A bit sooner than she’d planned, but maybe worth making an offer to buy it? Flashing to Asher, she considered asking what he thought. If he was ready.
Moving in together… sounded fantastic. She was outrageously, head over heels in love with him. That wasn’t changing. But this was officially his longest relationship.
Freya was moving back into town soon and needed a roommate. She was an artist, maybe she’d agree to cheap rent in exchange for help fixing up the place.
Her phone chirped with an incoming text. Mind bringing your brain? Found a good truck, but the math isn’t adding up.
Smiling weakly, she responded, ETA ten minutes. Taking one last, longing look at the house, she headed back for the dealership.
Everything about Asher was amazing, everything she’d ever wanted. More than she’d dared to hope for. Supportive, generous, fun to visit with. Damn sexy.
But so very new.
***
Asher ran his hand across the pristine dash of his new truck, admiring the fancy touch screen and buttons with all kinds of alien symbols. Like Sophie, it had been worth the wait. The thing was all shiny and new with all the bells and whistles.
Done with any more bullshit in her life, Sophie hadn’t given the dealer an inch and had gotten him a killer deal. Calculating the interest rate and payments in her head, she hadn’t given them a chance to catch up to her. Fucking knockout. He’d never grow tired of looking at her. But something about that sexy brain of hers. Her quiet calculations, how she formed that cute little crease between her eyebrows when something didn’t add up.
The morning had really messed with her. With both of them. They’d worked so hard to protect her, only to ruin it in one brief second. He had to get Pippa to accept this. How could they build a life together with such strain on the foundation?
Following Sophie back home again, he didn’t know what he was going to say when they got home. If she’d talk to him. She’d hardly said a word all day.
Sophie was already in the house by the time he pulled into the driveway. With his new job starting soon, he hadn’t wanted to risk the embarrassment of a speeding ticket from a future coworker, but she’d had hauled ass to get home.
If Pippa would answer her damn phone, maybe he could talk her down a bit. She’d been ignoring his calls and texts all day. Phone turned off in a big fuck-you gesture.
Paul came out of the house as soon as he arrived. “Nice ride.”
He’d already alienated his sister today, and his unspoken truce with his dad was fragile enough. As much as he wanted to go after Sophie, it was probably better to give her some space and spend a little quality time with his dad. “Thanks. Fancier than I was going for, but Sophie talked them down. Took one look at the deal they’d come up with and tore the poor sales guy a new one.”
Climbing in the driver’s seat as Asher got out, Paul started playing with the buttons, fiddling with the touch screen. Hell, Asher couldn’t figure the dang thing out either. “She’s a smart one. Good choice. I was afraid you’d end up with someone like Pippa’s old friends back in the day, at the rate you were going.”
Utterly confused, Asher raised his eyebrows in question.
Laughing, Paul shook his head at his clueless son. “I figured of anyone, you’d remember some of the halfwits she brought home. Hardly a complete brain between the lot. Flighty, giggly bunch they were. Drove me nuts. Although, you didn’t seem to mind.” He gave him a knowing look.
“I guess I hadn’t thought about it.” He had often wondered about Pippa’s taste in friends. With all of her attentions devoted to Lincoln in high school, then the book nerd she turned out to be in college, she really hadn’t had much in the line of decent girlfriends over the years.
“Sophie came in the house a few minutes ago. Tried to hide the red eyes, but Denise figured things out pretty quick. Once I made sure you hadn’t been the one to make her cry, I was out of there.” Hopping back out of the truck, Paul had the hood popped and was performing his perfunctory paternal inspection.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do if Pippa doesn’t come around.” Running his hands through his hair, still longer than he was used to, even with the recent trim for the wedding, Asher tried to focus on the engine rather than the crappy turn his love life had just taken.
“She’ll be fine. Despite her bitching and moaning, your sister is a romantic at heart. Give her a few days.” Paul fiddled with a few of the nobs and wires before dropping the hood. Asher couldn’t wait to get his hands in there and figure out the mechanics of it. Technology had changed quite a bit. He’d definitely need an updated manual.
“Hey, you tend to know these things. Sophie’s looking for a rental house outside of town. Any of your customers updating their rentals for new tenants?” Asher shoved his hands in his pockets, not sure how to phrase it. He knew it was too soon, but he was sort of hoping Sophie would agree to finding a place together.
Paul considered for a moment, then nodded as his face lit up with a bright idea. “Actually, Grandpa’s place just opened up.”
“You still renting that out? I thought you’d sold it by now.” Grandpa’s place was perfect. The view was to die for. Without a doubt, the house would probably need updates, but Paul would have kept it in adequate repair.
“Sure am. I wanted to keep it in the family, if one of you were interested when the day came. Grandpa built that from the ground up. Needs a lot of work, but that’s all superficial. For Sophie, I could give her a good deal.”
“How much you want for the house?” Both stood a few feet apart, legs spread wide and arms crossed. Scary when one looked so remarkably like one’s father. It was promising that they wouldn’t always be at odds.
