He's not. It's cause 80% of the perspective is Karlyle's. So we already don't see much from Ash's POV. When we do it's in later chapters which just adds to it feeling that he's hiding something.) the little we see of Ash's POV, is in later chapters. I know he seems too good to be true... but he's green. Id you already read further and the blonde is Hazel.. Ash is confronting him about his rumour spreading, or something like that.. can't remember.

Omg ash feels so sus..??? Why is that blonde ho nodding at him like that