Page 64 of Bleeding Hearts

I haven’t fully opened up to him about my past yet, and I know he senses that there’s more to my childhood than I’ve let on.

But earlier wasn’t the time.

If I had laid it all out then, I would’ve been making the moment about myself when it was meant to be about him.

I’ll tell him eventually, but it doesn’t change how I feel about him, and I sure as hell hope it won't affect how he feels about me.

Frustration seeps its way into my veins, and the more I think, the more pissed I get. The lecture ends and part of me wants to skip the next class altogether and go demand answers from him.

But that’s not why I’m here. I’m here to learn from some of the best of the best, and I refuse to throw that opportunity away just because Asher is a shithead.

Well, he’s not actually a shithead. He just acts like one sometimes.

Fuck, I don’t know why I’m defending him right now. I push him out of my thoughts as I make my way to the next class. Now that I’m cooking with knives and other utensils in front of me, I give it my full attention.

The class is called The Art of French Cooking, taught by Chef Gabriel Blanchet. Having rarely made French dishes, I learn a lot, eagerly taking in all the information I can.

About halfway through, the chef walks around, taking in our progress and tasting our food, and I even get a “good job” from him, which boosts my confidence through the roof. The whole thing is an hour and forty-five minutes long, but it feels like the time zooms past.

“Hey, you did a great job.” A voice coming from the station next to me grabs my attention as I’m packing up my things. I turn to face the man standing next to me.

He looks to be around the same age as me and he’s cute in a wholesome type of way. He’s tall, not as tall as Asher, but a good amount taller than me, with sandy-brown hair and light-blue eyes. He has a nervous smile on his face as he waits for me to respond.

“Thank you.” I smile politely at him. “Good job to you, also,” I add, even though, if I’m being honest, I never looked over at him once during the class and have no clue how he did.

“Thanks.” His smile grows more confident. “I’m Chad.” He reaches his hand out.

Okay, so he gets zero points for his name, but I ignore it, still being polite and reaching out to shake his hand.

“Demi. Nice to meet you,” I say, looking down at the phone, seeing a single text from Asher.

Asher: I fucked up. Please call me when you’re done.

At least he’s acknowledging that he fucked up. I know that I should call him now so we can clear things up, but the petty part of me wants to make him sweat a little more.

I figure he’s probably waiting for me in the room, so I’ll just head there instead of calling him first. He can be worried for a little longer.

“So, listen.” Chad grabs my attention away from my phone. I honestly forgot he was standing there still. “Would you maybe want to grab a drink?” he asks.

“I’m really sorry, but I actually have someone waiting for me,” I respond politely. “Have a great night though.”

He nods, although the obvious frown on his face shows his disappointment. I turn and walk out of the ballroom, heading down the hallway and toward the escalators that take me up to the lobby.

I pass through the lobby, my eyes wandering toward the large glass door at the front of it.

My attention catches on Asher walking through them. A small bag in his hand, indicating he’s been out, is the first thing I notice.

The second is the leggy blonde stumbling in behind him and throwing herself onto him as if she knows him.

I watch to see if he throws her off, but instead, he wraps his arm around her.

He looks up from where he is across the lobby and my eyes lock with his for only a second before I yank them away. I turn my back to him and the woman, storming over to the elevators.

A mixture of anger and hurt courses through my veins, and I can’t help but react, wanting to run away from it all.

I wait in front of the elevators for what seems like forever, repeatedly pressing the button, urging the elevator to come quicker.

The elevator doors open and I quickly walk through them, clicking my floor number followed by the button to close the doors.

---