CHAPTER 122: DARE TO LOVE ME What Could Happen 

Ashley 

I had barely been able to sleep. After talking to Joy and her sending me a photo of Jessie and 

Will smiling like they were in love… Was she falling for Jessie? 

But what did I care! I finished tucking my hair into my cap, did my eyebrows to give them their 

usual masculine touch, and left the room. 

I walked to the kitchen and there I saw Tino, his chin resting on his hands, looking directly at 

1. me. His face lit up with a smile. 

“I was waiting for you.” He jumped off the high chair. 

“Well, if you don’t tell me, I won’t notice,” I murmured, reaching him and hugging him. “I couldn’t 

be happier to be with you.” I took his arm and rested my head on his shoulder. 

“I’m happier.” He looked emotional and wiped away imaginary tears. 

“We’ll have breakfast here, then we’ll go to the fabric factory, and in the afternoon we’ll go to 

our shop. I would have loved to take you to Coco Mocca or Des Fleurs, but the less you’re 

seen, the better.” My friend spoke with a seriousness he rarely used, which told me how much 

he cared about me. 

I nodded, taking a bite of tortilla de patatas. Nowhere else made them like they did here. 

“Tony made it,” he pointed out as he ate. 

“I knew he was a good guy, but I didn’t think he was that good, darling,” I affirmed, and Tino 

playfully brushed his hair off his forehead. 

“I know, right? I hit the jackpot.” He said happily. “I’m getting tired of being the only one here with a partner. Are you girls going to become nuns or something? Because if so, I was reading about the Poor Clares; they have a beautiful monastery.” He moved his hands, and I laughed, shaking my head. 

“Well, it’s not a bad idea. You know I’m not planning on falling in love. Just because you got lucky doesn’t mean the rest of us will. Give me the monastery’s information.” I pointed at him with my fork, and Tino immediately waved his hand in the air and snorted in annoyance, making me laugh harder. 

“Oh my God, oh my God, you’re going to be the death of me.” He moved away from me. 

I looked at the tortilla and sighed before taking another bite. 

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CHAPTER 122: DARE TO LOVE M… 

As my dear Tino had said, first we went to the fabric factory and chose our fabrics. We also took a few samples with us to the shop. 

Tony had offered to take us, since it was his day off. He was a highly sought–after model in 

Europe, quiet and reserved, the complete opposite of Tino. They were perfect for each other. 

I opened the door to our shop and smiled to myself as I watched the girls walking around 

talking to customers. 

I entered arm in arm with Tino; I hadn’t let go of him since we left. I couldn’t. I had missed him 

so much. I smiled as I noticed that my girls didn’t recognize me and just greeted us politely. 

We entered our offices, which we hardly ever used because we worked from my house. They 

were open–plan and overlooked the shop. 

I took a seat and spun around in my white office chair, feeling happy to be here. 

“Tino, darling.” The head of the girls came in and looked at me. I smiled at her, and she looked confused for a few seconds. “Oh my God! It’s you!” She affirmed, approaching to hug me. I received her with great affection. 

“Don’t even think about shouting from the rooftops that she’s here,” Tino scolded her. “It’s 

Asher to anyone who asks.” 

“Yes, sir.” She smiled excitedly, and despite Tino’s warning, it didn’t take long for the other girls to come and greet me discreetly, while my friend rolled his eyes. 

I took the opportunity to look at Alaia’s wedding dress, which was beautiful, but I knew her well enough to know that it wasn’t the kind of dress she would wear for her dream wedding. 

“You 

“You won’t believe it, I saw Dolph Lundgren himself at that gym. I swear that place is straight out of a girl’s deepest fantasy, even though we’re not allowed in.” I told Tino as I went to sit down. My friend narrowed his eyes at me. “There are c***s everywhere you look, six–packs, blonds, brunettes… Let me tell you, I thought Mount Olympus had opened up.” I took a sip of my tea and thought about how desirable William Garnett had looked that day. I shook off the thoughts before they consumed me. 

