Page 71 of The Wish List
“Yes. He is worth all the struggles.”
He nodded. “Ask me.”
“Okay, describe your life in two words.”
“Desolate. Solitary.”
I felt my eyes widen. “What?”
“I’ve always held back from everyone. Even Suzy and Bonnie. I kept a little piece of myself locked away. But I can’t do that anymore. Not with you. And I realized every time you walk out that damn door, I hate it. I loathe it. I had no idea how lonely I was until you came into my life. How empty my world was. I had everything money could buy and nothing my heart needed to live.” He paused, swallowing. “Don’t leave, Rosie. Stay with me. Make this your home. Our home. When you and AJ are here, that is exactly what this place is. Home.”
“Asher,” I began, my voice thick.
“I love you. I love you both. I don’t want to be without you. I want you here when I come home. I want to know you’re safe. I want to be the one to take AJ to school and pick him up. I want us to be a family. I want to build a family with you. Stay here with me and make it happen, Rosie.”
My head was swimming with his sweet words. He slipped an arm around my waist, tugging me close. He pressed his lips to my forehead. “I want to look after you. Both of you. Nothing would make me happier.”
“I have to work, to pull my weight,” I protested.
“Let me carry it for a while, Rosie. Lean on me, and let me show you how good life can be. Let me spoil you,” he murmured against my skin. “Marry me and make me the happiest man on earth. Stay.” His sigh was a warm breath across my forehead. “Please.”
I tilted up my head. “Marry you?”
“I want it all with you. Marriage, babies, love. I want you forever.”
“I love you.”
He smiled. “Is that a yes?”
I stared at him.
He ran a finger down my cheek. “I told you that I was your unspoken Christmas wish, Rosie. But you know what? You are mylifewish. Everything I wanted, everything I needed but had no idea how to ask for. Please—” he bent, his mouth brushing mine “—make my wish come true.”
I flung my arms around his neck.
“Yes.”
EPILOGUE
FOUR MONTHS LATER
ASHER
Iglanced at my watch, seeing it was almost three in the afternoon. I had a meeting with my personal accountant. She was a new hire, extremely efficient, and very tough on my expenditures. She also looked after my company expense reports and seemed to take great delight in questioning my submissions. I enjoyed our biweekly sparring.
As soon as the meeting was over, it would be time to pick up AJ. He was a highlight in my days now. Always happy to see me, full of stories and laughter. Then tonight, I was taking my wife out on a date. I kept Maureen’s nannies busy with overtime, using them at least twice a week for date nights. AJ loved it—especially one of them. George was his favorite, the two of them bonding over dinosaurs and Legos.
A knock on my door brought me out of my musings. “Come in,” I called.
She walked in, bringing with her a thick file, a calculator, and a stern expression. She sat across from me, crossing her legs, setting her files on the edge of my desk. “Mr. Hart,” she greeted me.
I couldn’t help but stare at her. Dressed in a pale green silk blouse and black pencil skirt, she was extremely sexy. Her hair was up, wispy tendrils around her ears and neck. Emerald earrings glittered in her lobes. Her wedding rings sparkled in the sunlight, the diamonds catching the light.
I should never have hired her—she was far too much of a distraction to me.
But one I loved having around.
“Mrs. Hart,” I replied in a low voice.
