In Love, Never Say Never

Everyone froze. After a few moments, Ashton coldly surveyed our ensemble. His gaze landed on John’s hand, maintaining its tight grip on mine, and lingered. Without betraying any hint of emotion, Ashton said coolly, “Wasn’t it enough for you to take Audrey away? You had to come back and take Scarlett too, hadn’t you? Did you think I’d stand idly by and let you do that?”

John laughed in derision. Narrowing his eyes, John looked at Ashton with evident contempt.

Ashton, however, did not take the bait. He slowly shifted his gaze to Audrey, who was still perched on John’s arms. Ashton’s gaze softened. Gently, he cooed, “Audrey!”

Audrey’s face burst into an expression of rapturous joy. Squirming in John’s arms, she proclaimed, “Mr. Fuller, you’re so handsome!”

We were all rather nonplussed by Audrey’s sudden confession. Bemused, I reflected, Is this really the best time to be talking about looks?

The charged atmosphere was abruptly reduced to a state of awkwardness.

John’s face looked glum. Meanly, he snapped at Audrey, “Audrey, what did I teach you?”

“I remember now!” Audrey’s features were squished in a moment of intense concentration. Suddenly, she raised her finger and intoned, as if she was reciting her lessons, “Other than Uncle John, any other men who are handsome are bad men!”

head in satisfaction. He gestured dismissively at Ashton, then turned to look at Audrey solemnly. “I’ll give you another

O. Proudly, she hollered, “You’re a bad

Audrey, however, his eyes never once

mild surprise. Does this mean that besides John, no other man

can really manifest in

skit he’d just witnessed. Beaming brightly at Audrey, he said in a mellow, cajoling tone, “Audrey, it’s Daddy!

immediately tried to intervene,

Audrey’s ears instantly pricked up. Wide-eyed with delight, she

“Of course.” “No!”

John answered Audrey both at once. The difference between the two men could not be starker. John had spoken vehemently, his eyes wild. He looked as if he was on the verge of erupting with

Entirely blasé about John’s indignation, he continued, this

he spoke, Ashton threaded his arms beneath Audrey’s, coolly