Page 42 of The Wish List
She nodded. “Your story would have been more dramatic if you’d had to take the bus instead of being chauffeured. Sort of takes away from the whole image. The big allowance thing was sort of a letdown too. Most seven-year-olds can’t afford crystal. You should have had to save for months by collecting bottles and stuff. You should rethink it the next time you tell it.”
I pulled her into my arms, chuckling. “I have only ever told you, but I’ll keep that in mind.”
She held me tight. “I’m sorry for what you went through, Asher. I hate thinking of you alone, even if it was in a limo.”
I pressed a kiss to her head. “I’m not alone now.”
She looked up, cupping my face. She pressed her mouth to mine.
“No, you’re not.”
CHAPTERELEVEN
ROSIE
Iheld Asher close, his embrace tight. We sat for a while, not speaking, not moving, simply locked together.
He was a proud, strong man, and he had just allowed me to see his vulnerable side—one I was certain few ever saw. Instinctually, I knew he needed my embrace. To be held and comforted by my touch. I felt safe in his arms, and it made me feel incredible to know he felt the same way about my hold.
As a mother, I was horrified that he had found her dead at his young age. Left alone to figure out what to do. The thought of that happening to AJ was overwhelming. I understood Asher’s panic now and could allow for his feelings. He still had gone overboard, but given his history, I wasn’t angry anymore.
Asher shifted, and I eased back, cupping his face. His eyes were still dark with emotion, but some of the tension had fallen away.
“Thank you,” he said simply.
I leaned forward and kissed him affectionately. “Thank you for telling me.”
“Am I forgiven?” He sighed, his hands gripping my hips. “I’ll try to do better, Rosie. Sometimes it hits me, and I react—”
I pressed a finger to his mouth. “Forgiven. I understand.”
“I do, as well. AJ comes first. I’ll try to hold back on my impulsive panic.”
“I’ll try to remember to look at my phone more often. I’m not used to anyone calling or checking in on me. If AJ is with me, I tend to forget.”
He smiled, tracing a finger down my cheek. “We both have things to learn. Me, some patience, and you, that you have someone who deeply cares.”
“We’ll figure it out.”
He lifted my hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to the knuckles. “I like the sound of that.”
“Me too.”
His stomach grumbled, and I frowned. “Are you hungry?”
“I didn’t eat. I was upset.”
“I’ll make you something.”
“I don’t want you to work. I’ll order something.”
I laughed. “Asher, it’s late on New Year’s Eve. Do you know how busy every place is? You won’t get delivery for hours.”
He looked mischievous, reaching for his phone. I rolled my eyes.
“Not even you,” I challenged.
He grinned. “Oh baby, now I have something to prove.”
