Page 81 of Siren's Game

"Did I tell you that you look amazing yet?" he asks, pressing his lips against my temple. The both of us flash a quick smile when a man in a suit with a camera appears in front of us and takes a picture.

"You can tell me again," I wink and relax a bit against him. Those were literally the first words out of his mouth when he saw me in the dress.

"You look amazing," he chuckles, and I lift my chin to grin up at him.

It’s not lost on me how easily his arm around me became like second nature. I don’t freeze and my muscles don’t tense, even if he catches me by surprise. No, my body automatically melts against him.

We walk inside the house, where I immediately recognize Jade and Ellis as they are talking to some important-looking people who seem familiar. I've probably seen them at one of these fancy charity dinners before, but I can’t remember their name for the life of me.

"There are the stars of the evening!" Jade says with a wide smile on her face.

Asher leans down, his arm not leaving my hip, and greets his mother with a kiss to her cheek. I greet her with a short, one-armed hug and his dad with a firm handshake.

Luca was stopped by another important-looking person and is introducing Millie to him by the looks of it. Meanwhile, I turn to admire the flowers that are placed all around the room.

"Do you like them?" Jade asks and taps Asher's arm so he’d let me go, linking her arm with mine instead and leading me away from Asher and his dad.

Millie and Luca seem to be doing the rounds and doing a bit of networking and introducing themselves. I guess I'm doing the same in a way only in a more . . . private context.

"Yes. They are beautiful." I reach my hand out to touch one of them. They're beautiful, orange lilies, looking just like the ones Asher brought me the first time he was at my place, surrounded by an array of white, yellow and red flowers I couldn't name.

"You know, it's always funny." She grins at me and steers me into another room. "Did you know that there is an old flower language that attributes meanings to certain flowers and colors?"

"No, I didn't know that," I tell her with a chuckle. "Sorry."

"That's fine, love, only very few people do." She pats my hand as we start to stroll down the hallway, looking at all the different flower arrangements. "But I do. And orange lilies stand for hate and passion. Such beautiful flowers with such a contradicting meaning."

I burst out in laughter, quickly masking it with a cough. So that’s why Asher chose those flowers for my first bouquet from him? I’m not sure whether to be peeved or impressed.

"Just out of curiosity—" I raise my eyebrow at her curiously. "What do purple lilies stand for?"

"Rain lilies?" She chuckles and tilts her head. "New beginnings. They just sprung into my eye when Asher came to get you flowers, when you were sick, right?" I grin at her sheepishly and she smiles right back at me. "There was just no way I’d make you one of those bland ‘get better soon’ bouquets you can get at every supermarket. Flowers should get you into a good mood, not remind you that you aren’t feeling well.” We continue to the next arrangement that doesn’t really look any different to me. “And with your history, I found their meaning very fitting, I must say."

I chuckle right along with her. Turns out, Jade is very easy to talk to and such a wonderful woman, making me feel super comfortable with the conversation. No invasive or embarrassing questions.

Then again, she's the woman who raised Asher, so I guess there wasn't really a possibility of her being a bitch with the way he turned out. Although I had my doubts in the beginning.

"And your friend is the one who Luca buys all my sunflowers for?" she asks me softly when we pass by the two of them. They are deep in a hushed conversation, ignoring everyone around them.

I nod and she tilts her head, looking at the two. "They suit her. She lights up the room."

"I think so too," I admit and feel a smile tugging at my lips. "Sunshine is also his nickname for her."

"Oh, isn't that adorable?" She chuckles. "Who knew those two boys had a romantic bone in them?" I look at her, surprised. "What? I may have birthed Asher, that doesn't mean he isn't a bit . . . unenlightened when it comes to certain things."

That's it. I've decided I like her.

"Now let's find something to eat," she says, full of conviction. "I need some alcohol and don't want to get sloppy drunk."

She steers us outside where a beautiful buffet has been set up. "I hope you're hungry, dear, because all of this looks really delicious."

"I am," I admit and let my eyes wander over all of the trays. She isn't kidding. I don't know what half of this stuff is, but I know I will be trying out as much as I can.

Now, where is Millie when I need her? Usually she's the one I'd be going half with on all of these so we can taste as much as possible. But she's still in the other room, still glued to Luca’s side. No wonder with him going to Toronto soon and all, but I can't believe they've all just abandoned me with Asher's mom.

With a sigh, I grab a plate and get in line behind her. I'm an adult; I'll manage a dinner without my friends to cling to.

Asher

---