“You’re good,” Reese said as she stared at her phone. “Really, really good.”
“Thanks,” I said gratefully. “I’m starting on a new project, so I’ll probably add more to the website soon. Some of the illustrations there are several years old.”
“I want to ask why you’d give this up when you obviously love doing it and have a tremendous amount of talent, but I won’t. I’m thinking that’s something you don’t want to talk about, either.”
“Not right now,” I said with regret in my tone. “I want to stay upbeat and focus on doing the best work I can do. My past isn’t ruling my life anymore. Maybe it will be easier to talk about it someday.”
Reese studied my face. “You went through some of the same things as Asher, didn’t you? That’s why the two of you get along so well. You understand what he’s going through.”
“Yes,” I confessed. “I had bad PTSD from a really traumatic event about three years ago. My migraines are post-traumatic migraines. I never had a migraine until my life fell apart. I went through years of therapy to get my head back together again. I thought the headaches were over. I was surprised when I got one again. It’s been over a year now since I’ve had one.”
“I’m sure PTSD is a big part of Asher’s problem,” Reese said. “Devon and I have talked about it. He doesn’t like to be touched, and he doesn’t do well with crowds or people.”
“I think so,” I said noncommittally. “I think it’s delayed-onset PTSD from his childhood, but I’m not a medical person or a psychologist. That’s just a guess.”
She nodded. “That makes sense. No wonder he’s isolated himself so much. I’m not sure exactly what Cole and Asher went through as children, but I’m sure it was horrible.”
“He’s getting better,” I told her, wanting her to have some hope that Asher would be part of the Remington family someday.
She lifted a brow. “He’s getting treatment.”
“I can’t really confirm or deny that,” I said lightly.
“I think you know,” she said teasingly. “But I understand why you don’t want to betray his trust. I think just having you around helps him, Sierra. He seems to trust you.”
“I’m not sure why it helps, but I think you’re right,” I admitted.
“There’s a tranquility about you,” Reese considered. “A calmness that probably makes him want to be close to you. You’re sweet and upbeat. Asher needs that.”
“I’m no angel,” I said in an amused tone.
She winked at me. “I’m sure you’re not. If you were really an angel, you wouldn’t be having lustful thoughts about Asher.”
“Please don’t say anything to anyone,” I requested in a pleading voice.
“I’d never do that,” Reese confirmed. “But Devon will notice. I think Millie and the rest of the Remingtons will, too. They all know what it’s like to be crazy about someone.”
“Hopefully not,” I said emphatically, noting to myself that I really needed to stop ogling Asher.
“What are you two doing out here?” Devon asked as he and Asher entered the room.
“Are you done?” Reese asked as she smiled at her husband.
Devon grinned back at her like she was the only person in the room.
I loved the way Devon and Reese were together.
The adoration between the two of them was on display every moment that they were together.
Devon shrugged sheepishly. “I didn’t really do anything. I kept Asher company.”
“My hero,” Reese said with a sigh as Devon kissed her temple. “I guess I should get to work.”
“We’re headed to Billings,” Asher said as Reese and I slid off our stools at the bar. “We’ll see you both later.”
“You should both have dinner with us sometime,” Reese said enthusiastically.
“Or you could come to Asher’s place,” I offered, without thinking about my words first. “I love to cook.”
