Page 23 of Asher's Assignment
She huffed. “Actually, I’d rather not address it at all.” She lifted her coffee cup and took a big gulp. It hadn’t occurred to her what other issues Asher’s presence in her life would cause. If they told everyone they were dating, it would explain why he was hanging around, but then she’d have to field all the questions about what went wrong when he left. “This would be easier if Mom and Dad hadn’t met you.”
“True. But honestly, you’re making this into a bigger issue than it is.” He tipped his head back, draining his coffee.
Was he for real? “You do know this is my life you’re complicating, right? I have to live it when you leave.”
“I know. But what I mean is, we can tell people I came up to see if we can make something of how we feel, but I can’t stay because of work obligations. We can fake a long-distance thing with everyone for a while, then tell them a few months from now that we decided to end it.”
Esther frowned at her coffee mug. While that didn’t sound that complicated, she still detested the idea of dealing with it all. But she didn’t see another way. He was here, and as much as she hated to admit it, she felt better with him around.
“All right, fine.” She pushed away from the island, standing, and shook a finger at him. “But you keep your hands to yourself.”
One side of his mouth kicked up, and he touched two fingers to his temple. “Scout’s honor.”
Esther let out a soft snort and headed for the sink and away from the teasing glint in his eyes. “Why do I get the feeling you were never a Boy Scout?”
He chuckled. “I’ll behave.”
She certainly hoped so. It was a tenuous thread holding back the urge to wrap her arms around him so she could feel what that perfectly sculpted body of his felt like pressed up against hers.
Nine
Asher slipped a finger beneath his shirt collar and tugged, questioning why he’d decided to wear a tie. It had been years since he strangled himself with one. Even at all the weddings he’d been to recently, he hadn’t worn one; the attire had been much less formal. But as he got dressed this morning, his grandmother’s face had popped into his head, and he’d heard her reminding him as a boy to straighten his tie as they left the house for church. So, he’d put one on.
Truthfully, it wasn’t the tie that had him feeling restricted. It was the need quietly pulsing through his veins for the woman who sat beside him. With her hair plaited and her makeup minimal, she looked demure and ladylike in her colorful maxi skirt and pale green blouse. She was the type of woman he’d always wanted. Not the flashy, overly made up, rail-thin models he tended to attract. He wanted a lady. Someone kind and polite, but passionate. One who didn’t care if her hair wasn’t always perfect or that her clothes weren’t part of the latest trend. Just someone who was real. Esther fit that bill perfectly.
“Take the next left. The church is on the right.” She pointed ahead, breaking into his thoughts.
He nodded and slowed. When they left the house, he’d asked to drive. Not only because he was more comfortable being in the driver’s seat in case something happened, but because he’d parked in the driveway behind the single-car garage that housed her vehicle. To take hers, he would have to move his car, anyway. It just made sense to take his rental.
Turning the corner, he saw the church just down the street. The parking lot wasn’t too crowded yet, but they were a bit early. He pulled in and parked.
Another car pulled in as he shut the SUV off, and Esther let out a little grumble.
“Are you ready for this?” She nodded toward the car. “That’s my mom and dad.”
He flashed her a quick grin and unbuckled. “Yep.” Yanking on the door handle, he got out.
Rounding the hood, he held out a hand to Esther. She paused near the headlight and stared at it.
“Take my hand, Essy. You want them to think we’re dating, right?”
She took a deep breath and laced her fingers with his.
“Smile.” He tugged her closer. “They’ll think I’m an ogre.”
That made her chuckle softly. “They will not. You charmed the pants off them in Costa Rica.”
“People’s public personas can be much different than their private ones.”
“True, but they know Edie wouldn’t associate with someone who wasn’t a good person.” She grumbled again. “I hate giving them false hope that I found someone they like.”
A voice in the back of Asher’s mind called out that she might not be as deceptive as she thought. He could see himself with this woman. How they’d make it work, he didn’t know. But it wasn’t out of the realm of possibilities.
“Esther?” Her mother, Faye, walked closer, then stopped as she got a good look at Essy’s companion. “What—? Asher, what are you doing here?” Her gaze dropped to their clasped hands, and her expression brightened. “All right, spill.” She waved a hand at their linked fingers.
“Hi, Mrs. Campbell.” Asher turned up the wattage on his smile and aimed it at Faye.
“Don’t turn that charm on me. When did this happen?” She glanced at her husband. “Did you know about this?”
