Page 143 of Forbidden Hearts
“I’m sure he loved having you here.”
Emmeline raises one perfectly arched brow. “Not so sure about that, but honestly, I learned so many things they don’t teach you in school. Dad and Aunt Chloe really worked together to fix issues that I would’ve just prayed for Google to give me the answers to. I think they actually created half of them to see what I would do.”
Asher is quiet, walking along with us, and I grip his arm with both hands. “Hi.”
He chuckles. “Hi.”
Emmeline makes a gagging noise. “Anyway, here is your room, it’s my favorite in the whole place. You have the best view of the property. The restaurant is downstairs, and there’s a reservation in your name for seven.”
“Umm, we came here to see you,” I tell her.
“Yes, but I have to work because we have a wedding tomorrow. So, tonight you’re on your own to explore and do whatever you want. The wedding is early afternoon, and I’ll be done by dinner. Then we can have all the fun, and you can meet the family.”
I’ve met her parents before, and it’s really funny that, apparently, I am following in their footsteps. Her mother was the nanny for her three oldest sisters . . . and, the kicker is that her dad worked for her grandpa. The irony is not lost on me. However, you can’t fight fate, no matter how forbidden your relationship is. The heart wants what it wants and often doesn’t lose.
“I can’t wait to meet your family.”
“They’re really excited to meet you as well.” She gives me a big hug. “You have no idea how much I’ve missed you.” Emmeline turns to Asher. “And thank you for loving her. There’s no one else in the world that deserves it more.”
thirty-eight
ASHER
Phoebe is standing at the window in her silky pajamas, staring out at the crystal-clear sky. We’ve had an amazing weekend here, and I can see why Emmeline and Phoebe are best friends. They’re the opposite in almost everything and, yet, fit so perfectly.
Her family has been incredible as well. I had a good time talking to Emmeline’s brothers-in-law. Dex is a fireman, Hutton is a tech billionaire, and Zach was a Navy SEAL, so we had a lot to talk about since Grady was navy as well.
I’m not ready to go home tomorrow evening.
I come up behind her, pulling her back to my chest. “You look deep in thought.”
“I was just thinking about the sky.”
“Oh?”
She rests her head on my shoulder. “It’s vast and seemingly never-ending. There are billions of stars out there, and tonight, for whatever reason, I found that one first.” She holds her finger up and circles around whatever star. There are so many, I couldn’t pick out the one she chose, but she knows it.
“So, that has you mystified?” I ask.
Phoebe turns, looping her arms around my neck. “You have me mystified. You had billions of stars to choose from, but you picked me out.”
“I think you chose me, sweetheart. I haven’t moved, but you, you’re a comet in the night. You found me when you flew across my dark sky.” I smile at her as she starts to look away. “Does that embarrass you?”
Her brown eyes find mine in the moonlight. “It makes me feel important.”
She has no idea. “Sweetheart, you’re my heart and soul, and I couldn’t survive without you.”
“You know, you should show this soft, squishy part to more people. They’d probably stop thinking you’re unapproachable.”
“What makes you think I want people to approach me?”
She shrugs. “You know what? You’re right, keep up the grumpy façade, I like knowing the real man under all that crankiness.”
I pull her closer, swaying a bit as the moonlight dances around her hair. “I want to lay you bare and kiss every inch of you.”
“That sounds promising.”
“It does?”
