Page 62 of The Crush of Christmas Past
“We weren’t trying to eavesdrop,” I rush to add.
“We still ended up doing it.” Theo’s never been one for sugarcoating. “Sorry.”
“Well, if you’re looking for drama, you’ve come to the right place,” Sienna says. “You know me—always the overachiever. Some people’s fiancés cheat. Mine tried to destroy my entire family.”
“Sienna…” I take a small step forward. “You don’t have to talk about it, but if you need anything—at all—just say the word.”
We’ve known each other since kindergarten. Even without Asher at her side, I’ve always liked the brilliant, bold girl who grew into an even more spectacular woman. I rooted for them after the breakup—hoped that maybe,somehow, they’d find their way back to each other.
Though her smile falters, she straightens, smoothing a hand over the front of her dress. “I’m okay. It’s…complicated. But I’m safe.” She squeezes Asher’s forearm. “And so is this one. Don’t worry.”
Asher’s jaw flexes. “No one should be worrying about me right now.”
“I warned him to stay out of it. However, the second he knew something was up…” She groans. “He never thinks.”
“That’s me.” Asher’s smile is hollow. “A professional non-thinker.”
“The wedding…” I begin, hesitating. “Was the FBI stuff planned?”
“No. Totally improvised. One of my dad’s biggest cases went sideways. If the feds hadn’t landed a last-minute break, I’d be married to that asshole right now, plotting how to take him down from the inside.”
My eyebrows shoot up. “What?!”
“That’s exactly what I said.” Fury flashes in Asher’s eyes. “You were actually gonna go through with it?” He glares down at his ex. “Sign your life away? Sleep next to a bastard who wants your entire family dead? I get being brave. Even self-sacrificing. But that’s a death wish, Sienna.”
She shakes her head grimly. “Well, rest assured, I never want to go through that again.”
“Marrying a random criminal you’ve known for less than a year?” Asher is breathing hard. “Good call.”
Theo clears his throat. “You knew about Lucas?” he asks his brother.
“No. Sienna just told me to trust her. So, I did.” He pauses, glancing down at her. “I’ll always trust her. Even if she doesn’t trust me back.”
“He thought Lucas was cheating on me,” Sienna says. “Tried to play P.I. with his camera and catch him in the act. I…” She trails off, pressing her lips together. “You could’ve gotten hurt, Ash.”
“Yeah,well.” Asher shrugs. “A little pain never stopped me before.”
Theo nudges me toward the door. “We’ll get out of your way.”
Sienna rights herself, smoothing her features over. “Please enjoy the party,” she tells us. To Asher, she says, “I’m going home.”
“Alone?” His voice cracks mid-word.
“Yes.” An edge of finality cuts through the word.
Asher doesn't let up. “Sure you should be alone?”
“It’s for the best.”
“Is it?” he pushes.
He waits for her to reply. When she doesn’t speak, he heaves a defeated sigh and steps back.
Sienna’s fingers twitch at her sides as he brushes past her. Once he’s gone, she stands still, staring through the open door.
“We’ll give you space.” Theo says gently. “Reach out if you need anything.” He offers her a curt nod before guiding me toward the hum of music and light.
Out in the corridor, I glance back. Sienna stands at the vanity, fingers braced on its edge, head bowed.
