Page 142 of The Ruse

“Thank you.” Bailee gazed down at her baby with such love in her eyes. “She’s the reason I kept going when things were hard.”

“You had times when you wanted to give up?” Asher asked, his voice suddenly tender.

“Yeah…” Bailee looked down, as if ashamed for having her low moments. “It was…really hard sometimes.”

“Well, I’m glad you kept going.” Asher rubbed Bailee’s shoulder in a comforting way. “Not all of us have moms who would sacrifice so much for their baby. She’s lucky to have you.”

It was a seemingly little thing the way Asher comforted and accepted her—reckless choices and all. But the way he said it just made me love him more because it showed how much he’d experienced in his life and how strong he’d become through those hard things.

He knew from experience what it was like to not have parents around. One from a terrible accident. The other from stupid choices.

He’d had to do a lot of growing up all on his own.

“Most people would say that what I did was crazy,” Bailee said with tears in her eyes. “But I did do it all for her.”

The baby seemed to realize we were talking about her, because in that moment, she giggled and smiled the biggest, gummy smile I’d ever seen.

“Does she always smile like that?” Asher asked, returning Emmy’s smile with a big one of his own.

“Yes,” Bailee said, proud mom written all over her face. “She just started smiling a couple weeks ago.”

“Talk about lighting up a whole room with a smile,” Asher said, holding out one of his long, piano-playing fingers to Emmy. Her hand was gripped in a tight fist, though, so it just bumped against Asher’s hand.

But it was kind of the cutest thing watching him be so sweet with a baby.

Yes, I was totally the type of girl who melted when a guy was good with babies and kids.

We ooohed and ahhhed over Emmy for another minute, but then she started getting fussy. I grabbed Asher’s coat from where I’d left it on the couch so we could leave, and Asher helped me put it on.

“Thanks for answering my call and coming over,” Bailee said, holding Emmy over her shoulder and patting her gently on the back to soothe her. “I know you might not want to, but I hope we can talk more some other time.”

“I’d be happy to talk again sometime,” Asher said. “Take care.”

“Thanks,” she said. “You guys have a good night.”

43

ASHER

Elyseand I were quiet on the drive back to the hotel, each lost in our own thoughts. Like before, the ride only took a few minutes, and then the driver was pulling up to the curb where she’d picked us up earlier.

The ground was slick when we stepped out, so I helped Elyse out of the car and held her hand as we walked up the steps and into the hotel.

Anyone watching might think I was just acting the part of a gentleman helping a beautiful girl in a fancy ballgown. But it was purely selfish on my part. Holding someone’s hand may seem like a small thing to lots of people, but tonight, it was everything. Because if Elyse was willing to hold my hand, it meant I might have a chance to really win her heart.

“Did you want to go back in there with everyone?” I asked when we made it to the doors that would lead into the ballroom. “I’m not dressed for the event anymore, but I understand if you want to go back in.”

She shook her head. “I was done with that ball way before it even started. Is there somewhere else we can go? To talk?”

“I think I know a place,” I said. “Hopefully, it’s still unlocked.”

“Is it your room?” Elyse asked, not following me quite yet.

I looked back at her and smiled. “I was thinking of somewhere else, but if that’s what you prefer…”

“No.” Her eyes widened, as if embarrassed for even bringing it up. “I was just making sure.”

I chuckled. “Don’t worry. I’m taking you somewhere else.” I tugged on her arm, and she started walking beside me again. “It’s a room I found yesterday while everyone else was at the cocktail party.”

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