Page 24 of Asher

Soon.

Our messages felt off. Strained. I hated that.

Shuffling through my cabinets, I saw the ingredients to make vegetable stew. It wouldn’t hurt to make them some and just drop it off, right? I mean, I usually just dropped by unannounced anyway, so this really wouldn’t be any different. Grabbing everything I needed, I mixed it all together in a pot, warming it up. Canned wouldn’t be as good as fresh vegetables, but Phoenix wouldn’t care.

She loved anything I made for her.

After I had everything put together, I poured some in containers and left just enough for my dinner when I came home. Loading the soup and presents in the car, I made the quick drive across town. The hair on my arms stood as I spotted an unfamiliar blue car sitting on the street. My gut clenched as I pulled into the drive.

Maybe I should just turn around.

I shook my head and rolled my shoulders back. I drove all this way; I needed to drop off the presents. Taking a deep breath to settle my nerves, I stepped out of the car. Grabbing the two bags, I slowly walked up to the porch and pressed the doorbell. I rocked back on my heels, anxiety clawing along my skin.

The door swung open, and a pretty brunette stood just inside. Her sleekly straightened hair hung down in front her white v-neck t-shirt. She stuck her hands in the back pockets of her cute black shorts, which shoved her huge chest out even further. Brow furrowed, she tilted her head to the side, her golden eyes studying me. “Can I help you?”

“Um. I—” I fumbled with the words stuck in my throat as my heart began to crack. Who was she? Someone Asher was dating? My eyes shot to the ground, connecting with her bare feet.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuckity-Fuck.

Bare fucking feet.

She was clearly comfortable here. With them. I stumbled back a step when I heard his deep voice. “Stell. Who’s at the door?”

Stell? I’d never heard him mention a Stell before.

He walked up behind her, pulling his shirt down over his bare chest. She smirked and looked over her shoulder at him as he rested a hand on the door frame above her head. Asher’s eyes widened in surprise when they connected with mine.

His jaw popped open.

She smiled at him, eyes brightening. My stomach turned at the look of adoration. “I’m not sure. She didn’t say.” Stell’s voice sounded soft and sweet.

Damn.

“Haley?” Asher ignored her. “What are you doing here?” I flinched at the question because whatwasI doing here? I didn’t belong here. He asked me not to come, and I did anyway.

This was my fault.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come.” The words cracked.

The girl raised a brow, a grin tugging at her mouth as Ash stepped around her. “Stella, give me a minute?” He asked in a hushed tone.

“Sure.” She squeezed his arm and walked back into the house.

Fucking bare foot.

“Haley?” Asher said again, stepping onto the porch. I scrambled back, almost tripping over myself. Asher reached out to steady me. I flinched from the contact.

He frowned as I shook my head and slipped out of his grasp. “I, um.” Clearing my throat, I closed my eyes, trying to keep the threatening tears at bay. “You said that Nix was sick. I brought her favorite soup and her gifts. I wasn’t going to stay. I just wanted to help make her feel better.”

His eyes softened as a slow smile tugged at his lips. The same smile that usually made my knees week.

The smile I thought he always reserved for me.

I was an idiot.

I shoved the bag with the containers of soup in his direction. He fumbled with the it as I reached down, grabbed the second bag of presents, and shoved them in his arms as well.

“I need to go.” I spun quickly, running back to my car.