I thought I had shielded my heart from Asher, but as soon as I saw him, the walls I’d carefully built started crumbling down.
I blinked away the tears that welled up in my eyes and reached for my phone that was buried in my purse. I unlocked my phone and dialed Magnolia.
It rang twice before she answered, “Hello?”
“Mags.” A sob escaped my lips. “Oh my God, Mags.” My lip trembled, and I collapsed into my office chair.
“What’s wrong?”
“Asher,” a low whine escaped my throat.
She was silent for a few moments. “It’s been years since I’ve heard that name come out of your mouth. What about him?”
“He’s here.” I sniffled. “He’s our new gym teacher. I don’t know what to do. After butchering his words a couple of times, he said I looked good, and that it was good to see me.”
“You’re kidding me! After all this time, that’s all he could say?” Her angry voice bounded through the receiver.
“I know! I didn’t even know he was a fucking teacher.” I slapped my forehead.
“I’m sorry, Faith. I would’ve told you, but you said you didn’t want to hear his name again.”
I sighed. “No, that’s okay. I probably would’ve murdered you for mentioning him. It’s just a shock is all.”
“Well, no fucking shit! You haven’t seen the man in person since that party. Are you okay, babe?”
I dabbed my eyes. “I’ll be fine. Asher isn’t my problem anymore. Preston is. I just have to remember that.”
She snorted. “Right, Mr. Perfect. I don’t know what you see in that pig. I mean, he treats you like shit! Always ditching you for his clients. Are you really going to marry him?”
I hesitated and glanced at the stack of ungraded essays to my right. “I think I am.”
“And Asher will not have any sway in that decision?” she asked.
“Of course not. What we had was one night. That was it.”
“Yeah. Keep telling yourself that, Faith.”
“Very encouraging, Mags.” I rolled my eyes. “I need support. Not you dissing my fiance.”
“Honey, I love you. I just don’t want you to make a huge mistake. Besides, I still think you should’ve reached out to him or something.”
“And say what? Asher, you fucked me and then left. Why did you do that?”
“Yes, actually. I think that would give you closure.”
I groaned. “Alright. Well, it looks like I may get that closure now.” I looked at my watch. “Anyway, I have to go pick up my class.”
“It’s going to be okay. I promise. Just stay strong. And dump your troll of a fiance!” she hollered before making a kissing sound and hanging up.
I slid my phone into my dress pocket and left the classroom. I didn’t understand why she couldn’t get along with Preston. She said he made her feel uncomfortable, but wouldn’t elaborate. I started watching him around her, but nothing out of the ordinary ever happened.
As I neared the gym doors, my stomach heaved. I shoved the nerves to the back of my mind once I pulled the doors open and stepped inside.
“Ms. Reed!” My class cheered as they lined up by the doors.
“Were you guys good for Mr. Wells?” I asked, with a wavering voice.
“Yes!”
“He’s the best gym teacher ever!”
“We played dodgeball!”
I smiled at the students. “That’s good.” I avoided looking at him as I went to walk my students out of the gym.
“Ms. Reed,” he said, as he placed a hand on my shoulder. The warmth of his touch spread through my body. I hadn’t realized he had gotten so close to me.
“Were they good for you?” I asked, avoiding the longing in his gaze.
“Yes, they were. They clearly have a good teacher.” He let his hand drop, and I hated that I ached for his touch.
“Well, their teacher needs to get them back in time for reading.” I cleared my throat.
“Faith. Look at me,” he said as his voice dropped to a whisper.
I swallowed hard before I met his gaze. As soon as we made eye contact, memories of being in his arms with him inside of me rushed back. The contact we made that night was special, and it only fueled my feelings for him. Staring back into his eyes seven years later did the same damn thing to me.
“Not here, Asher. Please,” I whispered.
His lips twitched into a frown. “Okay. Not now. But we need to talk.”
“Seven years too late,” I muttered, ignoring his flinch. I retreated out of the gym, with my class in tow.
Once we made it back to the classroom, my students asked me about Asher. They told me how he explained to them that he knew me and that he thought I was cool.
I shut down that conversation immediately and launched into reading.
When I dropped them off at the cafeteria for lunch, I went to the library to eat my food in peace. Of course, that didn’t last long since Linda sniffed me out like a bloodhound. Much to my dismay, Asher trailed in behind her.
“There you are! I told him you’d be in here, hiding out like a hermit.” She grinned and took a seat across from me. She patted the seat next to her, which Asher ignored as he sat down beside me.
Linda’s eyes narrowed at me before she turned her attention to Asher. “So, Asher, how do you like Violet Ridge Elementary?”
“It’s good. So far, everyone has been welcoming. The students are full of energy so I can’t complain.” He took a bite of his chicken sandwich.
“Oh, yes. We are very welcoming. As a matter of fact, I can be very welcoming.” She pressed her chest against the table as she leaned forward.
He cleared his throat, shifting his gaze toward me. “That’s nice. Uh, what do you do, Faith?”
I stabbed my salad. “I teach fourth-grade reading and writing.”
“Ms. Reed teaches reading. That’s cute.” He chuckled.
“How’s your fiance, Faith?” Linda asked, batting her eyelashes at me. I froze, and my blood ran cold when she mentioned Preston.
Asher’s expression turned blank and his