Shifting his feet, Paul looked beyond pleased but tried to hide it behind his considering scowl. As he hadn’t mentioned anything in all these years, Asher suspected he didn’t want to pressure anyone. Again, not like him, but the house was a bit of a sensitive topic. “You thinking of buying it?”
“Hell yeah. I need a few paychecks first though. About drained my short-term savings for the down payment on the truck.” The place was gorgeous. Asher had wanted it for years but was never sure if he would be moving back or staying in the navy or who knows what.
“How about this. We’ll lease it to Sophie for a few months while you’re getting settled in the police department. Then, we’ll see about you making an offer.” Paul gave him a wink that almost looked pleased. Maybe even proud.
“Probably a good idea. I…” Asher tried to explain his thoughts; his brain twisted in confusion as he struggled to say something emotional to his inflexible father.
Suddenly, he felt full sympathy for when Paul had attempted to give him the sex talk. When a man and a woman fall in love… babies… and… diseases… just use a damn condom. Little did Paul know–or maybe he had but realized he’d better get his butt in gear–he’d been about two years late on that topic.
It was so new to talk openly with his dad, but he was finding him helpful and supportive so far today. “I love her. We’ve only known each other a few weeks. As much as I’m in a big old hurry to move in with her, get married… I know I tend to rush into things. Maybe we should slow things down a bit.”
Paul patted him roughly on the shoulder. “You just might be growing up after all. Keep following those instincts as they tend to lead you in the right direction, but probably good to slow things down a bit. Leave them wanting more; worked for me and your mom.” He flashed a clever wink.
He was about to walk away when Asher stopped him for one last question. “What about the apartment over Grandpa’s garage? I have a buddy that needs a place.”
Kicking a rock absent-mindedly, Paul pondered the situation. “The current tenant actually just moved out. Should be ready in a week or two. Zane?”
Asher nodded. He’d wanted the place for himself, but knew if he lived right next door to Sophie, he may as well move in with her. No, he wanted to be the man she de
served, not a can’t cook, can’t do his own laundry freeloader.
“Sure thing. I’ll write it up; start with six months while he settles in.”
Pulling out his phone, Asher shot a quick message to Zane. Found you some pretty great digs. He sent the address and Paul’s number.
His phone buzzed in response. Acknowledged. See you next week.
“Where are you going to live?” His dad asked, eyebrows raised in his traditional expression of, didn’t think this through, did you son? Phew, and here Asher was thinking his dad just might respect him as an adult. Nah, not there yet. Maybe give it another decade and try again.
A bubble of laughter filled from his diaphragm and moved upward into a bemused chuckle. “Grady’s going to have a spare bedroom.” He could bum some life skill lessons off of his new friend and irritate the crap out of him while he was at it. Win-win.
***
Madly, Sophie fired off another text that bounced right back. Pippa was completely off the grid.
If she could just explain. Tearing her fingernails out of her teeth, she stood from the foot of her bed and paced some more. She pulled her phone back out and dialed a different number.
“What up?” Freya answered in delightfully unnatural slang.
“When are you moving back to town?” Sophie cut right to the chase. She wasn’t in the mood to mess around.
“Actually, now. I need to fly back to wrap a few things up, but I should be back in a few weeks with my wee worldly possessions.”
“I’m thinking of buying a house. Want to be roomies for a few months? I can offer you cheap rent while you settle back into town and use your artist brain to make the place beautiful?” Sophie described the gorgeous house she’d fallen in love with.
Freya’s laugh was superb, full and rich from deep in her gut. “I can’t believe that place is available. Ask Uncle Paul about it. It was our grandpa’s.”
“So that’s a no?” Sad butterflies flapped their pitiful wings in her gut. Now what? She really wanted that house.
“That’s actually a well disguised yes. I would have thought you’d ask Asher rather than me?”
“I want to. But, we’re so new. I kind of want to let him romance me a bit first. You know, before we start forever.” Smiling to herself, Sophie felt relieved with her plan. That’s what she needed. What would make it all okay. Some good old-fashioned courting.
“Let’s do it. If Uncle Paul won’t sell, see if you can talk him into a six-month lease. I anticipate Asher will have moved in full time by then anyway. I think Uncle Paul was hoping to keep the place in the family.” She was quickly discovering that Freya was quite sensible despite her free-spirited ways and was proving to be a pretty great friend.
Sophie wanted to jump for joy but was still too jaded after the day she’d had. Maybe a happy dance once things were sorted out with Pippa. Actually, Pippa had pretty much taught her the happy dance, so it was tough to even consider without her.
Disconnecting the call, Sophie headed straight out to find Paul. He wasn’t surprised at her inquiry. Apparently, he had a potential buyer that needed six months anyway, so the timing was perfect. When the time came, she’d give him a better offer than the buyer he had in the wings.
Asher didn’t take the news quite so well. Despite the awful morning, or maybe because of it, she needed to be close to him. He was already self-medicating with a swim, so she joined him in the pool. Surfacing in the middle, she waited for him to finish his laps and join her.
