I have a lot to do before then.
Chapter six
Emma
Iawaken in the early morning and roll to my side to find the bed empty. A flash of disappointment rocks me before I shake my head. Asher runs a multi-billion-dollar company. He isn't going to lay in bed waiting for me to wake up. And, yet the anxiety about what the cold light of day might have made him re-think is enough to keep me from going back to sleep.
Stretching like a cat, I smile as I note the slight discomfort between my legs – a delicious reminder of our night together. I glance around the room looking for a note or something from Asher, but the bedside tables are empty, except for my phone.
No text message.Does he still have my number?
The thought that he might have blocked me or deleted my contact information at some point is sobering.
I throw the covers to the side, and pad across the plush carpet to the walk-in closet. Inside, my dress hangs neatly; my lace bra looped over the hook. Besides a cozy robe that makes me want to draw a bath, there are no other clothes in this room, so I pull on my dress from last night and head to the en suite bathroom.
The bathroom is prepared for guests. I rip open the plastic on a new toothbrush and find some toothpaste. After splashing water on my face, I look at myself in the mirror.
The longer I'm here, the more my anxiety takes over, and I begin processing my feelings from last night. He said he loved me, but why isn't he here? What are we going to do about Donovan? The thought of my ex-husband makes me nauseous, and I fight the urge to run. Oh god. We didn't use a condom. I'm not on birth control. I slide to the floor, desperately trying to slow my breathing and ward off the imminent panic attack. After a few moments, I manage to get a better grip on my emotions.
I need to talk to Asher.
If I've learned anything from therapy, it's that communication is not just desirable for a healthy relationship – it's essential. I'll simply ask Asher what he wants. And, if that is no relationship at all, then I will deal with it... or wither away from a broken heart.
Either scenario will require you to leave the room first.
I hunt for my panties, but they are nowhere to be found. Going commando on my walk of shame. Super.
I crack open the door to the guest room, glancing either way down the empty hall. My heels make a loud clicking noise on the hardwood, but I remind myself I'm not sneaking out, so let him hear me coming.
"Asher?" I call out, but there is no response. My fight or flight is kicking in and I have to force myself to walk past the frontdoor and into the kitchen. What greets me there stops me dead in my tracks.
Vases of flowers cover almost every surface of the kitchen. Roses, lilies, daisies, peonies, dahlias, orchids - you name it, the flower is here. A ridiculously large teddy bear wearing a bow tie sits in one of the chairs at a table laden with delicious piles of pastries, including, a stack ofSwedish Flop Tarts, from my favorite bakery downtown. The table is set, a cloche covering the plate in front of the teddy bear, and the smell of breakfast reminds me of weekends as a kid.
Behind the rows of flowers, Asher is busy at the stove. His hair is tousled, but he's singing softly to himself as he scrambles a pan of eggs. He wears a white t-shirt and grey sweatpants, looking for all intents and purposes like the book boyfriend of my dreams.
Am I in heaven? Did I have an aneurism at some point last night or is this really happening? Oh god, if I died in that bar last and everything after has all been some afterlife vision, I hope I never find out the truth.
"Asher!" I call to him when I find my voice, but he doesn't turn around. I walk closer and notice his earbuds. I sit at the counter, watching him work. At one point, he uses the spatula as a microphone and spins, seeing me for the first time.
"Oh fuck!" Asher pulls an earbud out and grins at me when I applaud his performance. "Good morning, my lady."
My face feels like it's going to split from the size of my smile, and I realize it's because I haven't used those muscles in a very long time.
"Good morning." I eye his sexy sweatpants, and the bulge in front. When I bounce my gaze up to his, he wiggles his eyebrows and winks at me.
"Plenty of time for that after you eat." He reaches for a plate, depositing a large helping of eggs and brings it over to the table. "Come, sit down."
He scoots the stuffed bear to another chair and then pulls the seat out for me. I sit down, eyeing the two plates in front of me and look at him questioningly. Asher grins, lifting the cloche to reveal a glittering diamond necklace. My eyes go wide and I gasp.
"It's beautiful," I breathe, looking up at him and he grins. He fastens it to me.
"Sorry I didn't have other clothes for you. My shopper will be here in about an hour, and you can pick anything you like." He hustles back to the stove and fixes himself a plate. He sits in the chair next to me, taking a large forkful of eggs before he reaches for my hand.
"Aren't you hungry?"
I nod vigorously. "This is incredible."
"It's a Valentine's redo," he says, lifting my hand to give me a sweet kiss against my knuckles.
