Page 75 of For Your Consideration

“But—”

“Go with Asher, go snuggle Soph, and just relax. I can manage for a few hours. We have no meetings and front reception can man the phones if for some reason everything starts to burn to the ground,” she said with a look on her face like she was confident that wouldn’t happen. “I promise.”

“Come on, sweetheart.” Asher put his hand on my lower back before I could say anything, effectively making my decision for me.

Which was fine; my brain was a mess. I wouldn’t have gotten anything done anyway.

Somehow, he passed my keys to Jaxson who said he would drive my car to Asher’s place and Asher would drive me home to pick up Sophie. Jaxson and Will even got the car seat out of my car and into Asher’s truck while I grabbed my purse. Asher had me double check the car seat but they’d managed to put it in correctly. Which was impressive because it took me so long to figure out how to install the damn thing the first time.

I didn’t say anything as we drove, but Asher’s steady grip on my hand was comforting, as was the music he turned on. I traced circles over the tattoos on the back of his hand with my thumb as I leaned my head back on the seat.

Today had been exhausting. And I only had the car ride to pull myself together again to give Sophie everything she needed.

Just like I tried to do for her every day. No matter what other shit was going on around us.

20

Sutton

When we showed up to get Sophie, I gave Iris a quick rundown of what had happened this afternoon. She gave me and Asher a hug before she told me she was going out to bowl with her friends tonight. It almost felt like she was making sure I didn’t back out of going with Asher.

I’d held Sophie against my chest and hugged her extra tight, letting her happy babbling calm some of my anxiety.

Asher got Sophie ready while I changed into comfy clothes. When I came into the living room, I saw him holding her and whispering something in her ear before he softly kissed her head. A few tears sprang to my eyes while I grabbed a few extra things he had missed and then we were back in the car, the warm June air coming in through the windows.

“Where are we going?” I asked as we drove in the direction of Quinn’s place. I knew he had an apartment near the Knight Enterprises offices, so that was where I thought he’d be taking me.

“To my place,” he said as we turned onto a residential street.

“I thought you were downtown.” I frowned as he pulled into a driveway. We were walking distance to Quinn’s, maybe less than a block.

“Didn’t feel right anymore. Plus, I’ve spent a lot of years being next door to Knight. It felt weird being so far away.”

I smiled as he looked away and got out of the car.

Asher pushed me away when I went to grab Sophie, so instead I turned to look at the house. It had a white brick façade that made it look inviting while the black window packages added some grandeur. The front double doors were made of wood, the landscaping perfect around the front with a big lawn and bushes. The house was set far enough back that the big windows couldn’t be seen from the road, offering a lot of privacy.

I followed him inside the house, which was even more spectacular. There was an archway from the entrance into the living room, with warm wood beams visible across the ceiling. The white walls and finishes were softened with cream furniture, wood accents, and plants.

“Wow. Was this recently renovated?”

“Yeah, Noah had a team working day and night to get it done fast.” He sounded odd but I kept wandering around the space.

The open kitchen was to our left, the wood beams continuing overhead and connecting the rooms. The counters were white marble, the lower cabinets wood, and the uppers a soft cream. The stove was in an arched alcove, covered in the same marble.

“What do you think?”

I looked back at him still standing in the foyer, holding Sophie’s carrier in one hand.

Why did he sound nervous?

“It’s beautiful, Ash.” I looked around in wonder, taking in the large couch and wood bookshelves on either side of the TV. It was a family home and one day he’d have one here with him. That thought made me want to crawl out of my skin.

I didn’t know how I would feel about that if I was still around, still his friend. Eventually our friendship would change—it would have to. Even though I hated the thought.

He nodded and then took off his shoes. “I moved in two weeks ago,” he commented as he put Sophie on the ground and started unbuckling her.

“You didn’t mention it.” I bit my lip, trying not to sound off. I’d been sharing a lot about myself, but he hadn’t even told me something as major as moving house and that was making me a little self-conscious.