Asher’s POVI kept stealing glances at the door where she had walked through, waiting to see her walk out again. The team had been extra friendly because I was sitting comfortably with a front-row view of the shoot area, a fine bottle of unopened champagne in front of me. My jaw dropped when she emerged. Her outfit was a beautiful nude dress that stopped mid-thigh, making her legs look even longer.Assistants rushed back and forth, adjusting the lighting, fixing props, and setting up the stage.She glanced at me and smiled. It was the most beautiful sight, making me feel warm inside. When she approached me, I stood up and closed the distance between us. “You look beautiful,” I blurted out as soon as she got closer.She smiled in response and tucked her hair behind her ear. “Taylor is trying to get me to talk to her...”“Would you like me to do something about her?” I asked. “Say, kick her out of the shoot, for instance?”She gave me a funny look.I clutched my chest. “I’m really serio
Ivy’s POVAsher had been the sweetest. It was hard to reconcile him with the same guy who teased me all the time in the past. I was too chicken to face Taylor, but on his insistence, I had gone to the shoot. Having him around made me feel a lot better. I didn’t have the crippling dread inside me as I walked into the studio. His corny remarks made me focus on something other than the anger I felt for Taylor.I wanted to go on a long rant. I wanted to charge at her and scream down the studio. It was hard enough dealing with my heartbreak alone, having no one around to talk to. The last thing I needed was my heartbreak becoming the next trendy news in the media. I couldn’t even tell my parents—I didn’t need strangers dissecting my life and picking me apart. That was why I stayed quiet, why I avoided Taylor all day, and why I pretended not to hear her call out to me several times.He made it even easier. I loved the way his eyes searched for me at every point, like we were old lovers. The
Asher’s POV“Are you okay, man?” Luca asked for the umpteenth time that week. We were in my living room.I turned to glare at him. “What do you think?” I turned back to stare at my reflection in the mirror. My hair was sticking out oddly because I had run my fingers through it repeatedly. I was sporting stubble on my chin and jawline, and my eyes looked sunken, like I hadn’t slept in days—which wasn’t far from the truth.“You look like shit, and I’m genuinely worried,” he said.I exhaled. “Luca, I told you I was fine. You didn’t have to stop by.”He eyed me. “Yeah, of course. There’s absolutely no reason to be worried about you right now.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “I mean, can’t you just call her? She’s your wife, isn’t she? And you definitely miss her.”Damn right I did. After our last argument, Ivy had gone home, and I hadn’t heard from her in two weeks. She didn’t come back to our house either. I was hoping she would, considering she had her things here. She didn’t resp
Ivy’s POV“What do you know about the Sterlings?” my mother asked suddenly. We were sitting around the large dining table.I exhaled and glanced at the door nervously, checking my watch for the umpteenth time. I was a nervous wreck, and rightfully so. I hadn’t seen Asher in weeks, and I was about to introduce our families at our home.“Aside from the fact that they own a huge company? Nothing,” my dad answered. He turned to look at me. “Usually, this part of the introduction happens before my daughter gets married to their son.”My mother gripped his hand to stop him.I let out a huge sigh. “Dad, we’re already married.”“And I’m still pissed about it!” he blurted out.I tucked my hair behind my ears. I had sent Asher a long email describing my parents, hoping he had read it and prepared for this. I needed this evening to go well. So much between us already wasn’t, but this had to.You’d think I would have called off the wedding—it was a joke, after all—but no. For reasons I couldn’t f
Asher’s POVI called home three hours before it was time. My father picked up on the second ring, and it was a video call.“Asher.”“Dad,” I answered.“What is it?”“You remember we have that...”“Yes, of course, he does,” Marcus interjected, his annoying face covering the whole screen, “We all remember, we wouldn’t miss it for the world.”I couldn’t hide the surprise on my face. “You’re at home, Marcus?”“Yes, I am. Dad and I made a little bet. Do you want to know what it’s about?”I rolled my eyes. I didn’t, but I knew Marcus, and I knew he would tell me anyway.“I’ve bet that by the end of the night, I’ll unravel whatever scheme you’ve planned and how you managed to entrap your new wife. Dad, for some reason, thinks she might actually find you likable enough to want to be married to you...” He chuckled and shook his head. “I don’t know, though, it seems highly unlikely.”“Marcus, I don’t care. I hope Dad can at least get good money out of you. You’re unfortunately my brother, and m
Asher’s POV“We are so delighted to have you at our home,” Mr. Whitfield said cheerfully. “It’s our pleasure...”The waiters served the food. The main course was grilled filet mignon with roasted vegetables and truffle sauce.“It was a rather unlikely situation that brought us together,” my dad responded.“A beautiful one, nonetheless,” Mrs. Whitfield chimed in, smiling warmly at me.I leaned closer to Ivy, who was sitting beside me. “Why is your mom staring at me?” I asked quietly.She glanced at her mother for a moment before replying, “I think they’re starting to like you…”My eyes widened in alarm. “What? They hated me before?” My voice was louder than expected, and everyone’s eyes turned towards me at the table.Ivy’s mother reached for my hand. “Are you okay, son? Is the food to your liking? Do you need anything else?”Now everyone’s attention was on her. My mom gave her a quizzical look.Son? I was too shocked by the term of endearment to respond properly. It was so affectionat
Ivy’s POVHis request for Sterling Winery. Responsible... Choice to be married. The words hung in the air between us. My body grew rigid. Thankfully, my parents were too preoccupied with whatever they were whispering to themselves. In that moment, I was glad for their obsession.“Thank you, father,” Asher answered. His voice lacked all the excitement it had before.Maybe it shouldn’t have come as a surprise to me; it was clear as day. He had made it obvious in his words and actions that our marriage was just a joke. It meant nothing. Yet, there was some delusional part of me that kept holding on, hoping for something more. He didn’t make it any easier when he walked in and kissed me with so much passion, like we were actually lovers. It didn’t help that, in barely an hour, he had managed to convince my parents that we had somehow found love, which was absurd. I hadn’t spoken to him in weeks.I stole a glance at him, and when I did, he was looking right back at me with an apologetic ex
Ivy’s POVI sat upright, scrolling through the news feed. “What did it say, Marsha?” I asked, biting my fingernails anxiously.Marsha, my personal assistant for years, replied, “It’s been generally positive. I think fans are truly fascinated with the idea of you two being a couple…”I looked up from my phone to her. Marsha was a fiery redhead with striking green eyes.“I can’t tell if you’re serious right now or just pulling my leg…” I said skeptically.She smiled at me. “I am serious…”We had announced our marriage. Well, technically Asher had—without my input. I knew it was bound to happen at some point, but I was still unprepared. Not him, though. He showed up at an event wearing his ring, making sure to flash it for the cameras. It didn’t take long for the media to piece it all together, with pictures of us in public flying around.“You and Asher are loved by the fans. They think it’s beautiful that you’re married, though some also think it’s kind of crazy…”“Finally! You’ve spoke