“Act like you’ve never been taught manners. You can maul each other in private. This is an important event.”
Asher let out a caustic laugh. “I don’t need your permission to hug my girlfriend. And you’re the last person qualified to lecture on manners.”
Dad’s face flushed crimson. “I didn’t invite you here to antagonize me, but I should’ve remembered trouble follows you everywhere.”
He was being cruel, and I knew he wouldn’t stop.
“He isn’t causing trouble,” I said. “You are. If people are staring, it’s because of you. If our presence bothers you so much, we can leave.”
He leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, a mocking smile curling his lips. “It might be for the best. We can do without more embarrassment.”
Sharon toyed with the diamond stud in her ear and cleared her throat. “Honey, maybe that’s too much.”
Did she actually disagree with him, or just worry people would notice if we walked out? Either way, I was done enduring his rudeness.
“You never cared before, why start now?” I grabbed my purse. “Don’t worry. We were ready to leave anyway. Enjoy the rest of your meal.”
We shouldn’t have come.
Asher rose without hesitation, sliding my chair out and taking my hand as I stood. Together, we left the hall, crossing the lobby in silence, leaving behind the din of voices and the clink of cutlery.
Outside, he pulled me into his arms. “Are you okay?”
I pressed my nose to his neck, breathing him in, letting the scent settle me. “I will be. I can’t expect him to be reasonable. He never has been. At least now he knows we’re together.”
“I’m sorry.” Asher kissed my forehead. “It’d be easier if they respected our choice, but I already knew they wouldn’t.”
Just as I knew, deep down, that my relationship with my father was finished. Wilted like a plant left without water or sunlight.
After years of neglect and dozens of therapy sessions, I finally accepted the truth: trying to revive it would only waste my time.
CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE
Kaia
Asher and I were flying to Madrid tonight. It was barely ten a.m., and I was already exhausted from packing.
“Do I need these shoes?” I held up a pair of black heels as Alba stepped into my room. “Ash said we might go to some events.”
She scratched the back of her neck. “You know Spain has shops, right? Even if you forget something, you can buy it there.”
I dropped onto the bed and tossed the shoes onto a pile of folded sweaters in my suitcase. “I know. I think I’m getting flight jitters.”
“Nah. You’ve flown plenty of times. Lots with me.” She leaned on the doorframe. “Maybe you’re just nervous about your first vacation together.”
“No.” My groan betrayed me. “Maybe a little. I’ll see where he was born, where he grew up. I’ll meet his grandma.”
That was it. I sighed. “I’m scared she won’t like me. I’m tired of people being against us.”
Alba crossed the room and perched beside me. “Your father and his wife are the only ones with a problem. Like my dad says, No eres monedita de oro para caerle bien a todos—you’re not a golden coin to be liked by everyone.”
“Your dad is the best.”
“Careful.” Alba nudged me with her elbow. “If I tell him you said that, he might try to adopt you. Not that I’d say no to a sibling. The only downside is we’re not twins.”
I chuckled. “You’re like a dog with a bone, Albita. I already said no to twin kids. An even bigger no to dating twin brothers.”
“Well. If Asher has an older brother his mother hid from him…”
