Ava
By the time Eric’s truck disappeared around the corner, I was still smiling.
Dinner with Eric and Cleo had been exactly what I’d needed. For a few hours, I’d forgotten about the tension at home, forgotten about my brother’s constant scrutiny, and simply enjoyed being around people who didn’t make me feel like I was walking on eggshells.
Cleo had cooked spaghetti Bolognese, garlic bread, and potato bake, and somehow, every mouthful had tasted better than the last.
I could finally understand why Eric adored her cooking.
She was genuinely good at it.
More importantly, she was genuinely good.
And that was something Asher seemed determined to ignore.
I waved goodbye as Eric drove away with Cleo beside him, then turned toward home.
The moment I stepped through the front door, the wa
