Page 68 of All the Days After
She sent a huge splash his way. “So, you’rethe potential buyer? You’ll have to fight me for it.”
Sleekly moving through the water, sheshrieked when he caught up to her and dragged her to him. Wrappingher arms around his neck, she kissed him with all the love shepossessed. Holding her up against him as he kept them both afloat,he whispered words of adoration in her ears. Melting, she knew thiswas right.
23
All the Days After
Days passed, and still no response from his sister.Stubborn ass. She wasn’t making this easy on him. Hopefully, atleast for Lincoln’s sake, she hadn’t been festering the whole timebut was enjoying her honeymoon.
They weren’t due to return for another threedays, so Asher was surprised when he saw the dust storm coming downthe driveway. Coming out when he saw the car, Sophie didn’ttolerate waiting in the wings this time.
Pulling up to the house, Pippa steppedcautiously out of the car. She looked pretty bummed. Shit. Theymust have left before dawn to get here so early.
Waiting for her to speak first, Asher bit histongue.
Took her a minute, standing in front of thecar, arms crossed and eyes red. “I’m sorry I didn’t hear you out. Ihaven’t slept much, thinking back on the last few weeks. A fewwords you said kept echoing in my head, then I thought about someof the details I hadn’t paid attention to while I was in fullbridezilla mode. It took me a while to settle down and processeverything. Poor Lincoln has put up with me the last three weeks,then the last three days… but I needed to get back and talk thisout.” She took a deep breath before continuing. “I shouldn’t judgeso quickly.”
Asher’s heart was breaking with hers. Hehated that he’d caused her so much pain. Maybe they should havegiven her the benefit of the doubt and told her sooner.
Arms folded across his chest, he tried toswallow the heavy sensation. “I’m sorry about before. I amimpulsive, and that’s led me to some terrible decisions. But I’mnot sure I can change that about me. Not sure I want to. If Ichanged, I might not be the man Sophie fell in love with.”
“She… what?” His poor sister. She stared athim, watching for the joke that never came. Her eyes were soft andgooey, desperately hoping he wasn’t kidding.
Looking to Lincoln, she raised her eyebrowsin question. Asher couldn’t see his response, but Pippa’s lip stuckout in a weepy pout. Finally, she glanced to Sophie who had herhand stuck in her mouth as she gnawed away at those poor stubbynails.
Dropping her hands, Sophie came running over.Not putting up with Pippa’s stiff posture or pouty lip, Sophiethrew her arms around her friend. “I love you Pippa. You’re my bestfriend and that’s never changing.” Pippa softened and let thewaterworks flow.
Asher watched as the two cried it out andmuttered unintelligible explanations and apologies.
With a final sniffle, Sophie stepped back tostand at Asher’s side and wrapped her arm around his waist as sheleaned into him. “I’m glad you never let me meet Asher sooner. Youwere right all along. I fell for him the second I laid eyes on him.Trouble is, I’m not giving him up… Or you.”
Lincoln walked and took his place next toPippa. He tucked her against his side, happy couple mirroring happycouple. Pippa finally managed to speak, a shaky smile forming onher face, “You guys really love each other?”
With a laugh of relief, Asher kissed the topof Sophie’s head and nodded. “Hell yeah. I guess I always knew yourbest friend was the one for me. Sorry for getting it wrong a fewtimes before I figured out which one.” He winked and pulled Sophietighter against him.
Pippa shook her head at her own foolishness.Apologizing to her friend, her voice shook. “After all the grief Igave you, I was the one that nearly ruined our friendship. I’msorry.”
Weepy, but swiftly transitioning to happytears, the ladies led the way into the house. Lincoln brewed afresh pot of coffee, likely exhausted from their early start.Sophie started washing fresh fruit. Pippa pulled out a pan and somebacon.
“Asher, if you’re going to be with Sophie,there are a few things you need to get straight first.” She shovedthe pan at him and aimed him at the stove. “She likes her baconcrispy. Eggs scrambled with cheese.”
And Asher’s cooking lessons began. The bacondidn’t turn out too bad. It was so crispy it melted in your mouth,but Sophie seemed to like it.
~ The End ~
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