“Great.” His wife claps. “We’ll let you get unpacked and settled, but we would love to have you over for dinner later.”
“Can I come too?” Bea chirps.
Her grandmother holds out a hand. “Of course. C’mon, Dolly. Let’s go feed the ducks.”
Jack waves goodbye and follows them.
As I turn around, Asher pops open my trunk and begins retrieving my luggage.
“Are you working today?” I ask.
“I’m always working.” He politely laughs. “Though I’ve gotten better about delegating.”
Between the two of us, we get all of my belongings into the house in one trip. Back inside, I wait for Asher’s direction at the mouth of the hallway, which is located off the kitchen and living room.
“Bea’s room is the last one on the left. Oh, but you’ve already seen it,” he corrects himself with a shake of his head. “Mine is across from hers.” He opens the door just before his room. “And this is where you’ll be staying. The bathroom is across the hall. Sorry it’s not in the bedroom. Feel free to make it your own. Bea uses my tub, so she shouldn’t be in your way.”
“Sounds good.” I smile as I shuffle into the bedroom. The floors are hardwood, like the main living space, but there’s a shag rug in various shades of blue beneath a queen-size bed. The quiltover top of the mattress is white, and the walls are painted a powder blue, providing a tranquil vibe.
A sense of comfort rolls through me as I spin in a slow circle. I think I’m going to like it here.
Asher opens the closet and pushes several jackets to the back. “If you need more room, I can move these into the hall closet.”
“This will be fine,” I assure him. I only brought what I would need for the summer.
“Oh, I haven’t shown you the best part.” He strides across the room and opens the thick, white curtains, revealing a sliding glass door to the porch.
Outside, I’m met with the most idyllic landscape. The cabin is raised so the view is much more expansive than if it were on ground level. The porch runs the entire length of the house. To my right is an outdoor sectional, and to my left is…
“A hot tub?”
“Ah, yes.” He taps the cover, safely secured with a lock. “I like to come out here to relax after Bea’s in bed. The key is hidden here.” He motions behind a sconce. “Feel free to use it any time. Just make sure to lock it when you’re done so Bea doesn’t get in. I doubt she could lift the cover, but I’d rather play it safe.”
“Of course. You can never be too careful.”
Back inside, he lingers in the doorframe while I unzip my suitcase. Feeling his attention on me, I peer up, catching him checking me out in the mirror. With butterflies taking flight in my lower belly, I spin around.
He immediately looks away, clearing his throat. “I’ll leave you to it then. Maybe later you can give me a list of foods and drinks you’d like to have on hand. The cafeteria is always available to you free of charge, and Bea and I eat there a lot, but sometimes it’s nice to get away from all the noise.”
“I get that.” I grin, hands clasped in front of me. When hemakes no move to leave, I say, “Thanks. I’ll unpack and get on that list.”
“Right.” He rubs at his mustache then shoots a finger gun at me.
I giggle at the dorky move, and with a grimace, he pivots on his heel and walks away. And now I’m the one staring. He may be a dork, but he’s a dork with one hell of an ass.
8
Asher
After Claire unpacked,she insisted she tag along to stock up on food. We bickered at the cash register at the convenience store in town when I wouldn’t let her pay, nearly causing a scene. In the end we went dutch.
While dinner with her at my in-laws went well, it was odd. I haven’t visited them with anyone but Bea since Daisy—What the hell am I thinking? Claire is a colleague, not a woman I’m bringing home to Mom and Dad.
After helping Jack clean the kitchen, she headed back to my house, and by the time Bea and I returned, she had retreated to her bedroom and I didn’t see her for the rest of the night.
This is fine. I can totally live with a woman. It’s not even technicallyliving, really. She’s a roommate. It’s like I’m back in college. Only my roommate is a very attractive woman with pretty skin, and not a smelly nineteen-year-old male with acne.
This morning, while Bea is out front speeding around in her jeep, I stand in the kitchen, tapping my foot, nerves getting the better of me. For the hundredth time, I peer around the cornerand find that Claire’s bedroom door is still closed. I figured she’d be up and moving by now, seeing as it’s her first day on the job.
