Page 59 of Decoding Emma
He shifted until he was standing in front of me.“Were you trying to test me by not telling me your sister’s a predator?”
“No.Why?”Magnolia was acting like she always did.Did he mean my reaction when Magnolia said she’d take him on a tour?Unlike other guys I’d brought home, Asher didn’t rise to her bait.
“Because your family is much worse than you told me.”He shook his head.“Let’s say sharks have nothing on them.”
I laughed, pleased with his accurate evaluation.“You have no idea.”We sat on two of the lounge chairs on the pool house’s covered deck.I toed off my shoes and stretched out on the chair.I was no fan of high heels, and my feet were now much happier.
Asher took off his tux jacket and draped it over the back of a nearby chair, then settled on the chair next to mine and crossed his long legs at the ankles.The shirt he’d worn with the tux framed his torso perfectly.Wide shoulders, narrow waist.
“I’m so glad I didn’t let you come alone.Have you always endured that crap?”
I nodded.I didn’t know how to explain the elation I felt at his protective diversions.No one stood up to my family, but he did.Maybe because he didn’t feel the need to suck up.Asher was secure in who he was and what he did.And he didn’t need my parents’ approval.
“You do know they’re going to corner us again,” I said.
“I figured.How long do we have to stay before we can make a polite exit?”
“At least an hour, maybe a little longer.”Mother had insisted only an hour tops, but I also knew she didn’t mean that.
“Any idea why we’re here?”Asher settled against the back of the chair, letting his head fall back on the cushion, and closed his eyes.The perfect relaxed pose.
This gathering was no different than any of the others.I was no fool; no way was I going to lower my guard.“I have my suspicions.Don’t be surprised if a photographer suddenly shows up.”That was my parents’ MO.They wanted family pictures to show everyone the family was intact.After all, one mustn’t risk upsetting the stockholders with the implications that might come with family dissention.
“I can deal with it.Why don’t we go get some food and try to relax a bit.”
“Relaxation at these parties is not an option.”Lord only knows what else my parents had planned, especially since they didn’t tell me—warn me—my sisters would be here.
Asher stood up, put the tux jacket back on and buttoned it.I had a flashing thought that he looked like he could be the main character in a romance novel.Don’t drool, Emma.And whatever you might feel, be careful.Of course my mind would pour a five-gallon bucket of ice water over my momentary fantasy.Thanks a lot.Not.
I slipped my shoes on and looked up to see Asher’s hand extended to help me stand.When I was steady on my feet, he didn’t release my hand as he guided me back to the main part of the yard.He found us a table for two, and when he released my hand, I immediately missed the warmth of his grasp.He pulled out a chair with a slight bow and sweep of his hand as an invitation for me to sit.
“I’ll bring back nourishment and liquid courage.”He winked, and stroked my cheek so gently, I almost didn’t feel his touch.I could have sworn my heart turned over, but when I blinked, he was on his way to the buffet, and I was left trying to process the heat, the butterflies, and the desire that had risen from his merest touch.
I had no perception of time until Asher put a full oversized dinnerplate mounded with various items next to the centerpiece, then two glasses filled with some sort of gold liquid, flatware, two regular size empty plates, and two linen napkins.
“One of the waitstaff helped me appropriate a tray for all this stuff and told me to stash it under the table so I wouldn’t have to make a second trip.”There was that wink and a smile again.And sure enough, the butterflies took flight in my belly.
I shook out the napkin and spread it in my lap to try to cool the heat in my cheeks and took four items off the plate.Asher did as instructed and slid the tray under the table across from our chairs, sat down, and filled his plate.
“Enjoy.This stuff looks delicious.I’m not sure what half of these things are, but they looked good, so I went for them.”Asher set the plate down and immediately took a bite from what looked like a stuffed mushroom and moaned in apparent delight.I sipped my drink to try and suppress a giggle.
“Cider?”
He nodded as he swallowed the bite then sipped his drink.“I figured it would be best if we both kept our wits about us.”We clinked glasses.
“Smart man.”
We didn’t talk while we finished off everything he’d brought from the buffet.And he was right; all of it was delicious.No surprise really.My parents hired only five star caterers.
We’d just emptied our glasses and were leaning back in our seats when my parents glided over with my sisters.My father looked at the table, then flagged a waiter down.He told the waiter they needed more chairs and another table.The waiter gave my father a nod and moved a table and chairs for four next to ours.After he positioned the last chair, he picked up the tray under our table and stacked the plates, glasses, flatware, and napkins on it.He lifted the tray and set one side on his shoulder and braced it on his raised hand.Just as he turned to leave, he winked at Asher.Ah, the tray thief.Asher nodded and smiled as he returned a two-fingered salute to his partner in crime.
My sisters scrambled to see who would sit next to Asher.Magnolia won.I stifled a chuckle at their antics, knowing it wouldn’t go over well.I’d learned over the years to keep my head down literally and figuratively.Asher didn’t know that.
“Asher, what do you do?”my father asked after he sat down.
“Like Emma, I work in information technology.”Asher’s hand slipped off the table and rested on my thigh.He squeezed it ever so slightly, and as I moved like I was getting more comfortable in my chair, I quickly stroked his hand to thank him for his support.
“You work in the same place as Emelina?”
