When she saw the woman’s profile, Ariadne’s feet stalled. She hadn’t seen Erika or spoken to her in over a month, but she’d know her best friend anywhere. “Ash, wait,” she whispered.
He squeezed her hand. “Don’t you think it’s time that the two of you talked?”
She looked up at him. He didn’t seem at all surprised to see Ted and Erika here. “You set this up?”
He shrugged. “Along with Ted.”
Her eyes narrowed. “And you chose the library because…?”
He grinned. “You can’t exactly get in a screaming match here, can you?”
By this time, Erika had spotted her as well. Ariadne sighed and walked over. They stood staring at each other for a second. Erika was the first to break. She reached out and pulled her into a hug. Ariadne returned it eagerly. “I’ve missed you so much,” Erika cried.
“I missed you, too. I wanted to call you, but I didn’t think you’d talk to me.”
“Same here. I’m so sorry. I’ve been an idiot. I kind of knew that this would happen all along. I always knew he was into you.”
Ariadne took a deep breath and pulled back. “Let’s sit down.” There was a table right in front of the windows and they sat beside each other. “Why didn’t you tell me that?”#p#分页标题#e#
“At first, I thought it was obvious. That you didn’t know kind of shocked me, but then it didn’t matter since you didn’t seem to like him very much.”
She grimaced. “I couldn’t let myself like him since I you were so into him.”
“I’m so sorry. Ted has been trying to reason with me, but I’ve been a dolt about it. He told me how happy the two of you were together. I haven’t been a very good friend. I should have been happy for you instead of trying to ruin a good thing for you. I’m sorry that I’ve been such a wet blanket.”
“I’m sorry I took your dream guy. If it’s any consolation, he snores.”
“I fucking do not,” Asher said in a loud whisper, dropping into a seat across from them. “I’m perfect and you know it.”
“The ego remains unchecked,” Ted said with a sigh. “So, can we go to dinner now? I’m starving.”
Erika sniffed and giggled. “I guess that means our time to catch up is over. I have so much to tell you.”
Ariadne smiled. “Me, too.”
Squeezing her hand, Erika stood. The two of them walked ahead of the men. “Ari, I can’t tell you how sorry I am. You don’t have to worry about me anymore. I love my husband. I really do. Ash is like that hot movie star you fantasize about that you know you’ll never meet. And then he gets married and you automatically hate the bitch that snagged him. Not that I’m calling you a bitch. You know what I mean. Anyway, the whole situation is complicated because I do know Ash.” They exited the library and the sun shone in their faces. “But it’s stupid of me not to have let go of this obsession sooner. And I can’t thank you enough for forgiving me. I’m the luckiest girl in the world to have people like you and Ted who stick by me even when I’m being an idiot.”
Ariadne gave her a quick hug. “Not a problem. I love you.” Asher waited for her by the side of his SUV. He held the door open for her as she approached. She kissed his cheek. “Thank you.” It was going to be a while before her friendship with Erika was back to what it was. She didn’t know when she’d feel comfortable discussing her relationship with Asher with her. They’d always been able to talk about men in the past, but raving about Asher could be potentially awkward. But this was a start. She appreciated that Asher had seen how unhappy she was and had done something to help her.
He grinned. “What are you thanking me for? The two of you would have made up sooner or later.”
She slid into the car. “Well, it seems like it was going to be much later if you and Ted hadn’t forced the issue.” He closed the door and got in behind the wheel. “So I take it you don’t have a building you want to show me?”
“Not yet. I’ve got a few possibilities. I want Dad to see them first before I make an offer on anything.” He started the car.
“I never asked, but can you afford to take this much time off work? There aren’t any cases in need of your attention?”
“I handed my cases over to my dad and another attorney. There was nothing at a critical stage that required my presence.”
They drove along in silence for a while. She could see Ted’s car ahead of them through the windshield. “I love you, Asher.”