. “I fucked up.”
I shook my head. “How many girls, Preston?”
He reached up and rubbed the nape of his neck. Purple hickeys littered the left side, barely visible under his collar. “It had started before I even met you, to be honest.”
“You were sleeping with other women while you were sleeping with me?”
“I told you earlier, this job came before you.”
His words were another jab in my stomach. Did that mean sleeping with other women was part of his job description or something? I recoiled, pressing my face slightly into Asher’s chest. Thank God I didn’t catch anything from him.
Mags slapped her hands on the table. The drinks sloshed as she did so. “Shove your apology up your ass and leave Faith the hell alone. She’s happier without some cheating bastard in her life.”
Asher’s hold on me tightened.
Preston’s eyes found mine again. “You’re probably happy to have found out since you wanted to leave me for that jackass, anyway.” He turned around and strode over to the woman he was with, bending down and kissing her cheek.
I palmed my forehead as I pulled away from Asher. He kissed my temple as Mags gave me a sympathetic smile.
“You okay, babe?” she asked.
I nodded.
“How about we head home?” Asher started gathering our empty coffee containers onto the tray.
I was all for getting the hell out of anywhere Preston was. It baffled me how I had been intimate with a jerk like him, but I reminded myself that it wasn’t my fault Preston sucked. He had me fooled since day one, but I was thankful I found out before I married him.
Asher took the tray to throw away, and Mags pulled me into a hug. “I’m going to head out. I have to meet Kenneth in twenty minutes.” She grabbed my shoulders to hold me out by arm's length. “If you need anything, call me and I’ll be there.”
I flashed her another smile. “Thanks, Mags. I mean it.”
She gave me a wink before she bounced out the door, shooting daggers toward Preston and the redhead who sat by the door. I pressed my mouth into my hand to contain the smile.
“What’s so amusing?” Asher asked, as he intertwined our hands and walked us out of the cafe. He used his body to shield me from Preston.
Once we were outside, I let out my laugh. “Mags. She’s like a guard dog. I love her.”
He led me to his truck. “She’s a great friend.”
“Yeah. I’m thankful for her friendship.”
He helped me up into his truck. “I’m thankful for you, Faith.” His hands lingered on my body as he