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I smile wider, because that's what I learned to do as a high school cheerleader. Bullshit starts piling up, smile bigger. Make a mistake you'll never live down, smile wider. Forgot to pull bloomers on over your little red thong, smile like you've never been happier or more confident. "I was out training. Figured I ought to be prepared for any conditions Mother Nature throws at us on race day."
His expression shifts, and I hope I'm not imagining the doubt and dismay that flickers there. "Great idea."
Suddenly he's standing in front of me and taking up way, way too much space. I try to take a step back, but the closed door is behind me.
My hand still on the knob, I twist and step inside as the door opens. "I should probably head up and get a warm shower." I hesitate. "Unless you and your friend are here to see me?"
"We're here for cookies," the little munchkin shouts, her face absolutely adorable.
And I'm thrown for a moment by how much like Asher she looks. "I didn't realize you have a child."
Asher follows me as I back up into the house. "If I'm a single dad, would you feel bad about trying to steal my gym?"
I gasp in mock outrage. "Stealyour gym? Mr. Aldridge, I am offended."
His grin does something to my insides. I really like it and hate it at the same time. I step farther into the hallway.
"Unca Ash," the little girl shouts. "Want cookies."
Uncle. Ah. I'm still free to be as mean to the man as I want. And to steal his gym.
"Hey there, Asher." Dani steps into the hallway. "Who's your friend?"
"This is Harper. My sister's daughter."
"Well, hello, Harper," Dani says. "Did I hear you asking for cookies?"
"Cookies!" Harper wiggles in her uncle's arms and he sets her on the floor.
I make the most of his momentary distraction and sprint toward the back of the house, ignoring the protests of my sore knee. My wet socks squish against the hardwood floor and leave a trail of footprints.
Unfortunately, I hear the clomp of his over-sized tennis shoes behind me long before I reach the staircase that leads up to my bedroom. I pick up my pace, but my knee doesn't cooperate. Instead of screaming at the pain, I drop to my butt on the floor, stretch my legs out in front of me, and lean back on my hands like I'm enjoying the view.
Luckily, Asher can't see my face, because it hurts too much to smile right now.
There's no sound of his footsteps or even his breathing. I twist my head, hoping he's gone, but see him standing just a few feet behind me, perfectly still.
"What are you doing?"
"What are you doing?" he asks. "Why are you limping, Empress?"
"My muscles stiffened up after my run. That's why I stopped to stretch them." Ooh, excellent answer. I'm a genius.
He walks over and sits next to me. I want to flee, but there's no way I'm getting off this floor and up to my room without making it obvious I'm injured.
"You should probably make sure your niece is okay," I say. "Dani doesn't have much experience with babies."
"Harper is fine. What's really going on with you? Did you twist your ankle?"
I turn my head to look at him, and his face is suddenly too close to mine. He lost his rain jacket somewhere, but he still smells of petrichor and something sweet. "How much sugar are you feeding that child?"
"Don't try to distract me with reasonable child care advice. I'm the uncle. It's my job to spoil her. What's wrong with your leg?"
"Why should I tell you anything that might give you an advantage over me in the race? You think you smell blood in the water? You're wrong, buddy. I get taken down, I just come back stronger." I'm talking straight up nonsense now, but it's the best smack talk I've got.
Then he leans in and sniffs me. He. Sniffs. Me. "I'm not smelling any blood, just hot woman and sex appeal."
The laugh that bursts from me is completely out of my control. I slap a hand over my mouth and scoot away from him, but it's too late. He's smiling like he thinks he already won.
