It was so new to talk openly with his dad,but he was finding him helpful and supportive so far today. “I loveher. We’ve only known each other a few weeks. As much as I’m in abig old hurry to move in with her, get married… I know I tend torush into things. Maybe we should slow things down a bit.”
Paul patted him roughly on the shoulder. “Youjust might be growing up after all. Keep following those instinctsas they tend to lead you in the right direction, but probably goodto slow things down a bit. Leave them wanting more; worked for meand your mom.” He flashed a clever wink.
He was about to walk away when Asher stoppedhim for one last question. “What about the apartment over Grandpa’sgarage? I have a buddy that needs a place.”
Kicking a rock absent-mindedly, Paul ponderedthe situation. “The current tenant actually just moved out. Shouldbe ready in a week or two. Zane?”
Asher nodded. He’d wanted the place forhimself, but knew if he lived right next door to Sophie, he may aswell move in with her. No, he wanted to be the man she deserved,not a can’t cook, can’t do his own laundry freeloader.
“Sure thing. I’ll write it up; start with sixmonths while he settles in.”
Pulling out his phone, Asher shot a quickmessage to Zane.Found you some pretty great digs.He sentthe 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 thinkthis through, did you son?Phew, and here Asher was thinkinghis 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 hisdiaphragm and moved upward into a bemused chuckle. “Grady’s goingto have a spare bedroom.” He could bum some life skill lessons offof his new friend and irritate the crap out of him while he was atit. Win-win.
***
Madly, Sophie fired off another text thatbounced right back. Pippa was completely off the grid.
If she could just explain. Tearing herfingernails out of her teeth, she stood from the foot of her bedand paced some more. She pulled her phone back out and dialed adifferent number.
“What up?” Freya answered in delightfullyunnatural slang.
“When are you moving back to town?” Sophiecut right to the chase. She wasn’t in the mood to mess around.
“Actually, now. I need to fly back to wrap afew things up, but I should be back in a few weeks with my weeworldly possessions.”
“I’m thinking of buying a house. Want to beroomies for a few months? I can offer you cheap rent while yousettle back into town and use your artist brain to make the placebeautiful?” Sophie described the gorgeous house she’d fallen inlove with.
Freya’s laugh was superb, full and rich fromdeep in her gut. “I can’t believe that place is available. AskUncle Paul about it. It was our grandpa’s.”
“So that’s a no?” Sad butterflies flappedtheir pitiful wings in her gut. Now what? She really wanted thathouse.
“That’s actually a well disguised yes. Iwould have thought you’d ask Asher rather than me?”
“I want to. But, we’re so new. I kind of wantto let him romance me a bit first. You know, before we startforever.” Smiling to herself, Sophie felt relieved with her plan.That’s what she needed. What would make it all okay. Some goodold-fashioned courting.
“Let’s do it. If Uncle Paul won’t sell, seeif you can talk him into a six-month lease. I anticipate Asher willhave moved in full time by then anyway. I think Uncle Paul washoping to keep the place in the family.” She was quicklydiscovering that Freya was quite sensible despite her free-spiritedways and was proving to be a pretty great friend.
Sophie wanted to jump for joy but was stilltoo jaded after the day she’d had. Maybe a happy dance once thingswere sorted out with Pippa. Actually, Pippa had pretty much taughther the happy dance, so it was tough to even consider withouther.
Disconnecting the call, Sophie headedstraight 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 abetter 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 beclose to him. He was already self-medicating with a swim, so shejoined him in the pool. Surfacing in the middle, she waited for himto finish his laps and join her.
“Hey. Didn’t expect to see you. Thought youwere mad at me.” He looked adorable, hair spiked on end as he shookhis head and treaded water in front of her. The sadness, the fearin his eyes broke her heart. Had she made him worry that she wasbailing?
“Hey. I found a place to rent. Your grandpa’sold place. Freya agreed to move in with me for six months.” Shegaged 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 toexplain her plan. How to make him understand? “I have thisamazingly sweet, sexy boyfriend I wanted to ask. But I think heneeds a few cooking lessons first.” She grinned at him.
He sighed, looking less dejected as heprocessed what she’d said. “You’re not wrong. How about we havetons of sex, of course, and I get to be your boyfriend while I showyou just how much I need you forever. Six months. That’s it; youknow I’m too damn impatient to wait any longer than that. Then,your landlord is selling that place out from under you,” hewinked.
