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I envy his innocence so much and wish there was a way to take a piece of it for myself. If I could block this whole situation out of my mind, I would.
My phone rings and I fish it out of my pocket hoping it’s Asher, but my heart clenches tightly in my chest when I see it’s not him on the other end.
I close my eyes and take a deep breath before answering the call. “Yes, Magdalene?”
“Hurry up and bring Jacob home so you can clean this pigsty. I pay you good money to do a job and you’re not doing it,” says Magdalene. “I don’t want to hear any excuses for your laziness, either.”
I stare at the phone in disbelief and prepare to defend myself, but Magdalene suddenly hangs up the phone.
That’s it, I don’t care how hurt she is, I don’t deserve to be talked to like that. I’m going to give her more than a piece of my mind.
I hit the button to call her back, but it goes straight to voicemail. My heart thuds painfully in my chest and I feel a mix of anger and hurt wash over me.
“Let’s go, kiddo,” I say, scooping Jacob up into my arms. “We’ve been summoned back to the lioness’s den.”
I fight to keep my expression carefree as I finish packing up Jacob’s things, but on the inside my emotions are waging war. Tears sting the back of my eyes, but I blink them away, willing myself to present a strong front.
I must maintain my poker face in order to get through this.
Each step I take to the place I’ve called home for months is one more step to uncertainty. Magdalene is in a foul mood, but I won’t just stand by and take it.
I turn the corner and instantly recognize the Rolls-Royce parked in between the buildings.
Asher.
I practically sprint to the car, desperate for what has become my source of happiness over the past few weeks, hoping he’ll be able to say something to make me feel better. As if he’s been waiting for me, Asher immediately opens the door and steps out. I don’t give him the chance to say anything before I fling myself into his arms.
He rubs my back and strokes my hair quietly, allowing me the time and space to unload my feelings as if he could sense my need. A few tears fall, but these are tears of anger, frustration and relentless confusion.
“What’s wrong, baby?” he asks, after a few moments. His term of endearment makes my breath catch. I can feel our closeness, the intimacy both welcoming and overwhelming.
I lean back to see his face and he moves his thumb to wipe away the last few droplets of tears on my cheeks.
“Magdalene,” I blurt out. Her name springs forth from my lips like venom from a snake.
Asher sighs and drops his shoulders. “What happened? What did she say?”
I shake my head and sniffle a bit. “It’s really not so much what she said, but more so how she said it. Granted, she has said some pretty mean things lately, too. She’s being so nasty, and I haven’t done anything that I know to set her off.”
Asher’s jaw flexes and his expression grows cold and distant. He opens his mouth for a moment before waiting a few seconds and closing it without an explanation.
“What?” I ask. “What is it? You look like you want to say something.”
He smiles down at me, but I’ve been with him long enough to tell a real smile, and this one is obviously fake.
“I want to talk to you about something, but now isn’t the time,” he says, motioning to Jacob. He leans down and tussles Jacob’s hair, sending his long curls bouncing all over the place.
“Hey there, buddy,” says Asher. He then picks up a fallen hair from Jacob’s top with a smile.
Jacob shakes his elephant-shaped rattle around and babbles loudly in response. His excitement is so obvious, I regretfully wish I could spend time with just the two of them. Heath never seems to have a true connection with Jacob, and I naturally want that for the boy I’ve grown to love so much, but that’s not Asher’s obligation, so I force myself to let it go.
“I’ve got to go before Magdalene blows a fuse,” I say, excusing myself. “Wish me luck.”
Asher gets back to his feet and wraps his arms around me again. “Don’t worry yourself over Magdalene. Drop Jacob off and leave for a moment to meet at my place. I need to talk to you about something important. I’ll wait for you in the lobby over there.” He points to his condo building as he speaks.
I close my eyes and nod. “You’re my real-life knight in shining armor,” I giggle.
Asher smiles and shrugs his shoulders. “I don’t know about that, but I do try my best to be what you need,” he says. “Go on upstairs so you can hurry back down.”
