Page 24 of Poison's Promise

“Yeah,” I agree, my eyes softening as I watch Tilly. “Too fast.”

“Are you—” Rachel starts, but then hesitates, biting her lower lip. “Are you seeing anyone?”

The question hangs in the air, loaded and heavy.

My mind flashes back to Polly, to the electric connection we still share despite everything. But I push those thoughts aside.

“Not really,” I say finally. “Just focusing on work and Tilly.”

Rachel shifts nervously, “How have the shows been going?”

“Great,” I reply, forcing a smile. “Crowds are insane. Sydney’s tour got extended, so I’ll be in and out of LA for a while.”

She looks at me, something sad flickering in her eyes. “So, you won’t be around much?”

She takes a seat a few feet away from me, and I think this is the perfect opening.

I take a deep breath. “No, I won’t. It’s why I want to spend some time with Tilly while I’m here. Maybe take her to the park or something.”

“That sounds nice,” Rachel says, her eyes meeting mine. There’s something there—regret, maybe? But it’s gone before I can fully grasp it.

“Rachel,” I start, my voice low, serious. “Rach, I need to know something,” I begin, my voice low and urgent. “What you said to me all those years ago about Polly... why did you say that?”

Rachel’s eyes widen in surprise, and she shifts uncomfortably in her seat. “What do you mean?”

“Don’t play dumb with me, please,” I snap, the frustration boiling over. “You told me she went willingly into that bedroom with that guy. Why?”

“Because that’s what I saw,” Rachel retorts, crossing her arms defensively. “She looked pretty willing to me. Why are you even bringing this up now? What does it matter?”

“Don’t play dumb,” I scoff. My fingers tighten around the edge of the kitchen counter. “I ran into Polly at a show last week.”

“Polly?” Her tone is dismissive, almost mocking. “So what? That was years ago.”

“Yeah, it was.” My chest tightens as I recall the conversation. “She didn’t willingly go into that bedroom with that guy.”

“Well, she wasn’t,” I say, my voice trembling with anger. “She was drugged and raped, Rachel. If I had known I would never have done anything the way I did.”

Rachel’s eyes meet mine again, and there’s a pain there that I haven’t seen in years. “You mean you wouldn’t have been with me, or had Tilly.”

“That’s not what I meant,” I say, closing my eyes briefly to collect myself. “I don’t regret our time together or having Tilly. But I wish I had known the truth. I made choices I can’t take back.”

“Save it, Asher.” She stands up and goes over to Tilly, lifting her up and placing her on her hip, her eyes cold. “Go run back to Polly if that’s where you want to be.”

“Wait,” I say, stepping forward as she turns away. “What about my time with Tilly?”

“Your attorney will be hearing from mine.” She doesn’t look back as she heads for the door.

“Rachel, wait!” I call after her, desperation creeping into my voice.

She hesitates for a second, but doesn’t turn around. Tilly’s small head peeks over her shoulder, her innocent eyes wide and confused.

My chest tightens, my heart hammering against my ribs.

Rachel pauses at the door, her hand on the knob.

She takes a deep breath and finally looks back at me.

Her eyes are cold, shielded by a wall of anger and betrayal that I’ve never seen before. “My attorney will reach out to yours, Asher. I think it’s best everything go through them from this point on.”

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