Page 94 of Asher

I closed the door, flipped the lock, turned to her, and then, as I did, I watched as tears trailed down her cheeks.

My heart stuttered, my feet were moving, and thankfully, I caught her as she started to lose her footing and maneuvered her to the couch.

I was running my hand through her hair, rocking her back and forth, waiting.

Then, finally, when hiccups appeared, she whispered, “Kyrian’s wife is pregnant.”

I nodded, “I know. I’m so sorry, Stella.”

She whimpered, “He did the same thing my dad did. He married her because she got pregnant.”

I nodded. “He’s a good man, Stella.”

That made her cry even more.

I didn’t know what to say to her.

What could I say?

That she could do better?

That would make me a hypocrite.

That she was better off without him?

Stella felt the same way about Kyrian that I did about Asher.

I wasn’t sure how much time had passed until I noticed that she had cried herself to sleep.

And since half of her weight was on me, I didn’t dare try to move.

Instead, I fell asleep right along with her.

Neither one of us heard the key in the lock, nor did we feel blankets being thrown over us.

And we didn’t see Asher settle his big body in the chair opposite the couch and fell asleep.

All because he would be damned if he ever slept in another room without me.

***

It was finally Friday, and it was almost time to be off work.

I wasn’t sure what was going on with my body, but it was off.

I honestly felt like I was coming down with the flu.

Everything hurt.

And I meant everything.

My boss even took pity on me and sent me home early.

After I grabbed my things, I got in my car and tagged my phone.

I pulled up Asher’s contact and pressed dial.

His voice came through the line a few seconds later, “You okay, Doll Baby?”

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