Page 42 of Asher's Assignment
A quick glance revealed it was from Liz. Esther groaned as she read it. Her friend wanted to know if she was ready to do the two-step on skates tonight. They had a team-building exercise she’d forgotten all about.
For a moment, she contemplated not going. The team-building events weren’t mandatory. Not everyone went. Especially the teachers who had kids in sports. But Esther enjoyed the evenings. They always went somewhere fun or interesting, and she’d learned a lot about her colleagues through these events. She knew not every school district had things to foster relationships with its staff, and she was grateful hers did.
Heaving a sigh, Esther pulled up the keyboard to text her back.
I completely forgot. There better be pizza at this thing. And cookies!
Dots appeared as Liv texted back.
There always is. What are you going to do about your buddy? He can come, you know. I’m bringing Neal. You know the administration encourages us to bring our significant others to these things.
Esther sighed and responded.
Asher is not my significant other. He’s just a friend.
The dots appeared again.
Bring him anyway. He’ll liven things up.
A laugh bubbled free. That was for sure. It didn’t matter that he was gorgeous. Just the fact Esther brought someone would get everyone talking. His looks would only add fuel to the fire.
As much as she wished she could get around bringing him, she didn’t think she could convince him to stay at home. She doubted he’d let her out of sight. Not after that note left on his car yesterday.
She texted Liv back.
I’ll think about it.
Her response was quick.
Don’t think. Do.
Esther chuckled under her breath. Liv had an agenda, and she was pretty sure it was driven by hormones.
The phone clicked as she turned the screen off. Getting up, she returned to her closet. Staring at the shelves, she grabbed a pair of black leggings, a plain pale-pink t-shirt, and some thicker socks, shoving them into a backpack. Her boots worked with the outfit, so she skipped the shoes.
Gear in hand, she headed downstairs.
Asher glanced up as she entered the kitchen, the smile of greeting on his face morphing to a slight frown as he saw her bag. “What’s that for?”
“So, I forgot about a thing I have this evening. My school does a team-building exercise once a month, and it’s tonight. You’re welcome to come. But you’ll want to pack some casual clothes. We’ll have to change at the rink. It’s right after I get done at Leah’s.”
“Oh. All right. Let me go up and grab some stuff. The coffee’s ready.” He pointed at the coffeemaker.
“Bless you.” She needed the jolt.
“You’re welcome.”
She was already pouring as he left the room, a grin on his face.
Seventeen
Oh, man.
Asher stared at the sign of the building he’d just pulled up to. This wouldn’t end well.
He clenched his teeth, working his jaw as he shut the car off. Maybe she wouldn’t make him skate. Maybe he could get away with being a cheerleader.
She glanced at him with a bright smile as she yanked on her door handle. “Come on. They’ll start the party without us.”
