Asher

Today was a success, but I can see Maggie is exhausted. I called Matthew to pick us up, then we headed home.

I sat up front with Matthew, and the girls sat in the back. Both fell asleep. They look like angels. Well, one does. The other prance's around looking like an angel, but she's one hell of a challenge. A temptress that is so damn stubborn, it annoys the hell out of me. She is absolutely nothing like Diara, and definitely not like Josie.

Shit, who am I kidding? This one is one of a kind, and thank God, because I'm not sure the world can handle more than one of her.

Matthew has asked one too many questions about her whereabouts last night. The man is dreaming if he thinks she will give him the time of day. He needs to back off, and he's slowly pissing me off. He needs to concentrate on doing his job, not trying to shag his boss.

It's nobody's business what she did last night and, although I'd never admit it, I've been wondering the same. She's not the type to just go home with some strange man, so if she did, I'm sure she's feeling guilt and regret. The poor thing is scared of being alone, but Matthew isn't going to be the source of comfort for her.

My blood boiled when we got home and I saw Josie's car in the driveway. I told her to back off for the time being, but she didn't fucking listen.

"Maggie, we're home." I shook her a little, and she looked around with confusion until she finally realized where we were.

Greer woke up and stretched. "Who's that lady?"

"I don't know," Maggie replied.

"I'll take care of her, you two go on in," I said.

Greer walked in, but stopped in front of Josie and stared her up and down before walking in. Internally, I had to laugh, because she reminded me of her Aunt Maggie with that princess attitude.

Josie and Maggie are polar opposites. Josie is pretty, smart, more domestic, and I could easily picture her as a mother, and she has naturally dark brown hair. Maggie, on the other hand, is naturally beautiful, with blonde hair that flows down her back, funny, intense, stubborn, selfish and, at times, selfless, kind, fun, tempting, and so fucking hot, men fall to her feet. She doesn't seem motherly at first, but she would make the best mother to any lucky child.

I walked up to Josie. "I'm not happy with you right now."

"You're pushing me away, Ash. What was I supposed to do? I agree your place is with your daughter, but it's also at home. There's no reason for you to be here with that woman." She crossed her arms.

"That woman saved my daughter, and I'm trying for a smooth and slow transition for Greer. You had no right to come here. These are my decisions to make."

"I'm your fiancé, and we should be doing this together. Not being pushed away to the side. It's supposed to be us against the world." She stared me down.

"This is about Greer. You're an adult, but she's just a little girl, and she needs me more than you right now."

She clasped my face in her hands. "Look at me, Ash. There are no more decisions for you to make alone. We are a team and I love you."

I looked into her eyes. "I don't know what I'm doing, Josie. I'm learning as I go, and I wanted to bond with her first. She's scared, and adjusting to you will be hard. I don't want her to shut down again because of you pushing your way in."

"Then why are you here with Magdalen? Greer is attached to her, and that's just as distracting."

"Maggie is leaving for L.A. on Friday, then will be back Monday. She will only be here a few days after that before she leaves for Paris. She may not be back for months. I want Greer to have some time with her before she leaves."

"Then let them have this time and come home." She demanded.

"I'm not leaving Greer, so don't even suggest it."

"I hate to do this, but you have two days to come home. With or without that child."

"Or what, Josie?"

"I don't know. You're being unfair to me with this whole situation."

"Right now my focus is on Greer. Sorry if that upsets you, but you're just going to have to accept it."

She looks at me with hurt and disappointment.

"I'm sorry Josie, you don't deserve any of this, but I can't change it."