“Nash–”
He cuts me off, spinning to face me. “Does Ash know you’re here?”
I shake my head. “No. But she’s hurting. I want to fix things between you two.”
His eyes lock onto mine, hard and unyielding. “Then do the right thing. Walk away. Let her find someone her own age. Someone without a wife and a daughter only a few years younger than her.”
“That’s not going to happen,” I say firmly. “We need to find a way to move forward. Ash loves you–”
“And I love her!” he shouts, cutting me off again. “She’s my baby sister, for Christ’s sake. That’s exactly why I want the best for her. And the best isn’t you.”
His words sting, but I hold my ground. “I’m not perfect. I’m not pretending to be. But I love your sister. That has to count for something.”
He lets out a humorless laugh. “You might love her, but she sure as hell doesn’t love you. This is just some infatuation. I get it, older guy, good job, nice house probably, but that’s all it is.”
Anger churns inside me, but I force myself to stay calm. He wants a reaction, and I won’t give him one.
“You’re wrong, Nash. What Ash and I have is undeniable.”
Before Nash can fire back, Seb steps between us. “Alright, both of you, this is turning into a scene,” he says firmly. “Take it to my office.”
I arch a brow at Nash. “Fine by me.”
He exhales sharply, snatching up his beer. “Fine. Your office,” he mutters to Seb before stalking off.
I follow Nash into Seb’s office, shutting the door behind us. He drops onto a worn, brown leather sofa and takes another swig of his beer.
“Alright,” he says, locking eyes with me. “Talk. Let’s hear whatever it is you came to say.”
I swallow hard. I won’t pretend I’m not nervous. This conversation matters. I don’t expect him to change his mind in ten minutes, but I need him to understand that I care about Ash, and I’m not here to mess her around.
Crossing the room, I lean against Seb’s desk.
“I know I’m not who you would’ve chosen for your sister–”
He snorts. “Damn right you’re not.”
“But Ash chose me,” I continue, ignoring his interruption. “We’ve both felt this way for a while, and neither of us could deny it any longer.”
Nash lowers his gaze, sneering.
“I didn’t plan to fall in love with Ashlyn,” I say quietly.
He raises an eyebrow. “Maybe not, but you could do the decent thing and walk away. You’re not right for her.”
“Ash doesn’t see it that way.”
“She doesn’t know what she wants,” he snaps.
“I think she does.”
He gives a sarcastic snort of laughter. “Of course you do. You’re married, Ben, and you’ve got baggage. Ash doesn’t need that.”
I sigh, shaking my head. “I’ve explained my situation. I’m married on paper, that’s all, and my daughter is not baggage.”
He shrugs, taking another drink. “Still married, though.”
“I had a life before I met Ashlyn. Wasn’t Paisley married when you met her?” I ask, already knowing the answer.