“But I thought you were kidding, girl. How is it possible that I don’t know these places exist?” He put a hand on his hip. “We have to go.” He struck a feminine, thoughtful pose. 

“No, you’re not going, honey.” Tony’s voice made us look at him. 

“What did you say?” Tino turned to him. 

“What you heard. I know you, and I know how much your eyes wander when you see a handsome man, but allowing yourself to be surrounded by them? I’m not going there. You’re 

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CHAPTER 122: DARE TO LOVE M… 

not going, not even if Henry Cavill himself is there.” Tony spoke to him calmly and firmly. 

“You don’t trust me,” Tino spoke indignantly, and I knew him, he was determined to get his 

way. 

“We’re here, honey. You’re not going, and I don’t want to hear you mention that gym again. 

because we’re going to have a problem.” Tony showed his temper. 

“If I didn’t love you so much.” Tino pointed at him, annoyed. 

“Good afternoon.” A deep voice was heard, and we all looked in that direction. I suddenly 

tensed up when I saw three of my father’s men inside the shop. 

Tino rushed to meet them without looking back. The shop girls watched them; they were 

intimidating and handsome. There was the blond guy Tino had told us about. Who would have 

thought that I would have that kind of stallion after me? I pressed my lips together to keep 

from laughing at the thought. 

“What are you doing here again?” Tino stood up to them, and I approached Tony, keeping a 

safe distance from the men. 

“Courtesy visit,” muttered the blond, looking around the shop. His eyes lingered for a second 

on Tony and me. 

“Who do they think they are? Do they think that because they’re huge, intimidating, and desirable beasts…” The huge blond raised his eyebrows as I heard our staff giggling flirtatiously, and Tony shook his head. “…they can come in here whenever they please?” Tino 

put his hands on his hips. 

“We’re interested in your safety. Remember, we work for Miss Russell’s father. We’re interested 

in knowing who visits her.” He looked back at me. 

“Of course, and I’m a D cup. And if you’re referring to him?” Tino pointed at me calmly, and the 

man nodded. “He’s my boyfriend,” Tino stated, and the giant frowned. 

“I was under the impression that he was your boyfriend,” the blond man said, looking at Tony. 

“I have two boyfriends,” Tino clarified, raising his chin. “Don’t I, darling? Do you allow me to have two boyfriends?” Tino looked at Tony. 

“That’s right, honey,” Tony said confidently. 

My father’s men watched the three of us, and Tino snorted, turning back to me. He walked confidently and planted a kiss on me. I had no choice but to play along, so I hugged him and 

returned the kiss. Tino let go of me and turned back to the men. 

“You can go now, and remember, you’re not welcome.” 

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CHAPTER 122: DARE TO LOVE M… 

The blond man gestured with his hand, and the three of them left. 

“Such soft lips you have, darling.” Tino turned to me. “You’re wasting yourself.” I laughed, and 

we went to the workshop to continue working. 

The two weeks had flown by, and I couldn’t wait to go back. I was excited to see the kids, the girls, and I couldn’t be more excited to take Tino with me. I didn’t know why, but I had been longing to go back to Los Angeles. 

“You’re a sweetheart, Tony, thank you.” I hugged him, and he hugged me back. “I like you better 

than Tino himself,” I said playfully. 

“I heard that, I heard that.” Tino sulked. 

I was about to board the plane after Loli when I heard Tino wail. He was saying goodbye to his 

partner. Those two were in the best stage of their relationship; they looked smitten. 

“I don’t want to leave you,” Tino said dramatically. Tony just laughed; he knew him as well as I 

did. 

“Oh, come on, I’m the one who’s leaving you here. You’re delaying the trip.” 

“There you are, you b***h, stealing my moment.” We argued a little longer, and I left them 

alone. 

Finally, the two of them said goodbye, and we could leave. I watched as the landscape got smaller, and the person I least wanted to come to mind imposed himself, as he had for the 

past two weeks. 

And I dared to think about doing what had been on my mind, something I’d been denying 

myself: approaching him and trying to be friends, if he still wanted to. What could possibly 

happen?