Page 37 of Love in the Storm

Asa stepped up behind Lyric, and she bit her lips between her teeth to stifle her smile. It was impossible to ignore her body’s reaction when he was so close.

He didn’t treat her like a criminal. Well, he had once, but even then, he’d believed she deserved a second chance.

Asa inhaled, and a content hum rumbled in his chest. “Smells great.”

“Good. I’ve been slaving over this meal for hours,” she joked.

Asa’s soft chuckle sent a thrilling chill up her spine.

He leaned back against the counter beside the stove and crossed his arms over his chest, accentuating his muscles. “Mom said to tell you she’s glad you’re taking care of me.”

“I think it’s been the other way around,” Lyric admitted.

“Nah. If you hadn’t been here, I wouldn’t have had a place to go after the wreck.”

“But I didn’t actuallydoanything,” Lyric said.

“You did. You went out in the storm to help. You bandaged my head. You washed and dried my clothes. You ran back into the storm to get the generator.”

“That wasn’t my most heroic moment.”

“It was still appreciated. Of all the people I could have gotten stuck with, I’m glad it was you.”

His sincerity was heartbreaking. He was blindly trusting her, and she selfishly wanted to hang onto the hope that he could see the person she was working on instead of the screwup she’d been.

“I’m glad you’re the one I got stuck with too, although I hate you’re stranded out here away from your family.”

“It helps to know they’re safe at home.”

She risked a glance at Asa, and he was looking back at her. Knowing his family was taken care of left him without anything to focus on except her, and she selfishly wanted all his attention. Asa had a way of making her feel special, wanted even. His gaze was adoring and held none of the scrutiny and glares she usually got from people who knew her past.

“They’re lucky to have you,” Lyric said.

Asa shifted his stance, which brought them closer together. “Who do you have?”

Lyric’s eyes widened. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, your family, friends, anyone. Who’s important in your life? I have Jacob, my mom, and my friends. Who do you have?”

Lyric felt her heart rate rise and her breaths strain. She used to have people–ones she couldcount on–but she’d chased them away with a series of bad decisions.

She tore her gaze from Asa and flipped off the stove burner. “I think this is ready.”

Asa caught her arm as she turned to get the bowls. His grip was gentle, asking instead of demanding she acknowledge his question.

“I’m sorry. You don’t have to tell me anything,” Asa said. “I’m just curious about you. All of this feels like a big step for me, but it also doesn’t. Does that make sense? For the first time in years, I want something. I want to know more about you, but only if that’s something you want to share with me.”

The hurt in his tone made her chest ache. It wasn’t his fault she was afraid. He was the last person she should fear. He was the dictionary definition of “good guy,” and he didn’t deserve the caution that was a part of her everyday life.

“My family isn’t like yours. I do have one friend, and she’s good to me, but that’s all.”

Asa’s hand slid down her arm. He threaded his fingers with hers and tightened his grip, as if firmly planting himself beside her. “What if I said you can have me?”

That did it. Those words and the sincerity behind them had Lyric’s eyes filling with moisture, and she didn’t want to break down in front of him.

Before the waterworks started, Asa tugged on her hand. When she let her body sway toward him,he cradled their joined hands to his chest and wrapped his other arm around her. With her cheek resting against his chest, she let a tear silently fall onto his shirt. It was gone in an instant, soaked up by the fabric.

He was pulling the sad and broken parts away from her. Letting the hurt leave and breathing in his comfort freed her in a way she didn’t deserve.

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