Ashton Scott

Maybe he got tired of waiting for me and decided I’m not worth the hassle.

I stare at Sienna, gulping down the dread consuming me. “I can’t call him. My phone is dead and I don’t know his number.”

“Facebook. Send him a message and tell him to call you on my phone.”

Thank goodness one of us is thinking straight.

I log into my Facebook account on her phone and message him. After I hit Send, I glance at Sienna. “I hope he gets that soon. I feel sick enough from the hangover. Waiting for him may just kill me.”

“Okay, you’re being dramatic. Let’s calm down and get some food into you. That should help.”

I shake my head. “I can’t eat at a time like this.” She’s right that I am being dramatic, and it’s completely unlike me, but I feel more stressed about getting in touch with Ashton than I’ve ever felt over a man before. I believe in him and his faithfulness, but I need to talk to him and make sure he hasn’t changed his mind about us. That’s the one doubt lingering.

Half an hour later when he still hasn’t replied to my message, Sienna declares, “Enough! We’re going to shower and get dressed, and then we’re going out to eat. Sitting around here waiting for Ashton is not productive. He’ll call at some point. I mean, hell, the man has made it clear how much he wants you. He’s definitely going to call.”

I hope she’s right. After spending last night getting to the bottom of my fears and then admitting to myself just how much I love and want Ashton in my life, I’m counting on her being right.

56

Lorelei

“Lorelei, there you are! You arrived and then you disappeared on me,” Ryan Shandwick says, his eyes a little too glittery with excitement for me tonight.

I’m not in the mood. I haven’t heard from Ashton all day, so I’m feeling anything but excited. On top of that, Ryan phoned me this afternoon and invited me to this party we’re now at, and after repeated attempts to say no, I finally caved. He told me it was important for our development for me to be seen here with him. I didn’t want to let him down so I agreed to show my face. I’ve been here for almost an hour and plan to leave very soon. This party is nothing but shallow socialites, showy businessmen, and government officials who I suspect can be bought with enough cash. Not my kind of people. I’m unsure why Ryan thought it important for me to be here.

I gather my strength because I know he’ll do everything to convince me to stay. If there’s one thing Ryan’s good at, it’s never giving up and never taking no for an answer. “I’m about to leave.”

He reaches for my arm as he shakes his head. “You can’t leave. I have some people for you to meet.”

Less than a minute later, he’s dragged me across the room and we’ve joined a group of people at the bar. And I’m staring at Cassia Brampton.

This can’t be happening.

Why did I agree to come tonight?

Of all the people, I had to run into her.

Ryan cuts into my thoughts when he introduces me to two men, but I fail to drag my attention fully to the conversation because all I can think about is whether Ashton has chosen Cassia over me.

That he didn’t call or check in with me today has my confidence in our relationship at rock bottom. Sienna tried to give me a pep talk, but it doesn’t matter how often she says Ashton made it clear he wants me; the fact is he kissed Cassia and hasn’t called me. Those aren’t actions of a man who wants me.

“You look a little ill,” Cassia says as she leans in close to me. “Is everything okay?”

She catches me off guard, and I stumble with my reply. “Oh, do I? No, not ill. I’m fine. Well, I mean, I had a girls’ night last night and drank a little too much, so maybe I’m still recovering from that.”

Goodness, stop talking.

Do not say another word.

Do not engage with her.

I smooth my hair.

This woman puts me on edge.

Jesus.

Stop smoothing your hair.