Page 17 of His Arranged Plus-Size Mate

“It was lovely to be here,” Hazel said, but I wasn’t sure she meant it.

I guided her to the shoes and jackets. My mother followed. “It was great that you could join us, Hazel. We should get coffee sometimes, or go out shopping. I would love to spend more time with you.”

“That would be lovely,” Hazel said, as I offered her a hand with her jacket.

“It was lovely to see you, Mom.” I kissed my mom on the cheek before I pulled the door open. Outside, the space fell quiet.

The drive home was silent, neither of us speaking. I wanted to break the silence, but the air felt tense. I knew that it was because of the dinner, but I wasn’t sure which part of it was bothering her.

Once home, we headed inside. She slipped her shoes off and tossed them aside. She turned to me, fury on her face. “How come you didn’t say anything?”

I froze, still trying to pull my boot free. “What?”

“Your father was cruel the entire dinner, and you didn’t even say anything. You just sat there and let him go on and on about how money would solve everything. That me not having a stable job or having magic somehow defined me!”

I frowned. “Because I know my father. It wouldn’t help. He is the way he is, and there is no changing that. Trust me.”

Her nostrils flared, and her lips pressed together tightly. “So, I’m just supposed to listen to him talk to me like I’m lesser?”

“He won’t do it again. And if it bothers you so much, you don’t have to go back.”

Her hands curled into fists. “You’re a coward. The fact you can’t stand up for me says a lot about you, Asher.” She turned and stormed off, and I wanted to go after her, but I didn’t. I didn’t know what I could say to make it better.

Chapter 6 - Hazel

I left the house early in the morning, not wanting to run into Asher. I was still pissed about the dinner. I couldn’t believe how his father spoke and how Asher just seemed to ignore it. He didn’t even defend me, and that was what pissed me off the most.

I know that our marriage was fake and he had no real reason to stand up for me. But I figured he would. Everyone always said he stood up for them, that he was always there when they needed him.

I parked at the grocery store, deciding some time alone and out of the house was the best idea. It was that or smash some of his framed pictures, but I thought that was a low blow.

I grabbed a shopping cart and headed inside. The double doors swung open, and I took in the quiet space. The store was always calm early in the morning. You had the other early birds who shopped, and the employees who were also in a good mood.

I went into the fresh produce section and took my time looking through the fruit. I grabbed some apples and a package of berries. I made my way to the wall of fresh vegetables and grabbed carrots and celery. I listened to the soft music that played and hummed along as I walked.

I pushed my cart down the aisle and went to the bread. I grabbed some buns and noticed they had fresh cookies out. I knew that I was going to stop at Gabriella’s place, and she absolutely loved the monster cookies they made here. I’d seen her eat an entire package in one sitting.

I smiled, fiddling with which one I wanted. I then heard my phone vibrate, and I pulled it free. I smirked, answering it. “It’s like you knew I was holding monster cookies in my hand.”

Gabriella laughed on the other end. “Are you at the grocery store? Do they have those cookies I like?”

“I am.” I placed a package into my cart. “I decided we needed groceries.”

“I’m glad I called then. Would you mind picking some stuff up for Westley and me? I forgot I was supposed to bring lunches for the guys today. And I can’t let Westley know I forgot, so I’m in a pickle.”

I chuckled, knowing that she had a lot on her plate. “What were you wanting me to pick up?”

“Stuff to make sandwiches, chips, cookies, and something to drink. I’ll take whatever you grab.”

“Yeah, I can do that.” I grabbed three more containers of cookies and placed them into the cart. “Anything else?”

“No. That should be enough for them to eat. Speaking of food, are we still on for dinner tonight? I was so excited about dinner that I forgot about lunch.”

“Oh yeah, I’m still doing dinner.”

I pushed the cart down the next aisle and headed toward the meat in the back. Gabriella went on about how busy she and the others were with keeping the barrier up.

A spark of jealousy bloomed every time she spoke about it. I ached to have that feeling, to be able to use magic again. I missed the way it warmed me, and the way I could twirl it around my fingers. It felt right.