Page 110 of Faking All the Way
“There’s an ice carving competition happening downtown today that I want to check out. I think it sounds fun. We could?—”
Before I can really get into pitching the ice carving thing to him, a knock at the door interrupts me.
Asher frowns, setting down his coffee. “Are you expecting someone?”
“No.” I shake my head, confused. “It’s barely nine in the morning.”
I get up and head into the foyer, wrinkling my nose at the thought that it might be Daniel again.
But it’s not.
When I open the door, I don’t recognize the woman standing on the porch. She’s beautiful, tall and willowy, with the kind of effortless elegance that seems to come naturally to some people. Her blonde hair falls in waves past her shoulders, and her makeup is flawless even at this hour, subtle but expertly applied.
“Oh, hi,” she says, her voice bright and friendly. She looks at the address numbers on the front of the cabin, like she’s worried she came to the wrong place. “I’m so sorry to bother you. I’m looking for Asher Vaughn? Is this the right place?”
I feel Asher step up behind me, and when he speaks, there’s shock in his voice.
“Alexis.”
My stomach drops. I know that name. His ex. The one who sold stories about him to tabloids, who betrayed his trust for money and fifteen minutes of fame.
Alexis’s face lights up when she sees him, her smile becoming even brighter. “Oh, you are here! I heard in town that this was where you were staying.” She beams at him, her whole demeanor changing. “Congratulations on the Denver deal, by the way. That’s such incredible news. I read that interview with you where you mentioned you were in Maplewood for the holidays, and I just had to stop by.”
I glance from Asher to Alexis, still stunned by his ex’s sudden appearance on our doorstep. Asher seems equally thrown, his face blank and unreadable.
“I was in Richmond visiting family for Christmas,” Alexis explains. “And when I realized you were so close, I couldn’t resist stopping by. I hope that’s okay. I know it’s early, but I wanted to catch you before you got busy with your day.”
She finally glances at me again, really looking at me this time. Her eyes take in the borrowed shirt that’s clearly too big for me, my bare face with no makeup, my hair that’s probably still messy from sleep and sex. The look in her eyes is quick but assessing, and nowhere near as warm as her smile.
“Hi,” she says, holding out a dainty hand. “I’m Alexis McKenzie.”
“Kat.” I shake it. “I’m Asher’s girlfriend.”
“Oh, how lovely to meet you!” Her smile doesn’t waver, but something flickers in her expression. “I’m an old friend of Asher’s. We go way back.”
Old friend. That’s one way to put it.
She looks at Asher again, her expression hopeful and bright. “I was actually hoping I could steal you for a bit. Maybe take you out for coffee? There’s that cute place downtown I saw. I’d love to catch up properly. It’s been so long since we’ve talked.”
Asher’s expression hardens slightly. His jaw tightens, and when he speaks, his voice comes out clipped. Polite but distant. “I’ve got plans for the day. Things I need to take care of.”
A flash of disappointment crosses Alexis’s face, so quick I almost miss it. But she covers it quickly, her smile never faltering. “Oh, of course. I should have called first. I’m sorry for just dropping by like this.”
“It’s fine,” Asher says, but his tone suggests it’s anything but.
“Well, I’m staying at the Smithwick Inn over in Richmond for a few days. But I’ll probably spend today exploring Maplewood. It’s such an adorable town. So quaint and charming.”
The way she says “quaint and charming” makes it sound like “small and provincial,” but her tone is so friendly I wonder if I’m reading too much into it.
Asher just nods stiffly. “Okay.”
He doesn’t offer anything more than that, just stands there with his hand on the doorframe, clearly not inviting her in. Another reaction darts across Alexis’s face—surprise, maybe, or annoyance. But she covers it smoothly, as if she’s had practice hiding her real feelings.
“Well, I’ll get out of your hair,” she says, stepping forward with her arms open. “It was so good to see you, Asher.”
She hugs him, and he stiffens, not reciprocating. The embrace lasts maybe two seconds, then she finally steps away, turning back to me.
“Nice to meet you! Your place is so cute, by the way,” she says, gesturing at the cabin. “Very cozy.”
