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“I didn’t want to either at first. But you know what I discovered the first time I got in it after months of looking at it in the drive?” I shake my head, as much as I can with him holding my face. “It didn’t hurt at all to sit inside, even less to drive it and play his tunes because each one of those things reminded me of him, who he was and what he loved. Getting in his car feels like a hug, Kenzie. I don’t know about you, but I fucking missed that.”
Tears well in my eyes, and I look up to the sky to stop them from falling. It’s no use, they fall. Asher brushes them away with his thumbs. When my eyes meet his again, I can see the truth of his words there. I can feel them.
“Okay,” I relent, and my heart almost does a little jump at that. Asher pulls my face to his and kisses me deeply before letting my face go and taking my hand to lead me round to the passenger side.
As soon as he opens the door, I’m hit by the overwhelming aroma of cherry. “Oh my god, it smells just like…” I turn to Asher, who is holding the door open with a big smile on his face. “Wow!” I exclaim, climbing inside and settling in the seat.
My heart is still racing, but I don’t feel any of the fear and pain I was expecting. Asher was right, it feels just like one of Nolan’s big brother hugs. I almost want to snuggle into my seat, but that would be weird.
He runs round the front and climbs in beside me. For the first couple of minutes as we drive toward town there’s silence, then I decide I need to ask something that’s been on my mind since we saw Owen up by the mill.
“Did you recognize the woman Owen was with earlier?” I watch Asher closely for any reaction. His hesitation is the first clue that the answer is yes. To what level that’s going to mean anything to me depends on his next words.
“Yes. I didn’t see her clearly, but I think it was Aria Thomas.” His words are tight and guarded.
“As in Preston Thomas’ daughter?” He nods, turning onto Main Street. I wait to see if he offers me anything more.
“We spent the night together a few weeks ago. It’s the reason Deputy Peters wanted to talk to me. The night after, someone broke into her father’s beach front house, and he—”
“Assumed because of your record, you must be involved. Explains a lot.”
“Doesn’t explain his animosity toward you though. Something that’s been bugging me since the other day outside mine. You ever seen him before?” he asks, and I wonder how much is to deflect from Aria.
“Don’t do that, Ash. Don’t fob me off. So, you slept with her, big deal. You did see who she was with, right? And to answer your question, no I don’t think I know him, but there is something familiar about him.”
“I’m so—”
“Don’t. I don’t need your pity for my poor choice in men, Ash. The joke is on her if she thinks he’s been faithful.” Admitting to Ash that the man I’ve given the last two years of my life to is a cheating piece of shit isn’t easy, but I can’t lie and say it doesn’t ease some of my pain to know it’s not just me he’s been fucking around on.
Asher pulls into the diner parking lot and parks, turning the engine off before turning to face me. He pulls his phone free, searching for something before handing it to me.
I frown but take the phone, looking down at the screen. It’s a photo of Owen and a blond holding hands as they enter some swanky bar. The caption states it’s the opening of Bar 82 in L.A, attended by Aria Thomas and her close friend Owen Taylor. When I look at the date, I realize it was only six months ago and at the time Owen claimed to be on a business trip. Some fucking business trip.
Given everything that’s happened in the last twenty-four hours, I’ve not really given much thought to how Owen knew where I was, and now I’m beginning to think it’s not his first time here. The realization must show on my face.
“What does he know about your life here, Kenz?”
“Nothing. I never once mentioned Silverbell to him. What does this mean, Ash?”
He slides a hand onto my thigh, giving it a squeeze as he takes back his phone with the other. “I don’t know yet. But we’ll find out. Come on, let’s go see what your friend knows,” he says, and I don’t miss the emphasis on the word friend. I hope like hell Drake behaves himself.
We climb from the car and walk toward the diner, which is just starting to get busier as it’s lunchtime. Mary looks up as we enter, raising her chin in greeting.
“Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes Kennedy Scott,” she says, stepping from behind the counter and embracing me. “How pissed should I be that this is the first time you’ve been in since your return?” she says, a hint of humor lacing her harsh reprimand.
“Ahh, yeah, sorry about that. It’s been…enlightening.”
“I’m sure. Take a seat anywhere you like. I’ll be over shortly,” she says, then hurries off back behind the counter.
I scan the diner looking for Drake, who must be here because we are late, and he never is. I finally spot him tucked away in the far-left corner in a booth that’s near on its own. Drake is suddenly replaced with an image of my dad sitting there with a client. It was his favorite table and perfect for more private conversations.
“Hey, you okay?” Ash asks, placing a hand on my back and bringing me back to the present.
“Yeah, I’m fine.” I stride toward Drake confidently, putting my mask in place. It’s already slipped more times than I would like today.
Drake looks up as we approach, and although his eyes light when he sees me, the serious deadpan look he always wears remains in place. He gets to his feet as I reach him, leaning in to kiss me on the cheek. I hear a low rumble from behind me as Ash’s hand comes up to rest possessively on my hip.
“Drake, this is Asher,” I introduce, then take a seat wanting to get on with this meeting, which has huge potential to go sideways. Drake sits at the same time as Asher does, almost in sync, and they eye each other across the table. “What’s so important you had to come all the way out here to tell me?” I ask, trying to break the staring contest between these two alpha males.
