Page 56 of Legacy Ascended

Jessica

Ander didn’t go back to his family’s estate last night.

Just before midnight, he sent me two messages.

I told them no.

Dinner tomorrow?

I told him I was glad. Then I said yes to dinner.

Sophia is sitting on my desk, eating an apple, watching me struggle with the clasp at the back of my neck.

"I can't fasten it one-handed, and the left won't go up that far."

"So either be naked at dinner or let me help."

"Sophia."

She hops down and fastens it immediately, then straightens my collar with the seriousness of a woman preparing somebody for an inspection.

"You're nervous."

"I am not nervous."

"You've done your hair."

"I always do my hair."

“You’ve done it differently, which is how I know.” She steps back and looks me over. “I approve of him, by the way.”

“Nobody asked you.”

“He has fabulous shoes, and he gave Renzo his potatoes without making him beg. I’ve seen enough.”

“That’s your standard?”

“Good shoes and generosity under pressure? Absolutely.”

Torres is on the couch when I come out, and he looks up from his laptop and does a genuinely offensive slow whistle.

"Looking good, mama."

"Stop it."

"I'm not doing anything. I'm sitting here having a completely respectful reaction to my girlfriend leaving the house." He grins. "Have a good night."

The knock comes exactly when Ander said it would, because of course it does.

He's in a coat I haven't seen before and no tie, which for him is practically undressed, and when I open the door he stops a beat too long before he says anything.

"You look—" He stops. Starts again. "I've thought about this all afternoon and I had something prepared, and it's gone."

"What was it?"

"Something extremely elegant."

"Well, now we'll never know."