Page 90 of Third Time Lucky

‘Stroke,’ I fill him in.

‘Oh no.’

‘Yeah. Dad wanted to hire around-the-clock care – just in case – even though she bounced back like she was a teenager. And I found myself without a place to live, so I volunteered.’

He listens intently, his gaze softening as I recount the unexpected events that led me to share a home with Mitzi.

‘She’s lucky to have you looking out for her,’ he remarks, a hint of admiration in his voice.

I shrug modestly. ‘Mitzi has always been there for me, like the mom I never had. It’s the least I could do.’

‘She adores you,’ he says, still devouring his cake. ‘Only wanting the best for her favorite granddaughter – her words.’

‘I certainly lucked out in the grandmother department,’ I say with a smile, grateful for Mitzi’s presence in my life.

We eat silently for a few, enjoying one another’s company.

‘I gotta say, I really lucked out going to Vegas last winter and reconnecting with you,’ he says.

I meet his gaze. My God. I want this – with him. But I need to purge my demons before I tell him that.

‘Likewise,’ I say, giving his hand a reassuring squeeze before setting my nearly gone dessert on the table and lacing my fingers through his. ‘So far, you’ve helped turn every worst day of my life, into something better. I’m for sure the lucky one.’

He doesn’t say anything to that, just gently caresses my hand with his thumb. I lie back on the lounger next to him and stare up at the stars twinkling above us.

‘Have you ever wished on a star?’

‘Not since I was a kid. Have you?’

I nod. ‘Recently, actually.’

‘Did your wish come true?’

I squeeze his hand tighter. ‘I think it’s happening right now.’

His gaze softens, a smile playing on his lips. The crackling of the fire and the gentle rustling of leaves in the breeze fade into the background as he brushes a strand of hair behind my ear.

‘I better make a wish then,’ he whispers, his voice barely above a breath.

The moonlight dances across his face as he leans in, the distance between us diminishing until our lips meet with a gentle pressure that sends electricity down my spine as his hand cradles the back of my head. This man knows how to kiss a woman like he means it. Wow.

As we part, I’ve no doubt I’m wearing a grin that stretches from ear to ear. The taste of chocolate and marshmallow lingers on my lips, but now it’s mixed with the sweetness of him. The crackling fire seems to burn brighter, casting flickering shadows across his face as he looks at me with an intensity that makes my heart flutter.

‘Looks like my wish just came true too,’ he says, the smile lingering on his handsome face.

Be still my heart. It’s at this moment that I know whatever demons or ghosts may haunt me from my past, I’m ready to face them. If it needs to be with fire in my grandmother’s backyard, so be it.

27

ASHER

Well, I’m fucked – in the best fucking way ever. My feelings may be steering me down the path of the big L word, and I’m not scared for once. I was a bit fearful Lucy would think I was using her for free labor at the restaurant with the mural painting (which was definitely not my intention), but she seemed to love it. It turned out even better than I had hoped, thanks to the brilliant name she came up with. I always knew I wanted a local artist to design a wall, but I never could have imagined it would perfectly capture the elusive idea that’s been floating around in my mind for so long.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, and even though it’s after eleven, I know exactly who it is because I’ve ignored three of his calls in the last hour.

‘You can’t let me have even a second to consider how this went without your input, can you?’ I say when I answer, as opposed to hello.

‘Nope,’ he states firmly. I can almost see the playful smirk on his lips as he continues, ‘Spill it – did you wear those tight pants?’

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