“Hey. Didn’t expect to see you. Thought you were mad at me.” He looked adorable, hair spiked on end as he shook his head and treaded water in front of her. The sadness, the fear in his eyes broke her heart. Had she made him worry that she was bailing?
“Hey. I found a place to rent. Your grandpa’s old place. Freya agreed to move in with me for six months.” She gaged his reaction.
“Great,” he tried to look pleased for her, but his eyes were heavy, the honey in them downright blue.
Treading water a few feet away, she tried to explain her plan. How to make him understand? “I have this amazingly sweet, sexy boyfriend I wanted to ask. But I think he needs a few cooking lessons first.” She grinned at him.
He sighed, looking less dejected as he processed what she’d said. “You’re not wrong. How about we have tons of sex, of course, and I get to be your boyfriend while I show you just how much I need you forever. Six months. That’s it; you know I’m too damn impatient to wait any longer than that. Then, your landlord is selling that place out from under you,” he winked.
She sent a huge splash his way. “So, you’re the potential buyer? You’ll have to fight me for it.”
Sleekly moving through the water, she shrieked when he caught up to her and dragged her to him. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she kissed him with all the love she possessed. Holding her up against him as he kept them both afloat, he whispered words of adoration in her ears. Melting, she knew this was right.
23
All the Days After
Days passed, and still no response from his sister. Stubborn ass. She wasn’t making this easy on him. Hopefully, at least for Lincoln’s sake, she hadn’t been festering the whole time but was enjoying her honeymoon.
They weren’t due to return for another three days, so Asher was surprised when he saw the dust storm coming down the driveway. Coming out when he saw the car, Sophie didn’t tolerate waiting in the wings this time.
Pulling up to the house, Pippa stepped cautiously out of the car. She looked pretty bummed. Shit. They must have left before dawn to get here so early.
Waiting for her to speak first, Asher bit his tongue.
Took her a minute, standing in front of the car, arms crossed and eyes red. “I’m sorry I didn’t hear you out. I haven’t slept much, thinking back on the last few weeks. A few words you said kept echoing in my head, then I thought about some of the details I hadn’t paid attention to while I was in full bridezilla mode. It took me a while to settle down and process everything. Poor Lincoln has put up with me the last three weeks, then the last three days… but I needed to get back and talk this out.” She took a deep breath before continuing. “I shouldn’t judge so quickly.”
Asher’s heart was breaking with hers. He hated that he’d caused her so much pain. Maybe they should have given her the benefit of the doubt and told her sooner.
Arms folded across his chest, he tried to swallow the heavy sensation. “I’m sorry about before. I am impulsive, and that’s led me to some terrible decisions. But I’m not sure I can change that about me. Not sure I want to. If I changed, I might not be the man Sophie fell in love with.”
“She… what?” His poor sister. She stared at him, watching for the joke that never came. Her eyes were soft and gooey, desperately hoping he wasn’t kidding.
Looking to Lincoln, she raised her eyebrows in question. Asher couldn’t see his response, but Pippa’s lip stuck out in a weepy pout. Finally, she glanced to Sophie who had her hand stuck in her mouth as she gnawed away at those poor stubby nails.
Dropping her hands, Sophie came running over. Not putting up with Pippa’s stiff posture or pouty lip, Sophie threw her arms around her friend. “I love you Pippa. You’re my best friend and that’s never changing.” Pippa softened and let the waterworks flow.
Asher watched as the two cried it out and muttered unintelligible explanations and apologies.
With a final sniffle, Sophie stepped back to stand at Asher’s side and wrapped her arm around his waist as she leaned into him. “I’m glad you never let me meet Asher sooner. You were right all along. I fell for him the second I laid eyes on him. Trouble is, I’m not giving him up… Or you.”
Lincoln walked and took his place next to Pippa. He tucked her against his side, happy couple mirroring happy couple. Pippa finally managed to speak, a shaky smile forming on her face, “You guys really love each other?”
With a laugh of relief, Asher kissed the top of Sophie’s head and nod
ded. “Hell yeah. I guess I always knew your best friend was the one for me. Sorry for getting it wrong a few times before I figured out which one.” He winked and pulled Sophie tighter against him.
Pippa shook her head at her own foolishness. Apologizing to her friend, her voice shook. “After all the grief I gave you, I was the one that nearly ruined our friendship. I’m sorry.”
Weepy, but swiftly transitioning to happy tears, the ladies led the way into the house. Lincoln brewed a fresh pot of coffee, likely exhausted from their early start. Sophie started washing fresh fruit. Pippa pulled out a pan and some bacon.
“Asher, if you’re going to be with Sophie, there are a few things you need to get straight first.” She shoved the pan at him and aimed him at the stove. “She likes her bacon crispy. Eggs scrambled with cheese.”
And Asher’s cooking lessons began. The bacon didn’t turn out too bad. It was so crispy it melted in your mouth, but Sophie seemed to like it.
~ The End ~
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