Ashton’s POV
I felt reluctant to drop Moana. Every glance we exchanged in the car eased some of the tension
I carried. Each time our eyes met in the rearview mirror, something inside me calmed, like her
presence alone could push my worries aside. But it didn’t last. The relief was temporary. I knew I
was heading straight into a headache, and there was no way avoiding it.
The drive ended quickly. We pulled up, and I stepped out, scanning the crowd. Several guys
stood around, talking casually, laughing with each other.
I turned to Nadine.
“Why are there guys here? You said just your friends.
”
She frowned, her confusion mirrored mine.
“I… I don’t know.
”
Her voice was tight, defensive, like she was trying to process what she was seeing too. She
pulled out her phone and called o
