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!”

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

into a perfect O. Proudly, she hollered, “You’re a

buy you a new dress when we get home,” John said approvingly. Even as he teased Audrey, however, his eyes never once left Ashton’s face. The two men continued staring defiantly at each

mild surprise. Does this mean that besides John, no other man in this world can talk

 Men’s egos can really manifest in the oddest

utterly unfazed by the ridiculous skit he’d just witnessed. Beaming brightly at Audrey, he said in a mellow, cajoling tone, “Audrey, it’s Daddy! Are you sure you don’t want a

tried to intervene,

pricked up. Wide-eyed with

“Of course.” “No!”

be starker. John had spoken vehemently, his eyes wild. He

given his answer confidently, with a look of serene assurance on his face. Entirely blasé about John’s indignation, he continued, this time extending both his

arms beneath Audrey’s, coolly lifting her