When we turn a corner, I stop us in our tracks, holding Lily’s hand firmly in my own.
Ashley is looking right at us.
I instinctively step in front of Lily, still holding her hand and making sure she’s alright.
“Sebastian! I’ve been looking for you.”
Ashley says it like she’s a relative speaking to a family member, when in reality, she’s someone I spent a maximum of ten minutes with, in a crowded, noisy club.
“You can stop looking for me and leave me alone,” I say, my tone stern.
I’m done with this.
I’ve tried everything.
Letting her down gently.
Ignoring her.
It’s time for her to let this go, because this is way out of line.
“Don’t say that. I saw the articles and had to see her for myself. Can’t believe you replaced me with her.”
Oh, fuck no.
She did not.
“First of all, the only reason I ever looked your way is that you resembled her, and I was going crazy about my feelings for her. Secondly, that was the biggest fucking mistake I made as you could never be her.”
I’m seething as I look down at her, and Ashley seems to understand that whatever she thought was between us was never there.
I was trying to forget about the woman who is holding me steady with her sole presence in this moment.
Lily steps forward, her chin raised as she looks at Ashley.
“You heard my man. Now, get lost before I call the police and have a restraining order imposed.”
Ashley looks between us, clearly not pleased with what she’s seeing, but the message registers loud and clear as she turns around and gets out of our way.
I’m hoping that will be the last time we ever see her.
“You okay?” I ask Lily, rubbing my hands up and down her arms. A habit I seem to have whenever my own nerves rise.
Touching her comforts me.
“Of course. Are you?”
I smile at her.
“Your man is very well,” I say, my tone teasing as we both break out in smiles.
“You’re sexy when you get possessive,” I whisper in her ear.
“And you’re sexy when you tell another woman she could never be me.”
It might not have been the wisest thing to say, as I don’t know how Ashley will react. I’m hoping she’ll realise she never stood a chance.
“It’s the truth,” I say, and the breathtaking smile Lily aims my way makes my heart skip.