Ashina’s pov

I took a deep breath, my emotions threatening to spill over. “Avoiding you? No, Nathan. I’m just taking a day for myself. Everyone needs a break now and then, don’t they?” I tried to keep my tone light, but I knew he could see through my facade.

Nathan’s eyes narrowed, and I could see the wheels turning in his mind. “Ashina, I know you. Something’s off. What’s going on?”

I pulled my hand away gently, turning back to the potatoes. “Nothing’s going on, Nathan. ...