51. SCHEMES

~ Zoie’s POV ~ - - - - - Two Weeks Later - - - - - Zoie rolled over to her side as she stirred and yawned. The morning sunlight streamed through the cracks of the curtains and she realized it must be morning already. She looked from side to side expecting Asher to be asleep next to her, but he was nowhere to be found. Hmm. That’s odd. On most mornings, Asher’s face would be the first thing she sees. His arm would be wrapped around her stomach, or sometimes his legs too. Zoie got up from the bed and grabbed a cardigan from the chair, draping it over her satin nightgown. After fixing her hair in the mirror, she then stepped out of the room. She thought Asher would be standing in the kitchen because he does that sometimes. Whenever he woke up earlier than her, he’d be making her breakfast. Blueberry and banana pancakes were his forte. But when Zoie approached the kitchen counter, she saw that it was empty. Instead, she heard noises coming from Asher’s room. She followed the sounds and app