Page 10 of Knotty, Nice, & Holiday Lights
Asher looks more pale than usual at the news. “How could they possibly have fired you? You’re one of the best character designers I've ever met.”
Warmth blooms in my chest at his compliment, although I don’t know if he means it.
Asher is one of those people who makes you feel like you’re the only person that matters when he speaks to you. He’s completely focused and remembers everything from one conversation to the next, even if it’s been years.
His face takes on a serious expression, and he gestures to Cuppa behind me. “It looks like you just came from here, but I was about to have a cup. Would you like to sit and talk for a bit?”
Spending time with Asher is just what I need to distract me from thinking naughty thoughts about Will the Proprietor.
I smile warmly. “I would love to.”
He opens the door for me, and I pass through, back into the warm cafe, and head straight for the refrigerator at the back and grab a bottle of water. Once I have that in hand, I sidle up to Asher at the counter and wait to pay.
The same barista who smiled kindly at me when taking my used mug to the back stares at Asher with stars in her eyes as he orders Earl Grey tea in a medium mug.
When he’s finished ordering with that British lilt of his, she stands there, staring a moment, looking almost lost.
I stifle my smile as her head shakes with a nervous laugh before she disappears behind the partition. She returns a moment later with a white mug, a tea bag in a pouch, and a small carafe of what I assume is hot water.
“And the water, as well, please,” Asher says to the girl, gesturing to the bottle in my grasp.
She rings him up as I thank him, and then we head for the same little table I’d been sitting at right by the front window. After we sit, he pours the water into his mug, adds nothing to his steeping tea, and looks up at me, head tilted just slightly. “I know you’ve been sacked, but you look fantastic, Izzy.”
The heat rises to my face at his compliment, a nervous laugh escapes my lips. Again.
When did I turn back into a high schooler?
“You look great, too, Asher.”
And by gods, do yousmellgreat. I never noticed before, and I don’t know why, but his scent is like warm amber. It reminds me of an expensive candle I once had. Only so, so much more tantalizing.
“So, why Crescent Lake?” he asks, strangling his tea bag with the string around his spoon. “Do you know anyone here?”
“I actually do, but they don’t know I’m here.”
He peers up at me, confused.
“It was kind of a last-minute thing, coming here,” I explain. “Another friend of mine who’d stayed in Crescent Lake once suggested I come to get away after getting fired.” May as well tell him the truth. “I’m sort of avoiding family scrutiny.”
A look of understanding washes over his face. “I remember you mentioning not getting on with your family.”
I really am a blabbermouth.
“I came here on holiday years ago. Always remembered it fondly. And, when the time came for me to get some distance from Hollywood, I decided to return.” The light drains from his usually warm eyes as he says this.
My smile is sincere, although I’m a bit worried. I’ve seen the tabloids, the gossip sites, social media posts… he’s been embroiled in a scandal with his ex for quite some time, and it doesn’t look pretty. All signs point to him being shunnedprofessionally now, but I could never believe what I was reading or hearing.
Asher Black has always been a pure gentleman. He’s about twelve years older than me—yeah, I stalked his actor profile the day we met, sue me—and that salt and pepper look he’s got going on now is really doing it for me. But I digress. He’s kindhearted, and his energy has always been so positive. I can’t believe for one nanosecond that he would mistreat his woman.
Something doesn’t add up.
But, it isn’t my business.
Chapter Five
Ican’t believe I’m sitting in a cafe in Crescent Lake with Izzy Ross.
I must be dreaming.
