Page 93 of Ashes

While I waited for my computer to power up, I grabbed my phone to text Valentina.

Jamal: Did you drop her off safely?

Valentina: You’re turning soft.

Jamal: Answer the question, Valentina

Valentina: She’s inside, safe and sound.

I opened my conversation thread with Sienna and sent her a message this time.

Jamal: Got there okay?

I only waited a few seconds before she answered.

Sienna: Just walked inside Fiori.

Jamal: Good.

Sienna: Was there anything else you wanted?

Jamal: You.

I groaned, berating myself for that answer.

You. What kind of lame answer is that?

Iwasturning soft.

Sienna: That’s a good answer.

I wanted to keep texting her but didn’t want to keep her from her time with her friend. So I placed my phone back onto my nightstand and forced myself to concentrate on my work.

It only partially worked.

CHAPTER 25

SIENNA

I walkedinto Fiori and shoved my phone into my purse, trying to hide the smile on my face. I never expected my husband to check if I got here, let alone for him to be so… sweet.

And I couldn’t hide the fact that I liked it.

I shot a quick glance over my shoulder to see if Valentina was still here, only to find her already gone.

We’d spent the thirty-minute drive over here in complete silence. Not that I’d expected any small talk from Valentina, but I thought she’d ask about me and Jamal after this morning.

I guessed I should be grateful for the lack of probing from her end. Unlike the interrogation I was about to be subjected to when—not if—Esra found out.

She always seemed to read me like an open book.

Speaking of which.

I spotted Esra sitting at our regular booth, her brows knitted together as she furiously typed on her phone.

“I’m here!” I said, rushing over to her.

She looked up from her phone and her previous serious expression morphed into a gleeful one. “Hey, beautiful,” she greeted me, getting out of her seat to hug me.