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“You do.”
“Then I’m good.”
“Did I thank you for sticking around and not listening to me when I broke up with you?”
I tilt my head and pretend to ponder the question for a couple seconds. “Nope, don’t think so.”
One side of her mouth hitches. “Thanks. I’m glad you’re here. I couldn’t have gotten through this without you.”
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.” I lean closer before whispering, “And when you’re better, I’m going to spank your ass for dumping me.”
Her eyes spark with humor. “Promise?”
“Abso-fucking-lutely.”
A smile curves her lips. “Good. I look forward to it.”
40
LOLA
Two months have passed since the surgery, and I’ve made a full recovery. Asher was right—now I have a cool, three-inch scar below my bellybutton to show off. There was pain the first week or two, and then I was able to wean myself off the meds just in time for the start of second semester.
Asher flew out the afternoon of the surgery and was back in time to pick me up from the transplant center and take me home two days later. He practically moved in with us to help take care of me. I told him that he didn’t have to do it, but he insisted. Mama didn’t seem to mind at all. He scheduled a meal delivery service and has been trying his hand at easy recipes he finds on the internet. The man has become the casserole king. We’ve had chicken divine, tuna casserole, enchilada casserole, and something with chicken, wild rice, and bacon lining the bottom of the dish.
It was delicious.
I’m not going to lie—I enjoy sitting at the table and watching him cook. What is it about a man puttering around in the kitchen that is so damn sexy?
Asher Stevens has turned out to be the whole package. It’s impossible not to fall a little more in love with him each day. At first, the intensity of my feelings scared the crap out of me. But I’ve managed to push the fear aside and just go with it. How could I not take a chance when he’s gone above and beyond to prove how much I mean to him?
For the first week, he slept on the couch in the living room and would peek in on me periodically throughout the night. After a trip to the doctor to check how my incision was healing, he moved into my room. The twin bed is a tight squeeze, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love falling asleep with my head resting on his chest and his arms banded securely around me.
My eyes catch Asher’s blue ones as he returns from the kitchen with two bottles of water before handing one over. Believe it or not, he stopped drinking and smoking pot. Even though I never said a word about it, I’m secretly glad. When I asked why he decided to quit, he told me that he wants to focus on being healthy and getting into the best shape he can for the draft and what will hopefully follow.
The man already had the physique of a god. Now, he’s even leaner and harder.
More droolworthy.
Which means I’m giving girls the evil eye everywhere we go.
Once he’s close enough, he leans in and presses a kiss against my mouth.
His lips linger over mine before nipping at my lower one and whispering, “I love you, baby.”
Just like always, my heart melts at the murmured words. Asher is so open with his affection. He’s not afraid to tell or show me exactly how he feels.
“I love you, too.” And I do. More than I thought possible. This man is turning out to be my everything. It’s not something I could have imagined months ago, given the way I felt about him. But there’s no way I’d change a single second of our story.
Tonight, there’s a small get together at the football house to celebrate the team winning the championship game and bringing home another trophy. Everyone at the university went crazy, and there was a week-long celebration.
These guys have worked so hard to make this season successful. For those who are graduating or entering the draft, their college football careers are now over. The player selection meeting takes place at the end of April. Hopes and dreams will either be made or crushed. Even though I think Asher has a good chance of getting picked up by an NFL team, nothing is written in stone until his name is called out on national TV.
This particular party is a smaller, more intimate one. It’s just for the guys who live at the house and their girlfriends. A few other close friends have also been invited.
Demi is here with Rowan. Those two are ridiculously cute together. Apparently, everyone was aware of the fact that he had a crush on her. With the exception of Demi, of course. She spent years trying to keep him at a distance, but in the end, it was impossible to do.
