Harper’s face imdiately flushed red.
‘Did I do sothing wrong? I don’t think we’ve t before, but if I’ve upset you in any way, I’m happy to apologise.’
Cassian touched her shoulder.
‘Don’t cry, let figure out what’s going on,’ he said, then turned to . ‘I’m honestly trying to introduce you to a client. What’s going on? Why are we getting into this before we even eat?’
I’d aid my snark at Harper to stand up for Yvaine, but Cassian? He was the one who really made sick.
I stared him down. ‘Drop the act. You think I don’t know what you two are up to?’
Cassian, being an old friend of Ashton’s and a few years older than , had always gotten my respect in the past.
But not today.
‘I’ve known Yvaine forever, you know we’re close. Yet here you are, bringing this woman here. What’s your play, Cassian? You trying to rub it in Yvaine’s face? Or maybe you want to sit here with Harper and stir up so drama between and Yvaine?’
The room went deathly quiet.
The look on Cassian’s face shifted from confusion to sothing like guilt.
He didn’t say anything for a long mont.
Finally, he let out a breath and tried to explain. ‘I didn’t an anything like that. It’s just—Harper ntioned wanting a custom piece of jewellery, so I thought of you. I really just wanted to set you up with a potential client.’
He glanced awkwardly at Ashton. ‘I swear, there’s nothing more to it than that.’
Ashton shot Cassian a sharp look. ‘This is really low, Cassian. Did you bring her here just to screw with ?’
Cassian sighed. ‘Look, this whole thing is a misunderstanding. I swear, business is business, no hard feelings. Let’s just talk about the jewellery.’
‘Talk about what?’ I scoffed. ‘I don’t talk business with assholes. Do you think I’m going to sit down and have a al with you?’
I turned to Harper. ‘And you. You do know Cassian has a girlfriend, right? Yet here you are, willing to play the side piece. I’d rather grind my diamonds into dust and snort them than design a single piece of you.’
I spun towards the door. ‘I’m done.’
If it weren’t for Ashton’s presence, I’d have said sothing far snarkier.
He fell into step beside .
Cassian ca rushing after us.
‘Ashton, hold on! Please, let explain! This is all a misunderstanding!’
He caught up with Ashton, grabbing his arm. ‘I’m serious, I didn’t an for this to go down like this. Don’t let this one little thing ruin our friendship.’
Ashton yanked his arm away, his tone as cold as ice. ‘You betrayed Yvaine, and then you bring that woman here? In front of my wife? What the hell were you thinking?’
Cassian quickly held up his hands. ‘Look, I didn’t an for all this to happen. I just wanted to arrange a jewellery order. Simple as that. Yvaine and I broke up weeks ago—’
‘It’s not even been a week!’ I cut in.
Ashton flung out an arm to stop Cassian. ‘I don’t care about your ss with Yvaine. But you’ve made Mirabelle angry. That’s on you.’
Cassian frowned. ‘Co on, Ash. We’ve been friends for years. You’re not going to let her get between us, are you?’
I pretended not to care, but my ears pricked up.
‘You think I’m going to pick your side after this? Mirabelle is my wife. If she’s upset, I don’t care who you are, you’re going to pay for it.’
I could hear Cassian’s frustrated sigh.
Ashton reached in seconds.
‘Slow down, Mira,’ he said softly. ‘Don’t be mad.’
‘I’m not mad, I’m pissed!’ I yanked my arm out of his grasp. ‘Did you know about this?’
‘I knew he was bringing an actress, but that’s all I knew,’ Ashton said, his tone almost pleading. ‘I didn’t know anything about his relationship with the woman. If I had, I wouldn’t have brought you here. I swear.’
I stared at him for a few seconds, trying to lie-detect his expression.
After a mont, I relented.
I wanted to believe him.
Ashton wasn’t an idiot like Cassian; he wouldn’t pull a stunt like that.
But my anger didn’t fade.
I knew I shouldn’t take it out on him, but if he hadn’t brought here, none of this would’ve happened.
‘Forget it,’ I muttered. ‘It’s not like I can avoid him forever. But when I see him, don’t expect to be polite. If you’re uncomfortable with that, just do what you can to keep us apart.’
Ashton didn’t hesitate. ‘I’m not uncomfortable. If it’s about business, there’s no avoiding him. But if it makes you unhappy, I won’t see him outside of work again.’
I paused. ‘I’m not trying to control your friendships.’
It wasn’t my place.
But then Ashton said, ‘You can. I’ve got no problem with that. I’ll always back you up, and I’m with you on this whole thing with Yvaine. I don’t like it either.’
‘Really?’ I asked, surprised.
‘Really.’
I climbed down from my moral high horse. ‘The thing is, Cassian’s the one I’m really mad at. He’s the one who’s out of line.’
‘Exactly,’ Ashton agreed, pulling towards his car. ‘You’re still upset. You’re not driving. Co with . I’ll take you ho.’
‘What about my car?’
‘I’ll get soone to bring it ho.’
I ended up in the passenger seat before I could stop myself.
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