“No!” His voice rises, frustration laced in the single word.
I stand, turning to face him just as Seb steps in.
“What’s going on?” Seb’s sharp gaze moves between us. “Ash, you okay?” Confusion mars his features when he recognizes Ben. “Isn’t this your boss?”
“He was just leaving,” I say firmly.
“I’m not going anywhere. Not until you hear me out.”
“I’m not doing this here, Ben,” I tell him. “You should go home to your daughter.”
Seb moves around the bar, stepping between us. “Look, I don’t know what’s going on, but it’s clear Ash doesn’t want to talk to you. You need to go.”
Ben’s eyes plead with mine. “Please, Ashlyn.”
I feel Taylor squeeze my hand gently as the bar falls quiet around us. People are starting to stare.
“Okay, time to go,” Seb says, grabbing Ben’s arm, but Ben shakes him off.
“No! Wait!” His voice is desperate now. “I haven’t spoken to my wife in six years.”
My brows shoot up. “What? Why?”
Seb hesitates, taking a step back while Ben lowers his head, his voice quieter now. “Can we talk? Just the two of us?”
I glance at Taylor, who gives me a soft, understanding smile. “Maybe you should hear him out,” she whispers. “You can use my apartment.”
I hesitate. I don’t trust him. I don’t want to be lied to again, but if I don’t hear him out, I know I’ll regret it later.
With a sigh, I turn back to face him. “Okay,” I say, exhaling. “Taylor said we can talk in her apartment. It’s just upstairs.”
Seb’s frown deepens. “Ash, are you sure about this?”
I nod, taking Taylor’s keys from her outstretched hand. He doesn’t look convinced, but thankfully, he doesn’t push it. Taylor gently tugs on his arm, leading him away.
As I turn back to Ben, nerves twist in my stomach. I’m still wary, still bracing myself, but deep down, a small, foolish part of me clings to the hope that whatever he says next will somehow make everything okay again.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Ben
Ican feel Seb’s gaze on me as I follow Ashlyn through Eden. I don’t blame him. He’s just looking out for her, but nothing was going to stop me from talking to her tonight. I’ve spent the past few days trying to get her to hear me out, but she’s not in work and not taking my calls. Now that she’s finally giving me the chance to explain, relief and dread twist together in my chest. I don’t know if my words will make a difference, if she’ll ever be able to forgive me. This is the first time I’ve put myself out there in six years, but I handled everything so badly. I just hope I haven’t ruined it beyond repair.
“It’s just through here,” Ash says, gesturing toward a door leading into a staff-only area.
I wait as she swipes a fob against the security lock then follow her into the dimly lit corridor and up a narrow staircase. When we reach the apartment, she pushes open the door and steps inside.
She crosses the room and sinks onto a dark gray sofa, her hands fidgeting with the strap of her purse in her lap. I take a steadying breath, close the door behind me, and walk over to sit beside her.
She exhales sharply. “Say whatever it is you have to say, Ben.”
There’s exhaustion in her voice and a weariness that stings more than anger would have. I hate that I’m the reason for it. I should have been honest from the start; from the moment I realized how deeply I felt for her.
“Look at me, Ash,” I say quietly.
She hesitates then slowly lifts her gaze to mine. My stomach twists. I need her to understand. I don’t want this to be the end. What’s between us is real, and I think she feels it too.
“Ben…,” she starts, but I speak before she can shut me down.
