Page 19 of His Arranged Plus-Size Mate

“Then what were you doing?” He asked, his head tilted slightly to the right now. His eyes narrowed on her.

“I was just…” She didn’t know how to finish the sentence because, in the end, she would be lying. “I was just saying she knows where she belongs. She belongs here. In this pack.”

Asher’s fingers tighten on my side, and he clicks his tongue. “That is exactly right. She belongs in this pack, and if I catch word that you’re bothering her again, trying to tell her otherwise, I’ll be sure to slip this tidbit of information to Jade. I’m sure she could find a realtor who is eager to step into your shoes.”

Rachael’s face went red, and she grabbed her cart, pushing it away. I took a breath in, feeling his hand slide free. He stepped out of my space and sighed. “Well, I have great timing.”

I frowned, angry now. I had so many questions. “Why are you here?”

He frowned. “Westley called me and asked if I could grab lunches for him. He said he was pretty sure Gabriella forgot and figured he would bring them himself.”

“I was getting the lunches for her, and I had everything under control.”

He frowned. “Why are you getting short with me?”

“Because you don’t know how to stay out of my business,” I snapped.

He looked confused now. “I don’t understand. Because yesterday, I was a coward and an asshole because I didn’t stick up for you, and now that I have, I don’t know how to stay out of your business. Which is it, Hazel?”

I curled my hands around the cart. “Leave me alone, Asher!”

I pushed the cart away, feeling angry at the world. But I could hear his footsteps following me.

“Hazel, you are not going just to storm off every time we have a conversation.”

I ignored him and headed to the checkout. I hated how he followed me by just a step behind. I checked out, moving as quickly as I could. I glared at him every few items, waiting for him to give up and go away. But he didn’t. He just stood there and watched.

He grabbed the bags before I could, and I curled my hands into fists. “Would you just leave?”

“No.”

I turned and marched out, him following just behind me. I wished I hadn’t walked to the grocery store once outside. I headed down the sidewalk.

I stopped after a few yards and turned to him. “Why? Why are you doing this?” I threw my arms out. “What exactly are you getting out of this?”

“I’m being nice.”

I laughed. “Oh yeah. You’re so nice in front of everyone else, but when it matters the most, you decide to just let shit happen.”

“That is not true.”

“Oh, but it is.” I moved closer to him. “You said nothing while at dinner with your parents, but you had to appear caring in front of the girls. You don’t actually care about me or what goes on in my life.”

“Jesus, do you have to think everyone is out to get you? You can’t accept that maybe there are people in this world who actually care?”

I stared at him, aching to hit him. I turned and continued to march down the sidewalk. His footsteps followed.

“I understand you have it rough, but that doesn’t mean we can’t get along. I’m not out to hurt you or to make your life harder. I want to help, believe it or not.”

“You’re only doing all of this because you were asked!” I snapped and turned back to him. “We shouldn’t have even gotten married. None of this should be happening.”

His face fell, and he frowned. He seemed to freeze on what to say before he shrugged. “Well, there is no point in dwelling on the past. We can’t change it. So, might as well move forward. You might as well accept that I’m here to stay.”

I hated how easily he said it, as if it were just another thing. But it wasn’t that simple.

I turned and continued to walk. I didn’t want to fight with him because I felt like I’d been fighting forever.

Chapter 7 - Asher