Page 85 of Wish You Were Mine

He shrugged one shoulder. “Ashley broke up with me because I didn’t give her the time and attention she needed.”

“Ashley and I are not the same person.” As should be completely evident to anyone who’d seen the two of us standing side by side. “We’re not even remotely similar, except that we’re both interested in you.”

His jaw clenched. “Maybe not, but how many times have Liam and your brothers gone on about how you deserve to have someone stable and responsible, who’ll balance you out? Someone with regular working hours, who’ll be available to you when you need. My schedule is all over the place, and you and I are both hot heads. I’m completely the wrong person to fill that role.”

I gaped at him. “Since when have I cared what my brothers want for me? I’m the one who chooses who I date. I’m the one who has to live with my decision.”

I couldn’t believe I even had to say this.

“And honestly,” I continued, on a roll. “I’ve dated responsible guys with steady jobs before. Accountants. Lawyers. Not one of them interested me enough to keep them around. Bland and boring is not for me. You’re the one I want, no matter how hot-tempered you are and how unpredictable your job can be. I work long hours too. Are you going to hold that against me?”

He frowned. “Why would I? You co-own a business. Of course that will take up some of your time.”

I cocked my head, holding his gaze. “So, what’s the problem?”

He held eye contact for a long moment, but then ducked his head. He murmured something I didn’t hear, and I had to ask him to repeat it.

He tipped his face toward me. “My job can be dangerous. Not usually, but sometimes. Accident sites are risky. So are fires, and search and rescue callouts. What if something were to happen to me? I don’t want to leave you alone.”

“Asher,” I whispered, tears springing to my eyes. My heart ached for him. How awful must it be to have to consider something like that when getting close to someone?

“Don’t dismiss it,” he said. “It happens. In my line of work, I have to see grieving partners and family members all the time. I don’t want to cause you pain like that.”

I glanced around, then, taking a risk, kissed his cheek. “I understand. But the thing is, I already care about you. If anything happened to you, I’d be devastated. That won’t change, whether we’re together or not, but I’ll be a whole lot happier if we do give this thing between us a real chance. Isn’t it better to focus on that than to worry about what might or might not happen down the road?”

He rubbed his lips together, and then a heavy breath gusted out of him. “Yeah. I guess it is.” His beautiful eyes searched mine. “How did you get so wise?”

One side of my mouth hitched up. “I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about you—about us.”

His fists unclenched, and he inhaled slowly. “Me too.”

“So, we’re doing this?”

He nodded. “Yeah. We are.”

“Great.” My heart lifted.

Finally.

Finally, I’d be able to call Asher mine.

“Your place or mine?” I asked, referring to the question that had started this conversation.

He hesitated. “Is mine all right? I left Cookie there. Figured I’d stay at home tonight rather than Frannie’s.”

Something in my gut tightened. “Your place it is then. I’m sure Cookie misses you.”

Not to mention that if he was going to spend the night there, I wanted the chance to have a look around and make sure he was safe. I didn’t trust that whoever had broken his window was done causing trouble.

He smiled. “Do you need to drop by your place first?”

“No, I have everything I need. I can follow you over to your house.”

He shifted closer, until only a few inches of space separated us. I was tempted to rock toward him and erase the distance, but I was painfully aware that Cal might be watching from the window, or that anyone across the street could see us. If I touched or kissed Asher now, Liam would hear within an hour, and I might lose all the progress I’d made with Asher.

He grinned. “I’ll see you there.”

He strode back to his car, and I got into mine and started the engine. I waited for him to lead the way, even though I could probably get myself there with my eyes shut. I parked out the front while he opened the garage and pulled inside, then we met on the path to the front door.

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