Page 45 of The Wish List
He smiled. “I know you are. You’re exceedingly strong.”
“Not always.”
“I think you’re incredible.”
I waved off his compliment. “You’re biased.” I stood, stopping to drop a kiss to his mouth. “It’s the sex. It’s clouded your mind.”
He tugged me to his lap, wrapping his arm around me, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “It’s you, Rosie. I’m in constant awe of you.”
I snuggled close, loving his scent, his warmth, and the way he saw me. “Thank you.”
He tipped up my chin and kissed me again. “You’re welcome.” Then he grinned. “But if you want to remind me about the sex thing, I’m all for it.”
I laughed. “With AJ awake? Good luck.”
He returned my amusement. “We’ll have to wait until he’s asleep, then.”
“Good plan.”
* * *
The apartment was chilly by the time the heat was fixed. Asher was anxious and upset as we waited. AJ and I were used to it and added blankets. I had to admit, as the temperature dropped, the invitation to go to Asher’s condo looked better than ever. When the pipes clanked and hissed, indicating the heat had returned, I blew out a relieved breath. We were snuggled on the sofa watching a movie when it happened, and Asher frowned.
“Took them long enough.”
“Sometimes it gets cold out here,” AJ informed him. “But Momma puts a heater in my room so I’m okay.” He bounded away to get a drink, and Asher studied me.
“So, you make sure he’s warm, and you suffer?”
“I sleep on the floor of his room. In the daytime, I bring the heater out here so we are warmer. It’s rare when it’s off longer.” I lifted one shoulder. “I can’t afford to go to a hotel, so we do the best we can.”
He shook his head but didn’t respond. I knew he couldn’t imagine living the way we did, but AJ and I were fine. We did the best we could with what we had, and we were happy. One day, we’d have more. I was working toward it. I headed to the kitchen and put on a pot of coffee to brew. Asher followed, sitting at the table.
AJ came into the kitchen, and I smiled at him. “Time to cut your hair.”
He rolled his eyes, always hating to have his unruly locks trimmed, but I had an ace up my sleeve. “I’ll cut Asher’s first if you want.”
They both stared at me. “Um,” Asher said, for the first time sounding hesitant. “Cut my hair?”
“It’s beginning to hang in your eyes.”
“I can see my barber in a couple of days.”
I held up my scissors. “But I have time now.” I pulled a chair in front of me and patted the seat. “It’ll only take a minute.”
He sat down, and I unfurled the cape, draping it around his shoulders. I spritzed the water on his hair and combed it. Standing in front of him, I pursed my lips. He looked decidedly nervous, which I found amusing. Asher was never nervous.
“Have you cut any hair aside from AJ’s?” he asked.
I tilted my head. “I watched lots of YouTube.”
He swallowed, and I had to laugh. “I took a course. You’ll be fine.”
I was done in five minutes, tidying up the ends and trimming the front. As a joke, I pretended to make a mistake, widening my eyes and looking at my closed hand. “Well, thank goodness it grows back,” I muttered, my voice horrified.
“Oh God, how bad?” Asher groaned.
I began to laugh as I uncurled my fingers and showed him there was nothing there. “Gotcha.”
