Yuck.
Every woman knows my pain when they feel that damn jelly between their legs after an exam. It’s the most uncomfortable, disgusting feeling in the entire world. I waddle to the counter and grab a few tissues, clean myself up, and get dressed.
My stomach rumbles when I think of breakfast and head out the door toward the elevator. How can they afford something so spacious with a freaking miniature hospital in the basement? I press the button against the wall and the hum of the elevator descending vibrates the floor and stainless-steel doors.
It dings and the doors part, giving me an elegant view that matches the rest of the home. The floor is marble and the mirrors lining the wall are clean, crisp, and hide nothing of the reflection. I hurry to put my hair up, so I don’t look like such a mess since the strands are so tangled.
Satisfied with the messy bun on top of my head, I press the button to the main floor, and lean against the wall as I rise.
I chuckle sadly when I think of how Asher and I have switched spots when it comes to on another. I used to despise him, and he used to want me. Now here I am, getting warm and fuzzy over him and he can’t seem to put enough space between us.
I rub my temples when a headache starts to pound. I don’t want to feel anything for anyone, yet here I am, drawn to him like a moth to flame.
And he wants to freaking squish me, which he has the right to do after what I did. It doesn’t mean I can’t wish for him to forgive me so we can start over.
The elevator comes to a stop and the doors open to reveal the endless hallway that eventually leads to the kitchen. I can smell breakfast from here, similar to the muffins Asher brought into the room last night and I let my nose lead me to where I need to be.
I take my time, staring at the artwork along the wall, the impressive gold statues every few feet. Some are animals like lions and panthers, some are of Greek Gods and the detail is impeccable. Every line on the body, every whisker on the face, it’s lifelike. Minus the gold, of course.
The roar of conversation and laughter has me halting in my tracks. I can hear two babies crying and Quinn begging them to eat so they stop. Owen’s loud baritone booms when he calls out to Jolie. I glance around the corner and immediately notice that I don’t belong here. Sebastian is dancing with Gabriella, laughing at something she said. Grayson is feeding Finley and rubbing her pregnant belly.
Her and Jolie are going to give birth around the same time. Well, Finley is a little bigger, maybe by a month or so, but still, their kids will be close in age and how great will that be?
“Heather!” Jolie notices me watching them like a creeper, but I was just debating if I should step forward or run back to my room. “Come on. You don’t want breakfast to get cold.” She waves me over and Asher doesn’t even look my way.
I don’t feel welcome anymore.
“I’m just going to head back to my room. I don’t want to bother anyone.”
“Nonsense. Come eat breakfast. You need to eat,” Heaven finally speaks up. At least he is talking to me, so that has to mean something, right? I pass the big, sectional couches and take a seat at the kitchen island where a buffet of food is hot and fresh. The smell of salty bacon has my mouth watering.
Jaxon sets down a plate and Asher is behind him, reaching around and scooping up some eggs, plopping them on my plate. Next is a few slices of bacon, then a muffin, then toast, then a bagel. My eyes widen as I watch him pile food on my plate and everyone else stops what they are doing too watch the mountain grow.
Then he puts three pancakes right on top, then drizzles it in syrup.
“There. Eat that.”
I stare at him over the mound of food, which covers half my face as I peer up at him.
Jolie and the other gals giggle and Jaxon slaps Asher on the shoulder.
“What?” he looks at everyone dubiously. “She needs to eat.”
“Not for five people, Asher. Good lord, she’ll explode if she eats all that,” Owen chuckles, bending down to lay his chin on Finley’s shoulder.
“Oh, okay,” Asher stabs one pancake and lifts it off the plate, still leaving more than necessary. “How’s that?”
“This is fine. Thank you, Asher.” I stab a pancake, not bothering to cut it up. I don’t want people to give him a hard time when he is being nice. “It’s good,” I say around a mouthful of food.
“Good.” Asher starts eating from his own plate, chewing on a piece of bacon. He has a deep frown in between his eyes, focusing intently on the slab of bacon in front of him. I don’t like the look on his face. It’s worrying me.
“What’s wrong?” I ask him, wiping my mouth off with the cloth napkin. Jaxon sips his coffee, sliding his eyes toward Asher to see if he says anything, but he remains silent. I lay my fork down and swallow my food. “Out with it, please. What is going on?”
“Did you know your dad was running for governor of California?”
I nod, it’s been going on for a while I might have been kidnapped, but luckily I wasn’t gone for an entire year like Jolie. “Yeah, is there an update? Did he win?”
“You knew?” Asher says, shooting an accusatory glare at me. “Why didn’t you say anything?”