“She doesn’t like to drive anymore,” Eliana said. “What are you going to tell her?”
He opened up his text messages and debated. This was the thing he both loved and hated about The Palms. Everyone was in his business—but also, he had people who cared enough about him to be in his business. Definitely a double-edged sword.
“If I fess up that I’m not really sick, will she turn me in?”
“Grandma Winnie isn’t a snitch. She’s covered for me loads of times.”
“For what?” he asked. He could see a younger Eliana getting into all kinds of scrapes. She had that impulsivity that was both exciting and nerve-wracking.
“I’ll tell you, if you tell me what your tattoo is .”
He leveled her with a bemused glare. He didn’t actually care if she knew what his tattoo was, but it was intriguing to him how curious she seemed to be about it. It made him want to continue teasing her.
So instead of answering, he called up Winnie to confess that he’d faked sick.
Eliana silently groaned and pretended to fall back against the wall, like he’d devastated her. He covered his mouth before she could see his amusement. No use in encouraging her or she might endlessly provoke him.
“Well,” Winnie said, “I already made the soup. I’ll have Eliana bring it by anyway.” He put Winnie on speaker so Eliana could hear. She sat up and scooted even closer, and all his thoughts scattered.
“Uhhh …” Winnie. Soup. “You don’t have to do that.”
“I want to. You’re in Diamond Cove right?”
“I am, but I’m cleaning my grandpa’s bungalow today.”
“Oh,” Winnie said, sounding surprised. “I’ll have her bring it there.”
“That works. I’ll keep an eye out for her.” Did he sound too relieved? “Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome.” Winnie paused. “You know, Eliana is a very nice girl.”
Oh. My. Gosh,Eliana mouthed, clamping her hand down on his arm.
“She is,” Asher agreed.What?he mouthed back.
Winnie continued, “And so pretty.”
“I agree.” He shrugged at Eliana who was low-key, silently freaking out with exaggerated pained expressions.
“She’s had a tough few years,” Winnie said, “but she’s strong. Always manages to get back on her feet. I just want her to be happy.”
Eliana ran her hands down her cheeks like she was in a horror movie, and he gave her a questioning look.
“She seems really happy to me.” Was he saying the right thing? Eliana nodded wildly, like he was.
“Maybe.” She sighed. “You’re a therapist. Could you talk to her?”
“I’m a speech therapist.”
“Oh, I know, hon. It would mean a lot to me.”
“I’m really not that kind of thera—”
“She’s so easy to talk to. I think you two would have a lot to say to each other. I’d better call her so she can get over there.”
Winnie hung up before he could respond. The second his phone went dark, Eliana screamed.
He blinked and took her in. She was clearly distressed.
