Chapter 22 #2
I laugh heartily. The crazier part is, he doesn't sound remotely apologetic. I try to stay annoyed. I really do, but then I picture him shopping for the dress and planning this.
And just like that, my resistance weakens. Asher notices immediately. The smug look on his face says so.
“So will you be my plus one?”
I sigh. “I guess I can manage to squeeze you into the schedule.”
Asher kisses me chastely on the lips before pulling back and caressing my face. I look at him. Like, really look at him. At the man who has somehow become the center of my world without my permission.
Just a few more days.
Even the promise is gradually becoming a lie, and I fear I might not be able to fulfill it. Then one day, I’ll get hurt again, like I did in the past.
By the time we arrive at the venue for Maya and Alex’s wedding, the place looks like something out of a fairytale.
White flowers cover nearly every available surface. Golden lights hang from the ceiling, while soft music drifts through the air.
I notice Eleni Vale beside Maya right away. I stare at the two best friends, wondering how they both managed to make two impossibly cold-hearted billionaires fall for them.
Lucien Vale is in the front seat with a little girl, who I’m guessing is their daughter. There’s little to no news about the young heiress on the internet. However, anyone can tell Lucien is a man in love as he watches his wife.
Even Alexander Pierce looks like he’s found a gem in Maya. Yet, Alex and Asher are best friends. Where was Asher when Alex was getting all the romantic genes?
Being here, I find myself nearly believing in a fairytale ending, but I push the thoughts out of my mind.
I glance at Asher, who’s beside Alex, in his best man position. Asher notices me looking and smiles warmly. The action fills me with warmth.
The wedding ceremony itself is beautiful. Maya spends most of it crying, and Alexander looks completely helpless every time she starts.
By the time they're officially married, half the guests are emotional. Even Asher looks suspiciously invested.
Later, during the reception, Asher finds me and keeps me glued to his side as he whisks me off to introduce me to his friends. People keep stopping to talk to us. Or rather, to Asher.
I expect the usual awkward introductions. Instead, Asher casually places a hand against my lower back. Then says something that nearly makes me choke on my juice.
“This is my girlfriend, Roxanne.”
My girlfriend.
The words hit me so hard I almost missed the rest of the conversation. Several people say hello, and most congratulate us.
Maya practically squeals and eagerly introduces me to Eleni, claiming we have to be best of friends.
I barely hear any of it. All I can think about is the fact that Asher is parading me as his girlfriend like it's the most natural thing in the world. It’s currently causing a small crisis inside my head.
Eventually, we escape. The reception is still going strong when I find him standing alone on a balcony overlooking the gardens.
Moonlight catches against the dark fabric of his suit. The sight alone makes my stomach flutter.
Honestly, it's embarrassing at this point.
I step beside him. “When exactly did I become your girlfriend?”
Asher glances over, a faint smile on his lips. He pulls me flush against him.
“Is that why you’ve been glaring holes through the side of my head all evening?”
“I wasn't glaring.”
He laughs softly, which deepens my frown. Asher deeps his head in the crook of my neck, nestling there like it’s his home.
“Asher.”
“I was about to ask you,” he says softly.
He turns me around in his arms. The look I see in his eyes makes my heart jump erratically.
“What?”
Instead of answering, he reaches inside his pocket. When his hand reappears, he's holding a single red rose.
I swallow a gasp when I notice his nervousness. It’s pretty unusual for Asher Sterling to be nervous.
He holds the flower out. “Roxanne Sinclair.”
My pulse starts racing.
“Will you be my girlfriend?”
Everything inside me stops. The answer is yes. Of course, it's yes. I've been saying yes to this man in my heart for years.
The only problem is that loving him has become dangerous. Every day I stay, I fall deeper. And I don't know if he loves me.
I know he cares and that’s he’s changed, but love is also important. Without that, can a relationship really stand the test of time?
Even Tristan, who faked loving me, betrayed me that way. I can’t imagine what it’d be like with a man who doesn’t even believe in love as a whole.
I don't think I can survive giving him everything if he doesn't feel the same.
My eyes sting unexpectedly. “Asher, I…”
My voice trails off, and I watch as the nervousness in his eyes switches to fear.
I hate myself for what comes next.
“Can you give me a little time?”
The words hurt to say, but I don’t trust myself or Asher enough to just blindly say yes.
A brief flash of hurt crosses his eyes, but it vanishes before I can dwell on it. His shoulders stiffen, but then he smiles calmly.
“Of course.”
Guilt crashes into me. “Asher?—”
“You don't have to explain,” he says even more gently as he slides the rose behind my ear. He caresses my face softly. “I’ll wait.”
His reaction somehow makes it worse. I touch his much bigger hand on my face, enjoying his warmth.
“I just need a little time,” I whisper.
“You can have all the time you need.”
The kindness in his voice nearly breaks my heart. I want to say yes, but all I can think about is how much it will hurt if he never loves me back.