#Chapter 41: Date Planning

Then let him date, Cynthia. Give Asher the chance to find love. Elena’s words sliced through me. Of course I cared about Asher and wanted him to be happy. But I was selfish. Knowing that he had been turning down other women gave me a deep feeling of satisfaction. Elena’s implication that he’d been doing it for me fed the possessive part of me that wanted Asher all for myself. Yet guilt and shame followed quickly on the heels of those good feelings, and suppressed them. Asher and I couldn’t be together. What right did I have to be selfish? As loathe as I was to admit it, Elena was right. To stand in the way of Asher finding love was a cruelty. He deserved better. So I gathered the scattered pieces of my heart and said, “I have no hold over Asher. We’re just friends.” Smirking, Elena placed a hand on her hip. “Is that so? Then you won’t care if I ask him out?” Jealousy flared sharp and hot in my chest, but I repressed it. “Asher can date whoever he wants.” Though I hoped he woul