Lyla turns to give me a hug goodbye. I squat down and wrap my arms around her, not wanting to let her go. “I love you, baby girl. Be good, okay?”
“I will, Mommy. I love you, too.”
Then she turns to Asher, reaching her tiny arms up toward the man towering over her. He kneels down and gives her a tight squeeze. “See you Sunday, kid.”
“Bye, Asher,” she murmurs, and my heart twists in my chest at the love and affection they have for one another.
The moment he releases her, Steven takes her hand and leads her down the stairs but it’s the look he gives me when he walks away that sends a chill down my spine.
Once we’re back inside, I breathe a sigh of relief but my heart is still heavy.
“You okay?” Asher asks.
I nod, my throat constricting around the tears threatening to fall. “I hate sending her with him. I hate it so much.”
He gathers me in his arms, resting his chin on top of my head. “I don’t like it either.”
Chapter 20
Asher
I can’t believe she was ever married to that piece of shit; someone as beautiful and kindhearted as Marley being tainted by that ass has anger simmering in my veins. I can’t imagine what it’s been like for her to have to deal with him alone, but she won’t be anymore. Last night it took everything I had to keep my cool and not pound his face in, but I knew that’s exactly what he wanted. And it would have been ammunition against Marley and I’m not about to let that happen.
I decide to take Marley out for dinner tonight to get her mind off everything. She’s messaged Steven more than once today to check on Lyla and while he’s responded back that she’s fine, I know Marley is still worried and won’t be able to relax until Lyla is back home tomorrow.
We walk inside the restaurant, and we are seated right away at a table overlooking the river. Candlelight flickers against the windowpane and I can’t help but smile as I pull her seat out for her. I’ve never been a romantic kind of guy. Hearts and flowers really aren’t my thing, but I find myself wanting to give her those things. I find myself wanting to give her everything.
Leaning down, I drop a kiss to her bare shoulder once she has her chair scooted up to the table. “Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?”
A deep flush stains the contours of her cheeks. “Thanks, you don’t look too bad yourself,” she replies as I take my seat across from her.
I try to keep the conversation light, talking about things like work and the weather and it’s not long before her mood shifts. She seems more relaxed and at ease. There’s a sense of pride in knowing I can instill that calmness in her. I like being someone she can lean on. Someone she can trust to help shoulder her worries or take them away. I never thought I could feel this way about a woman. That I would want to give so much of myself to someone so selflessly. But since the beginning I knew this woman would be a game changer for me. That she would change my life unequivocally.
After we finish up dinner, we decide to take a walk down by the river.
“I’ve been thinking about taking a trip to New York soon to visit my folks. I want you and Lyla to come with me,” I tell her.
