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“Aw, babe.” She pokes out her bottom lip once she gets control of herself. “You know you can’t keep it away from me. He would miss me too much.”
Tony quickly reaches up, snags Liv by the waist and drags her across to him, where she straddles his lap. “Damn straight,” he growls.
I turn away when they start devouring each other’s mouths. Jealousy is a bitch, and I hate that I feel it right now. Tony and Liv deserve to be as happy as they are. I’m happy for them, I just wish I could have the same thing.
You could if you’d get over your spat, my mind screams loudly at me.
I mentally zip and lock the lips on my inner voice.
A flash of a few nights ago comes to mind. I knew I missed Asher, but I didn’t realize how much until I saw him. My eyes ate him up as he came into view. I so badly wanted to open the window and drag him inside. I wanted to run my fingers through his hair, breathe in his intoxicating scent, feel his warmth wrap around me, and have him draw me into his arms and tell me everything is going to be okay. But I didn’t. I stood strong against my wants because I still haven’t gotten over what he did.
My heart broke even more at how he looked. He was haggard and so very tired. His eyes looked sad with bags, the bristle on his face showed he hadn’t shaved in days, and his chee
ks looked gaunt. The devastating appearance didn’t match the strong and confident man I knew. I wanted the old Asher back.
When he walked away after telling me he loved me the way he did, I again almost crumbled. My hand was reaching for the latch when he disappeared. When he left, he took every piece of my heart with him. I want my heart back, but I fear it’ll never be mine to have again. He’s claimed it for himself and has no intention of giving it back.
“Hello? Earth to Poppy?” Liv says, waving a hand in front of my face and breaking me from my thoughts.
I glance over to see she’s back in her chair with a flushed look. Her breathing seems to be rapid as well. Looking over at Tony, he doesn’t seem to be in much better condition. He’s no longer reclining back in his chair, but bent over with his elbows resting on his knees. I blush when I realize he has to be hiding his body’s reaction.
I jump up from my chair. “I uh… I’ll just go to my room.” I rush out and go to walk by the table.
“Wait,” Liv says, grabbing my arm. “Are you sure you won’t reconsider coming with us tonight? You don’t need to be stuck in this house, and I don’t feel comfortable leaving you here alone.” Her brows pinch down into a frown.
“No, you two go ahead. You’ve both been stuck here with me. Go have fun. I’ll be fine. Both Asher and Sam have men out there. Nothing will happen.”
She bites her lip and thinks for several seconds, before giving a hesitant nod. “Only if you’re sure…”
“I’m definitely sure.”
“Okay, but if you need anything, we’ll both have our phones on us.”
“Stop worrying. I’ll call if anything happens, but I don’t see how it can with so many people watching the house.” I lean down and kiss her cheek, then do the same to Tony. “Thank you for everything you both are doing. I hate that I’m burdening—”
I don’t get a chance to finish before Liv is standing and pulling me into her arms.
“Don’t ever think you’re a burden. You may not be my blood, but you’re still my sister.”
“Love you, Liv,” I tell her through a thick throat.
She pulls back and cups my face. “Love you, too.”
She releases me and Tony steps up, grabbing my shoulders. “We’re not doing this because it’s the right thing to do. We’re doing it because we love you, and you’re family.” He smiles and places a kiss on my forehead before stepping back.
Still amazed at my good fortune at finding these two, I walk back to the room I’ve been using. I’m glad that Liv and Tony are going out tonight. It’s a business function Tony’s known about for a while. They told me earlier they were going to cancel, but I told them if they did I’d kick them out of the house and lock all the doors. They need the time out. They went from having the house to themselves to having a roommate. It’ll do them good to get out and away from the unstable woman that’s taken over their home. Not to mention, I see the worry their faces have been carrying lately since I’ve been here. They need the opportunity to let go of their worries and relax.
I quietly close the door behind me and go straight to the bed. I’m tired. It’s already late afternoon, and I know I probably shouldn’t take a nap because it might keep me up tonight, but I don’t think my eyes will continue to stay open. Sleeping has become a rare occurrence for me.
Before setting my phone down on the nightstand, I check the display to see if I missed any calls or texts. My heart sinks when I don’t see any missed notifications. I haven’t heard from Asher since the night he came to see me. He has a single rose delivered to me every day, but there hasn’t been any other communication than that. At first I wasn’t sure how I would take him sending me the same rose as I got from the creep, but I found I still enjoy them. I’m glad he didn’t take that away from me.
I snuggle down into my pillow and close my eyes.
What feels like minutes later, someone shakes my shoulder. Groggily, I force my eyes open and look up into Liv’s. I sit up and rub my eyes and look around. I was asleep longer than I thought. Out the window, the sun has already set, putting the room into darkness, except for the little bit of light coming through the open door.
“What time is it?” I ask sleepily.
“Fifteen minutes till nine. Tony and I are heading out. Are you sure you’re going to be okay?”
