Can't Let You Go

Chapter 46

"I'm not really in charge of it, Bethany is."

"You mean the Bethany who broke up your parents' marriage? She's still working here?"

"She's the one who brought Emily on-board. Didn't you know?"

"I've only been here since Saturday. The only people I met with the other day were Savis lawyers."

"She's here, she's in my house, and she's trying to officially join my family. She and my father didn't marry, yet, but they have a son."

"A son? That must have been a difficult time in your life. I'm sorry I wasn't here for you. You were my best friend, separate from being my girlfriend." He takes a deep breath. "This sounds awful to say, but I want to be honest with you. You being my best friend was more important to me than you being my girlfriend. That's why I handled the break up so poorly. I thought it was merely a physical attraction between us and that you'd lose interest naturally if I cooled us off... and that we could remain friends."

When he holds my hand again, I can't help but look in his eyes and remember what our friendship was back then. I want to believe him.

"I'm here now, let me help you. With my mom, with Bethany, with anything. That's what friends are for. Tell me what's going on in your life."

I take in a deep breath and he watches my face intently. I breathe out slowly and my story comes spilling out with it - an abridged version that just hits the highlights. Ashton doesn't inquire or comment, but various emotions show on his face.

"What was with the faces you were making while I was talking?"

"Oh, um, it's just that I didn't know you had left Alaris. So, you went to Korea?"

"Yeah, my mom went there for work after she left home. She'd set everything up for me to do a study abroad in Seoul. Only, by the time I got there, she was gone and I was on my own."

"And while you were a student in Korea you met Liam? And you worked for Liam?"

"Yes."

"And now you're engaged to Liam? William Bennet?"

"Yes. You're making weird faces again."

"You didn't know him before then? Even though your families are in the same social and business circles?"

"I mean, there's a small possibility we met when we were children, but he's six years older than us. Your family is in the same circles. Did you ever meet him? You and I only really met when we were in middle school together. Kids were very rarely included in their outside lives. The Savis Gala is the only function I think I ever attended with the adults."

"Okay... that's true I guess. I didn't know his family connection until after I met him in January. It's just such a huge coincidence. A long series of amazing coincidences."

"Isn't it?" I laugh. It's only when I do that and naturally want to raise my hands to my face, that I notice Ashton and I are still holding hands on my lap. I start to remove my hand from his, but he laces his fingers into mine and grips them together.

"Honey," he has a serious expression on his face now, "I mean it when I say that I'm sorry and that I've missed you. I'm here for you now and if I can do anything to protect you, I will. I'll be in California for a short while, but after that... Will you and Liam have dinner with Emily and I before I leave on Sunday?"

"I don't know about that." I try to pull my hand free, but he leans nearer, places his other hand on top and holds me firmly.

"Please?"