Page 63 of On One Condition

“It definitely was.” Sarah smiles before being pulled away by a customer’s question.

“I’m going to get a little something to take to Gran when I see her later,” I say. In less than ten minutes, I’ve purchased the gift I picked out for her, and we’re heading back out the door.

“I definitely need to come back here.”

“I know. It’s a treasure trove.”

“You should tell her you grow lavender,” Nita says. “Maybe do a trade. Lavender for free products.”

“I wouldn’t complain about that,” I say, looking back over my shoulder to note the store’s name. Just in case I need to know it in the future.

“What are we doing here, anyway?”

“Besides having some girl time?”

She narrows her eyes and stares at me. “What are you up to?”

I point to the little boutique at the end of the street. “I hear they’re having a huge sale this week.”

Nita’s eyebrows shoot up. “Hell. I wasn’t going to ask for details about last night—”

“Yes, you were.”

“You’re right.” She laughs. “I was. But if we’re playing hooky to come here to buy you lingerie, I don’t think I need to ask.”

“Not lingerie.” She narrows her eyes and tries to understand. “More like needing to up my bra and panty game.”

“He was that good you’re going back for seconds, huh?”

“Or fourths or fifths.” I slide a look her way just in time to catch her mouth shock open into an O. “So yes, I need something more than my practical T-shirt bra and boring panties.”

“Otherwise called lingerie.” She laughs. “There’s more to lingerie than garters with stockings and scraps of lace, Asher, although I’m pretty sure Ledger wouldn’t mind you adding those to your repertoire either.”

I roll my eyes as we cross the street. “So you’re really not going to ask about last night?”

“Oh honey, you bet your ass I’m going to ask. I want all the details. His skill level. Your orgasm count. Size and shape are important details too.” She hooks her arm through mine as we enter the shop. “And every damn detail in between.”

I laugh. I can’t help it because Ledger was right. I have the goofiest smile plastered on my face.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Ledger

Nine Years Ago

“Don’t go anywhere, Ledger.” Callahan and Ford dart glances my way as they make their way around the conference room table toward the door. Both of them just as curious as I am as to why our dad has requested that I stay behind when they get to leave.

I lower myself back down into my seat as Callahan mouths the word “sucker” to me before flashing a grin and heading out the door.

Fucker.

My dad moves toward the floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the conference room. His daily uniform is in place: starched, white dress shirt, a solid, bold-colored tie, gold cufflinks that my mom gave him on his birthday the year she passed, and dark gray slacks.

I look at him expectantly, my knee jogging as the collar of my own dress shirt feels like it’s tightening around my neck. And I wait.

No one rushes my father. He speaks when he wants to, and when he chooses to, you best be listening.

“It wasn’t good enough,” he says in a calm tone, his back still toward me.