Page 86 of Wish You Were Mine

A chill swept through me at the sight of the boarded over window.

“Is someone coming to replace that soon?” I asked.

“On Thursday,” he replied.

“Good.” I didn’t like how vulnerable the damage made him.

He unlocked the door and bent to pat Cookie, who was trying to wind around his feet. He scooped her up and carried her through the house toward the kitchen. I locked the door and followed behind. While he fed her, I started the heat pump to take the chill off the air.

“Do you have blankets anywhere?” I called.

His voice came back strong. “In the linen cupboard in the hallway.”

I searched the cupboard and selected a fluffy blanket to snuggle in and a heavier comforter in case we needed the warmth. The heat pump was beginning to do its job, but with the unsealed window, it was fighting a losing battle.

Asher entered the living room wearing a woolen jersey and sweatpants. “I put frozen pizza in the oven. Does that work for you?”

“Sounds nice. I’m in an ‘any meal I don’t have to cook is a good one’ kind of mood.”

He laughed. “I’m not sure if putting something in the oven and turning it on really counts as cooking.”

I shrugged. “Close enough. The end result is hot food.” I sat on the sofa, tucked my legs beneath myself, and pulled the fluffy blanket over my lap. “Join me?”

He flopped onto the sofa beside me and wriggled under the blanket. Then, taking me by surprise, he wrapped his arm around my waist and maneuvered me around until I was lying against his side, our cheeks nearly touching. He turned his face into my hair and breathed in.

“This is good,” he murmured, suddenly sounding weary. The tension eased from his muscles, and he snuggled closer. “Usually, after a day like today, I’d have to cycle twenty kilometers to take the edge off, but somehow, being with you helps too.”

My heart lifted, and I angled my face away from him so he wouldn’t see my massive grin. “I’m happy to be used for endorphins.”

His arms tightened around me. “I’d never use you.”

His tone was oddly serious, considering I’d been joking around.He must still be raw from our conversation outside the veterinary clinic.

“I know,” I assured him.

His breath stirred my hair. “We’re going to have to come clean soon, aren’t we?”

I pursed my lips, anxious but ready to put myself on the line for a chance at the future I’d dreamed of. “We are if we want this to lead anywhere.”

Asher drew back enough to meet my eyes. “That’s that, then. You know, I’ve spent years looking for a woman to settle down with. I can’t believe I never realized she was right in front of me all along.”

My stomach flipped over. I’d dreamed of him speaking those words to me, but I’d never believed it would actually happen.

“When should we tell our families?” I asked.

He kissed the tip of my nose. “We can start with Liam. This weekend.”

My chest tightened. Right into the deep end. I wanted it, but I couldn’t deny I was worried about Liam’s reaction too. If he was unhappy, would our relationship be over as soon as it had begun?

40

ASHER

I sauntered along Centennial Street toward the veterinary clinic after my shift ended, shrugging deeper inside my jacket in an attempt to get warm. White clouds crowded the sky, and the forecast called for snow.

“Asher!”

I cringed, and sped up, recognizing the voice instantly.

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