Page 22 of Asher's Assignment

“Thanks.” He opened it and took out a bowl, then went to the fridge and grabbed two eggs and some sliced cheese.

Her pretext of reading forgotten, she watched him cook a quick egg sandwich using the microwave and the toaster. It took all of three minutes.

“I need to remember that egg trick. That looks good.” She nodded to his plate as he sat down next to her.

“It is. You get creative when you’re a broke college student who only has a hot plate and a microwave, and the cafeteria is closed because you spent too much time in the computer lab.”

Esther chuckled. “Or in my case, the library. I kept a stash of protein shakes and yogurt in my dorm fridge for nights like that.” She blushed. “And those frozen burritos.”

Asher laughed. “Me too.” He tucked his tie into his shirt, then lifted his sandwich and took a bite.

“Why did you bring a tie?”

He glanced down, chewing. Holding up a finger, he swallowed. “I wanted to be prepared for anything. I have a suit jacket upstairs too, but I didn’t figure church warranted a full suit.”

“It probably doesn’t even warrant the tie. We’re not terribly formal.”

He lifted a shoulder. “I always wore one growing up, so I still do when I go.”

“Where’s home for you?”

“Michigan. I grew up near Kalamazoo.”

“Do you still have family there?”

“My dad. We’re not terribly close, but I go home at least once a year for a visit, and we email.”

Esther wrinkled her nose. “I couldn’t imagine only seeing my dad once a year. My mom, either. It’s hard enough with Edie being so far away.”

“You grew up differently. My mom died when I was just a kid, and my dad worked two jobs to keep us afloat. I spent a lot of time with my grandparents and was close to them, but they’re both gone now.”

“I’m sorry. That must have been tough. What happened to your mom?”

“Aneurysm. I was three.” He took another bite of his sandwich.

“Oh, wow. I can’t imagine.”

“I don’t remember much about her. She smelled good, that I remember. And she had a pretty singing voice. But my grandparents—my dad’s parents—were great. They stepped in right away, so I never felt neglected. Like any kid who’s lost a parent, sometimes I wished I had a mom to go to school functions with, but my grandma would go, so I didn’t completely miss out. And I turned out okay.” He sent her a crooked smile.

“You did, yes. What about your maternal grandparents? Were they in the picture?”

He shook his head. “Mom moved to Michigan from out of state for college. The University of Michigan. She and Dad met there. Her family lives in Wisconsin. My grandparents on that side are still alive, but I’ve never had much to do with them. My grandmother hasn’t been well for years and couldn’t travel, so I didn’t see them much. I have an uncle there, too, and a couple of cousins. What about you? Do you have extended family around?”

She nodded as he finished the rest of his sandwich. “I have a couple of aunts, and they live in the area with their families. We have a few cousins. All four of my grandparents are still alive too.” Her eyes widened as she remembered who would be at church. “Oh, no.” She covered her face.

“What?”

“My family will be at church. My parents and my mom’s parents. Oh, this is bad. They’ll have all kinds of questions about you.” She removed her hands and looked at him. “I can’t tell them about my troubles. My dad will go ballistic. You think Edie’s bad? Nope. Dad will literally pitch a tent in my front yard.”

“Just tell them I’m your boyfriend.”

“We can’t do that!” He was out of his ever-loving mind. “That’ll lead to even worse questions. We can tell them you’re here for work.”

A single dark eyebrow rose. “Doing what, exactly? My business is online. I can literally work from anywhere with an internet connection. Why would I come here?”

Her hopeful expression crumbled. He had a point. “Okay. But my boyfriend? Really?”

“I don’t know what else to tell you, Essy. We need to explain my presence somehow. And that makes the most sense. Even if I stay here today and you go to church alone, this town isn’t that large. Someone’s going to notice my car outside your house every night. It’ll get back to them one way or another. Wouldn’t you rather address the problem head on than let it blindside you?”

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