Drew scowled. “We’ll see. I’ll get back to you this week and let you know my final decision.”
“Can we talk for one second?” Ash gestured with his head to an empty bench. “Rachel, would you excuse us?”
“Sure.” Her uncertain smile flashed for a brief moment. “I’ll, uh, go start picking out the fruit for you, D.”
He nodded and followed Ash to the bench, choosing to sit as far away from him as possible without looking too obvious. “You’ve charmed my sister, which is no easy feat. But—”
“But you still think I’m nothing more than the guy you saw in a hallway getting a blowjob by the waiter, right?”
Ash’s glittering eyes captured the green of the leaves, the blue of the sky, and the brown of the trees, reflecting back at Drew the emotion he held within. Making it impossible for Drew to look away.
“Are you?” Drew held his breath. Footsteps pounded past them, and laughter drifted through the sweet, late spring air as the crowds in Union Square Park walked by. No one paid them much attention, but for Drew, for whatever reason he couldn’t fathom, this conversation became as imperative as breathing.
“Look, Drew, we barely know each other, and you’ve already been prejudiced, not only by your friend but by what you saw the other night. I want you to know, though, that I have my own reason for helping those kids.” He shifted his gaze, focusing on the sidewalk. His black hair swung forward, hiding his face from view. “It’s, uh, too personal to get into now, but I would never, never do anything to hurt any of those kids.” He pulled his hair off his face. “They deserve every chance to live their life.”
What struck Drew—and changed his mind right then about Asher Davis—was the raw and obvious pain in the man’s voice. Whether or not Ash revealed his past, it was clear to Drew this man had suffered greatly in his life. It explained so much about him. A stranger still, yet Drew could sense Ash’s need to be wanted and liked by everyone. It all made sense now, the grasping anonymous sex with men he barely knew and the air of untouchable loneliness he carried with him.
“Hey.” Drew placed his hand on Ash’s shoulder, but to his surprise Ash quickly pulled away. That brief touch, however, gave rise to emotions so intense it rattled Drew to his core.
What the hell is that about?
“You don’t need to talk about it. I can admit it was wrong of me to make a hasty decision. I can see now, my opinion of you was mistaken. I have to get back to Rachel, but I would like you to work with us. I’ll call you?”
His question hung in the air as Ash continued his study of the ground beneath his feet. After a moment, Drew noted the slight jerk of Ash’s head, an acceptance of his words. “Good. We’ll talk. So long, Ash.”
Without waiting for a reply, he left Ash sitting on the bench, all alone in a sea of strangers.
Chapter Five
“Let’s raise our glasses to my parents and the realization of a dream come true.” Drew held up his glass and, with his arm around Rachel, smiled at the group of people who’d made this night possible. “To the Audrey and Maxwell Klein Home Away From Home Clinic.” He drained his glass of champagne and immediately poured another. His apartment might be small and crowded, but it was filled with the people he cared most about in the world. His sister; their grandmother who sat, wiping the tears from her eyes and smiling her sweet smile at him; his two best friends, Mike and Jordan, who was, of course, with his partner, Keith. Also included in their circle now was Peter and his pretty wife, Lisa, as well as Asher Davis. For the past two months while construction was going on, Peter and Ash had helped with getting all the legalities in order, and Peter’s father’s influence had helped with all the necessary permits. His contractor, Jason Mallory, and Jason’s partner, Ryder Daniels, had shown up at the party as well.
Drew moved through the groups of his friends, trying to get through to speak with Nana, but to his amazement, when he got to her chair, she was sitting and laughing with none other than Ash.
“Drew, darling, why haven’t you ever introduced me to this handsome young man before?” Her blue eyes twinkled as her lips curved in a smile. “He’s been so sweet to sit here with me, telling me naughty jokes.”
Ash took her hand and kissed it, then placed a finger to his lips. “Shh, Esther. That was supposed to be between us.” He winked, and she laughed out loud.
“You, young man, are what was known as a rogue in my day.” She winked back at him. “I’ve always had a thing for the bad boys.”
“Nana?” Drew stood, dumbfounded by the scene in front of him. Was this his fierce, independent Nana, flirting with a man over fifty years her junior?
“Yes, dear. Can I help you with something?” She didn’t take her eyes off Ash, and for some reason that irked him.
“Well, no, I wanted to say hello to you and invite you down to the clinic to give you a tour.”
That got her attention. She took his hands in her little ones and squeezed them. “Your parents would’ve been so proud of you, and I know that they are looking down at you and your sister with all the love they have for you and Rachel.”
His heart hurt. Physically. He coughed to try and relieve the pressure in his chest, but it didn’t help. The second glass of champagne slid down his swollen, dry throat. “Thank you, Nana. I still miss them. Every single day.” Hanging his head, he felt her hand stroke his face.
“I do too. But they are here with us, giving us strength. If I didn’t believe that, I couldn’t get up in the morning.”
Ash handed him another drink. “Go on, take it. Seems like you need it. Let go for once.”
Drew held his silvery gaze and smiled. “Thanks, man. I think I do need it, and I’ll take my lawyer’s advice.”
“Is it true that you’re actually the lawyer for that horrible woman? The one who broke my grandson’s heart?” She shot Ash a stern look, and Drew had to laugh. He patted her hand.
“Don’t worry, Nana; she hardly broke my heart. It was a simple agreement, no fighting, and in a few months we’ll be finished.”
