Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 129110 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 646(@200wpm)___ 516(@250wpm)___ 430(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129110 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 646(@200wpm)___ 516(@250wpm)___ 430(@300wpm)
"That's not-"
"I won't be played for a fool." He stands and walks around the table. I cower as he leans in. Then a flash goes off, his mouth right against my ear. "The world will know I fucked the same girl as Asher Montgomery, and how worthless she really is."
Shit.
The past few days I've been in panic mode. As a last resort I sign the NDA. I don't know exactly what Travis has planned, but hopefully it's not too late and this will fix everything. It's waiting on my dresser for when Asher arrives, which should be any minute.
My family is waiting too.
My whole family.
Thirty people. Aunts, Uncles, Cousins. Two sets of grandparents.
All on pins and needles waiting for the front door to open.
I want to crawl into a closet and hide.
Per the agreement everyone signed there are to be no cameras present. Cell phones were handed over upon entry. I stare at where they sit in a box near the door, glancing out the window like everyone else. Only I'm waiting for cameras or reporters to show up because Travis told them where I live.
Though he doesn't know I'm here.
He has no idea where I'm living nowadays.
I'm not sure that matters.
All these formalities and details my family had to sign for something that likely won't matter in the end. Not once Travis is done doing whatever he has planned.
Suddenly there's an audible gasp as the front door opens. The younger ones squeal.
Little Elle making friends with hot shot celebrities! How exciting! Aunt Ruby comments.
Friends. Not boyfriend.
Seems like all the agreements left that part out.
Travis had a point to a certain extent. Maybe I am a transactional whore.
Look at him walking in like he owns the place.
That was Aunt Marsha. She's easily impressed and constantly vocalizes her observations with zero filter.
And yet she's not wrong. Asher does walk in like it's his home, but no one knows that, so I can see how it looks weird. They don't know about the dresser of things he keeps in the guestroom, or the toothbrush under the sink.
I think Mom may have said something to Aunt Zara once. I overheard her on the phone around his second time here. I glance over. She flashes a knowing smile.
Great.
Well the cameras don't lie. That ass is hot.
Leave it to Aunt Sarah. Uncle David agrees.
Jesus.
Asher barely makes it a few steps in before the female cousins pounce.
I'm embarrassed by the amount of aunts that do too.
Sixty year olds.
Asher looks to me for help but I offer none.
I'm the worst.
Eventually he peels himself away and stops in front of me.
God it's been a while.
Awkward conversations in between long talks. Little laughs. Lots of longing. Covert lawyers apparently sending documents to those they shouldn't. An out for revenge ex-boyfriend.
Everyone is watching.
We hug.
"Sorry about all this," I sigh.
He pulls back and smiles. Then his hand brushes my cheek.
I freeze, recognizing the look in his eye. I start to shake my head but I'm too late. His mouth lands on mine.
Fiercely.
I only briefly melt before pulling back in panic.
All the eyes.
"Asher, everyone just saw that!"
"Good," he smiles. "Now they all know that you're mine." He licks his lips and kisses me again.
"I'm starting to see why everyone on your team hates me. You're completely reckless." Still, I blush.
Agreements be damned, it's moments like these I'll remember forever. It's this side of him that makes it all worth it, and no matter what I know I'll never regret and always remember the too small time I held Asher Montgomery’s heart. I'll never forget how my heart skipped a beat and my stomach got caught in my throat. How he grabbed my side, his fingers gentle but firm. How the touch of his lips felt, and how his look mirrored his words.
I was his.
I try to push past everything. I try to enjoy these moments, and the evening.
It's late by the time everyone leaves. Usually we have the house full overnight, but Mom didn't want anyone staying and bugging Asher. It was already weird enough as is. There was lots of staring and questions, but no hiding. I didn't have to pretend to be anything I wasn't. Tonight he was my Asher and I was his Elle. He was my guy with the carefree smile, who kissed me and pulled me onto his lap even in a room full of people.
Tonight we were happy.
Once the house was quiet, magical filled the air. I got that butterfly lurching feeling in my stomach as he took my hand and lead me upstairs. I knew if I looked in the mirror I'd see my eyes twinkling in that adoring sort of way.
"I have something for you," he smiles.
I smile too, even though I already know what it is. I don’t have the heart to tell him that yesterday I saw the photos of him at the jewelry store buying the heart necklace. It created havoc as the world began to speculate who it was for. It's partly why I've been so nervous Travis would choose today to do something.