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I’ve already started looking into some apartments. I’ve worked at the hotel for a month and my salary is substantial enough. That coupled with my savings and I should be able to find somewhere good enough to live.
“You look like you’ve got the weight of the world on your shoulders.”
I whirl around at the sound of Asher’s voice. He walks onto the terrace and I give him a small smile as he settles beside me.
“How was the party?” I ask.
He shrugs. “It was alright. I tuned out for most of it.”
“I thought you all loved gathering to celebrate your mom’s life.”
“We mostly do it to keep Xander happy. It’s not my favorite thing to do but it means something to him.”
“Are you okay? I mean, weird party aside, your mom did pass away today,” I prompt.
I realize I should have done this for Xander, too. Despite how upset I was, I should have been there for him this morning, to comfort him and help him through the day. He might pretend to be alright, but Kathy’s death is tormenting him and he’s keeping it all bottled inside.
“Honestly, this is the first year since she died that I haven’t cried. I want to take that to mean that I’m moving on. Healing.”
I smile. “That’s great, Asher. I’m proud of you.”
We both fall silent as we stare into the horizon. There aren’t any stars tonight, just the moon, sitting there alone with no company.
“Do you remember that time I snuck into the kitchen at that restaurant you worked at because I wanted to give you some flowers?”
I roll my eyes. “You got me in so much trouble that day. My boss was this close to firing me because you convinced me to let you stay when you should have left immediately. You were always looking for trouble.”
“Hey, I had an older, super-hot girlfriend and I was trying to keep you interested so you wouldn’t dump me. I was so intimidated by you. Everywhere you went, you just radiated. You made me want to do better. You still do.”
“I’m glad I was someone special to you,” I tell him, turning to look into his eyes.
He’s already staring at me. His hazel eyes are filled with so much emotion that I find myself looking away.
“Asher—” I start but he cuts in.
“I love you, Juliette,” he states and I suck in a breath. “It’s been five years, but not once during that time did I ever stop thinking about you. I know I messed up and I know that you might never forgive me. I just wanted you to know that you’re always going to be it for me.”
Seconds tick by as I stare at the banister, unsure of what to say. I can’t do this with him right now. Especially not when another man is so firmly fixed in my heart. Alexander might have his faults, but he makes me feel alive in a way no one else does. I look forward to seeing him in the morning and when he kisses me, it’s passionate, raw, and the most beautiful thing I’ve ever felt.
“Asher,” I say softly, “I’m sorry but I can’t.”
In another world, if I hadn’t met Alexander Callahan, maybe it could have been me and him. If he had returned to me like this and asked me out again, I might have said yes. I would have made him work for it, but I would have ended up with him. But I met Xander, and despite this major curveball life has thrown at our relationship, I can’t bear to let him go.
“It’s okay, Julie,” Asher says, chewing on his bottom lip. “I guess I fumbled the ball, huh?”
He laughs awkwardly and the sound twists my gut. I step forward and wrap my arms around his waist.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper.
He kisses the top of my head before stepping away.
“You’re an amazing woman, Juliette Landers. And any man would be lucky to have you.”
“We’re still friends, right?”
He nods. “You won’t be getting rid of me so easily.”
A throat clears at the entrance to the terrace and we turn to find Xander there, staring at both of us, his mouth set in a hard line.
