Chapter 19

Meadow’s POV

The doors had just slid open, and walking so casually through them, was Alaric Ashford, wearing a black suit that would’ve made my mouth water if my tongue didn’t feel so dry.

He looked terrifyingly calm and controlled. And the smirk playing at the edge of his lips was anything but casual. 

It was calculated. Dangerously calculated.

Nova, who had been gearing up for another rant, visibly froze in her spot.

“Ho—ly shit,” Nova whispered under her breath. “Those fucking internet pictures did not do him justice.”

I didn't say anything. I couldn’t. I was too busy trying to decode the look in Alaric’s eye. He wasn’t smiling—he never smiled, but he wasn’t unreadable either. His gaze landed on me and my stomach twisted.

“Hello, Nova,” he said, nodding in her direction.

Nova blinked, looking every bit as mesmerized as I was. “Uh. Hi.”

“I appreciate you being here with her,” he added politely, stretching