My stomach growled in response. “You brought me roach coach food?” I asked. Portland had some of the best food cart eats on the planet. I had an adventurous palate, but Addison refused to put anything into her body that came from the mobile kitchens she not-so-lovinglyreferred to as roach coaches. Since I didn’t like to eat alone, roach coach food was a rare treat.
Instead of answering me, he picked up the bag and headed toward the reception sofa, where he unloaded mysterious containers of deliciousness onto the coffee table. Each one smelled better than the last, making it impossible to focus on my laptop.
“I didn’t know what you’d want, so I got beef,chicken, vegetables, rice...” He added a little container to the stack. “And extra sauce.”
There was still an unmended bridge between us, but I had to hand it to the guy...he was trying. And I was hungry. While he laid out paper plates and plastic silverware I swallowed back my pride and stood. He patted the couch, inviting me to sit beside him.
I wanted to, but first I needed to make surehe wouldn’t misinterpret our lunch as some sort of submission to his ridiculous insistence that Addison and I give up on our career. “What’s all this?” I asked.
Asher frowned. “Bento. From one of the food carts—”
“No, I mean I haven’t heard from you for four days, and then you show up with lunch? What’s going on?”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m an Allen, and despite the deep disappointmentsuch actions would bring upon my family, I’m trying to apologize. Will you please come sit by me?”
Fighting a smile, I joined him on the sofa and he scooted closer to me until our knees were touching. Warmth spread up my leg from the contact. He took my hand in his and gave it a little tug. Wondering what he was up to, I looked into his eyes.
“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking over the pastfew days,” he started. “Your case was pretty rough on me. Knowing you had to spend a couple nights in jail was one thing, but seeing you in that hospital bed...twice...” He shook his head. “That was brutal.”
I opened my mouth to say something, but he held up a hand.
“Let me finish. I know you and Addie have worked hard to get where you are. I realize you’re both intelligent, capable women, whooften surprise those of us who foolishly underestimate you. And I’m sorry for being such a douchebag.”
I couldn’t help but smile.
He squeezed my hand. “But I can’t turn off this thing inside me that wants to protect and care for you, so I’ve been racking my brain, searching for ways your business can succeed without putting your lives in danger. Being a criminal defense attorney, I sometimesneed the services of private investigators, but lately my cases have been high-profile, and I...I can’t.”
Again, I started to argue, and he cut me off.
“Some of the criminals they have me working with wouldn’t hesitate to harm anyone caught snooping in their business. I know it’s not fair or right, but if I sent you two on a case and you got hurt, I’d never forgive myself. I’m just being honesthere. But I do have another option. A friend from law school recently started his own practice and is looking for a PI. It wouldn’t be anything glamorous. You’d probably spend most of your time hiding out and snapping photos of people cheating on their spouses. But it would be a great way to get your foot in the door and build references.”
I could hardly believe my ears. Asher...my sexy, funny,sweet, loving, protective Asher...was putting his reputation on the line because he believed in us. A lump formed in my throat.
Clearly mistaking my inability to speak, he hurried on, “Not glamorous, but you would be catching cheaters, which would give new purpose to Addison’s life.”
It was no secret how much my bestie despised people who felt the need to cheat on their significant others.She’d probably shoot them if it wasn’t illegal.
“Think about it and talk it over with Addie. Ethan Sinclair is the name of the attorney. I gave him your office number, and he plans to call later this week.”
Even though Asher was concerned about our safety, he did believe in us. And he wanted to help. My eyes stung, burning away all the worry and frustration I’d felt over the past months. Addisonwas right, we could do this, and I wouldn’t even lose Asher in the process. I threw my arms around his neck and squeezed him close.
“Thank you, Ash. You have no idea how much this means to me. How much it means to both of us. Addie is gonna be over the moon.”
He chuckled, the sound rumbling his chest that was still pressed against my own. “I know. I’m pretty much the best brother and boyfriendever.”
Boyfriend. It was the first time either of us had put a title on our relationship. I leaned back so I could study his expression and make sure he wasn’t messing with me. The sincerity in his eyes did crazy things to my stomach. “Boyfriend, huh?”
In answer, he closed what little distance there was between us, kissing me senseless. I was practically on top of him when the door opened. Ijumped away and straightened my top as Addison walked in, mumbling something about Jake getting called away for work. Then she froze, looked from us to the uneaten food on the table, and glared at me.
“I told you not to cave!” she said.
“Relax, Sis,” Asher said, reaching for my hand again. “I was simply telling Dylan about the referral I just gave you.”
Addison’s eyes lit up. “Referral?”
I giggled, unable to control my giddiness. “Yep. I hope you’ve got a good camera, Addie, because we’re gonna go nail some cheaters.”
Asher was watching me. He raked a hand through his hair and shook his head. “I hope I’m not making a big mistake.”
