Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 54886 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54886 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
After skating, we went back to the condo and ate grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. I loved how Asher appreciated everything I cooked, even something as simple as an easy lunch. He ate two sandwiches, a huge bowl of soup, and a handful of the cookies I had made last night.
He had wanted to order in lunch, but I said no. I knew he could easily afford to order in every day, but it seemed extravagant to do so when the fridge and pantry were filled with food.
“I’m in charge of dinner, then,” he said. “No arguments.”
I saw how AJ’s eyes lit up, and I knew Chinese would be on the menu. But I didn’t argue.
After lunch, Asher and I sat on the sofa as AJ built more Lego. He glanced out the window. “Can we go skate more?”
Asher laughed. “Sure, bud.” He turned to me. “You stay here and relax. Read. Nap. Have a bath. Just enjoy a little me time. AJ and I will skate.”
Before I could protest, he lowered his head to my ear, whispering, “It’ll tire him out. Then we get tonight. I get tonight. I get you.” He pressed a kiss behind my ear.
“O-okay,” I stammered.
He stood with a grin, AJ jumping up in excitement. There was a flurry of activity, and then I was alone. The condo suddenly seemed vast. I filled the bathtub, not surprised to find that Asher had thought of bath products. I sniffed a few bottles, settling on a light citrus scent. Soon, the bathroom was filled with the fragrance, the steam gently wafting upward, beckoning. I slipped into the warm water, groaning as the heat surrounded me. I relaxed against the built-in pillow, sighing in pleasure. I couldn’t recall the last bath I’d had where I could just relax. The one in the apartment was shallow and not comfortable like this, plus, with AJ, it was hard to find time for a leisurely soak. This was a treat.
One I intended to enjoy fully.
An hour later, I was back on the sofa, book in hand. Asher’s office had a lot of books on the shelves, and he had a suspense one I had wanted to read. I made a cup of tea, and it sat beside me, the scent drifting to my nose. I was wearing one of Asher’s sweatshirts and a pair of my leggings. His socks covered my feet. I was content, cozy, and sleepy. More content than I could recall being in years. The sun was still out, and a few flakes flew around outside. AJ was with Asher and no doubt enjoying himself thoroughly. I looked around, wondering what it would be like to live like this. A warm home, a fully stocked kitchen. A car to drive. A comfortable bed.
No bus. No budgeting every penny to make sure there was enough food. Saying goodbye to piles of thin, well-worn blankets when the temperatures dropped and the heating didn’t work so well.
I shook my head to clear it. That sort of thinking was dangerous. I was grateful for what AJ and I had. I couldn’t be envious of the things we didn’t.
Clearing my thoughts, I rested my head against the soft fabric of the sofa, drifting. The sound of the elevator opening woke me, and I blinked, unsure of what I was seeing. I met a pair of familiar dark-brown eyes across the length of the condo, but it wasn’t Asher and AJ. Instead, it was a woman, holding the hand of a little girl. They both looked at me quizzically, then the woman smiled. Widely.
“You must be Rosie.”
Ten minutes later, I sat across from Asher’s sister, Suzy. She had his eyes and smile, but her features were more delicate. She was tall like him, forward, and blunt. I liked her.
Bonnie, his niece, was sweet. She didn’t have a shy bone in her body. She declared the cookies I set out delicious and informed her mother they had to get some. Then she spied the Lego being built and sat down in front of it, studying it closely.
“Does she like Lego?” I asked.
“Not as much as dolls, but she’ll give it a go. Do you want me to tell her no?”
I shook my head. “AJ and Asher won’t mind.”
Suzy sat back, picking up her tea and taking a sip. She studied me over the rim. “You have my brother tied up in knots. Acting like a crazy man.”
Before I could say anything, she grinned. “I like it. I have never seen him act like this. Out of control. Out of his depth. I can understand why. You’re very pretty.”
“Um, thank you?”
She grinned. “He is besotted.” She tilted her head. “In love, actually, I’d say.”
“Oh, no…ah…” I stumbled over my words.
She shook her head. “I know my brother. And it’s in our nature. I fell for my husband in ten minutes. I knew I was going to marry him. Asher recalls my mom saying she fell in love with my dad from across the room. It only makes sense when Asher finally fell it would be hard and fast.” She paused. “It’s kinda fun to watch from afar.”