Page 24 of The Last Time

“It was no big deal. He was working hard on the house. I offered to treat him to lunch.”

Layla is looking at me with interest. “But he ate it with you? And was willing to talk about Lauren? That is not like Asher at all. He is a closed book when it comes to Lauren.”

I don’t know what to do with that information. It makes me feel oddly happy that he’s willing to do these things with me that he normally wouldn’t.

Okay, I can’t let that go to my head. I’m already desperately trying to tell myself I don’t still have a crush on him. “Anyway, the deck project will hopefully be done by the end of this weekend. I haven’t talked to him about the timing of the rest of the projects.”

“Well, I’m excited to see it all when it’s finished. I forgot how much I loved the view from this place.”

I look out at the water and instantly feel my body relax. “I know. Same. It’s so peaceful.”

We finish the rest of our meal, catching up on the past ten years. It’s so nice being here with her, laughing and joking around like time never passed.

“You should come out with me and Avery this weekend. I’m sure you’ll need a stiff drink after spending the entire day with my brother,” she says as we walk our garbage into the kitchen.

She grabs her purse, and I follow her to the front door.

A night out with them sounds like fun. I could use that—I haven’t had any fun since I found out about my father.

“That sounds perfect. Just let me know the time and place.”

“You got it.” She leans in and wraps her arms around me. “It was so nice to see you. I’m so glad you’re back in town.”

I sigh into her arms. “I’m actually kinda glad I’m in town, too.”

We pull away from each other.

“I’ll be in touch. Good luck with Asher this weekend,” she says, then winks at me.

I’m not quite sure if it’s a joke or am implication of something. Either way, I laugh it off and let her leave with her own ideas on the situation.

I walk back into the house and sit at my massive kitchen table.

When I touch my laptop mouse, the screen comes to life. Instead of getting straight to work, I start to think about Asher.

My mind has been spinning since we had lunch two days ago, and he told me about his wife.

I can’t imagine what it must have been like to have a baby and lose the mother so soon after the birth. The thought alone makes my chest tighten.

I can see how that would rock your world and tear you apart. His anger and bitterness make complete sense now. That can make you question everything and leave you broken.

I feel a little guilty for the number of times I had watched him work when he didn’t know I was looking. Minus the one time he caught me literally ogling his stomach when his shirt pulled up. It’s his own damn fault. He shouldn’t be that hot.

But here I am, objectifying him while he’s just trying to do his job and support his family. Then again, I pulled a few smiles from him, and the winks he gave me felt like…something.

He laughed, too—a real laugh that made my heart flutter, knowing that I was the reason for it. Well, he may have been laughing at me having to pee so badly, but still.

But I can’t let myself get all wrapped up in his charm. He’s a single dad who has to prioritize his daughter. Dating him would mean being open to the possibility of becoming a mother to a little girl who deserves everything.

Why am I even thinking about this? It’s like seventeen-year-old me interpreted a wink and a laugh as a marriage proposal.

I shake my head in an effort to erase these ridiculous thoughts.

What I need to do is focus on getting the house ready to sell by the end of the summer. That’s what I came here for, and yet I feel myself falling right into the life I had before I left. From now on, I’m going to focus all my efforts on this house.

No distractions, especially not Asher Williams.

Chapter Eight

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