Lara Sophia 
Ashley Darby reveals how her soon-to-be ex-husband Michael Darby feels about her budding romance with Summer House star Luke Gulbranson.
According to the Real Housewives of Potomac star, her relationship with Luke wasn’t on Michael’s radar until a few weeks ago when a photo of them at a Capitals hockey game in Washington, D.C., caused a frenzy on social media.
“So Michael has seen Luke,” she confessed on this week’s episode of Page Six’s “Virtual Reali-Tea” podcast.
“It’s probably not his wallpaper on his phone, for sure,” she notes, adding that Michael isn’t “too fond” of her and Luke dating.
Ashley admits she knew the photo might not sit well with Michael but decided to do it any, noting that he is “living his best life,” so why shouldn’t she?
“Luke and I, we did a little conference and were like, ‘Should we really take this picture?’” she recalled. “Because we’re both being a little bit private about this, you know? So he was like, ’Should we?’ And I was like, ‘Eh, why not?’ So we took the picture.”
“Let’s be fair; he’s an attractive man,” she said. “I know he’s a little bit older, but he’s still got his personality, and his business is thriving. So Michael, even though this is a difficult time for him too — as he’s told me — he’s doing his thing; he’s floating like a butterfly.”
As for her relationship with Luke, Ashley explained that it’s “still fresh” after only a month of dating long distance. She notes that she wants to get to know him as a friend.
“I do really want to get to know him first, and we really are friends. Like, when I tell you we’re establishing a friendship, I’m not even exaggerating that,” she explained.
She adds that it is “nice” to be with a fellow Bravoleb who can understand what she goes through living her life on reality TV.
“Honestly, it’s just a little bit refreshing for me, too, to be connecting with someone who also — you know, being in this sphere — understands this life,” she added.
The Real Housewives of Potomac airs on Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo.
