“What a day, huh?” he joked. “Ava in her room?”
I nodded, and Marlene appeared back at our feet. “I’ll get the full story out of Asher when he comes in to help at the shop next week,” I said with a chuckle.
Rory took a seat on the couch, and I joined him. He adjusted his glasses as he sat down, then shrugged. “Or perhaps we could have dinner with him again? Take him on a proper date?”
I startled. “A date?”
Rory nodded. “He’s already met Ava, and the poor guy has kind of been put through the wringer, if you think about it. Not to mention, you and I both have been thinking about it.”
I lowered my voice. “Rory, I’m surprised. You’re normally so cautious.”
Rory laughed warmly, then laid his hand on my thigh, patting me. “I was just thinking about it on the ride back. We’ve already gone this far, and we’re both in our forties. Why not just acknowledge what we’re doing, allow ourselves to have a little more fun, and make sure we treat Asher right along the way?”
I scratched my beard. “A date,” I said again.
Rory nodded. “Think about it. Just an idea.”
I shook my head quickly. “I don’t need to think about it. Let’s do it.”
This time, it was Rory’s turn to look startled. “Yeah? You think so?”
I nodded. “I think you’re right, especially the part about how we treat Asher.” I knew he wasn’t the most important person in my life or anything, but more and more, I felt an urge to care for him. A thrill shot across my skin, and I grabbed Rory’s hand. “Oh wow! We’re really going to do this?”
Rory chuckled as he leaned forward, placing another kiss on my lips. “And that look on your face,” he whispered in my ear. “That alone makes it worthwhile.”
