I caught my breath as our eyes met. Ashton's gaze was unwavering, direct – just like him.

He'd always been the straightforward one, while I was standing here feeling guilty, like somehow I was the one who'd messed everything up.

"Well, what do you know. Ashton, we were just talking about you," Alex chimed in, ever the instigator.

Ashton just nodded, standing there with his perfect executive posture, not saying a word.

"Don't you want to ...