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I waited until he looked up at me, his dark eyes swirling with something I couldn’t quite place. “Thank you.”
He smiled, the kind of smile he only ever gave me. The same smile that had butterflies swarming in my stomach. “You never have to thank me, sweetheart.”
“I know, but…” I shuffled on the spot and gripped my hands in front of me. “I don’t know what I would have done without you.” I swallowed, trying to keep my emotions at bay, but it was getting harder to put a front on with Asher because he saw right through it.
His eyes darkened as he stood, his muscles tensing. “You’re stronger than you think you are, Elodie.” He pushed his hand through his hair, and I frowned. He only ever did that when he was stressed out. “You can do anything you put your mind to. Remember that.”
I nodded, not sure if I believed the words he said, but there was something different about the way he said them. Something I couldn’t put my finger on. “I’m not sure I can,” I whispered, confessing my fears to him. “But thank you.” I didn’t move from my spot for several seconds. I stood there, staring at him, wondering what was bothering him. Asher may have been able to see through the cracks in my facade, but I could also see through his. “I’m gonna go get in the shower,” I said slowly, hesitating, hoping he’d tell me what was on his mind, but the relief flashing in his eyes had me even more on edge.
Was he hiding something? Or was I imagining things? I blew out a breath. I was probably thinking something was there when it wasn’t. My body was tired, but my brain was exhausted, so I turned around and headed up the stairs, hearing his voice order food a couple of minutes later.
Today was a fresh start. A new beginning. Yet I couldn’t quiet the small voice in the back of my head telling me I hadn’t imagined the way Asher had reacted.
ASHER
I stood in the doorway of my bedroom, watching Elodie’s chest move up and down with each of her breaths. Her eyes were closed, her face so peaceful. I’d never get tired of seeing her like that—like she didn’t have a care in the world. But I knew as soon as she woke up, all the bad things would come rushing back, and the stress on her face would be plain as day.
We’d been home a couple of days, and although I wished I could stay here with her all the time, I had to get back to the shop. It had been closed for nearly six weeks now, which meant I wasn’t getting paid, and neither were Lara and Jez. We’d come home to get back to normal, and now we had to actually do it.
But I was scared. Scared she’d be lonely. Scared she wouldn’t be okay on her own. I took a breath. Maybe I could leave it another couple of days? Maybe I could—
“You just gonna stand there all day staring at me or actually go to the shop?”
My heart raced in my chest, and I darted my gaze back to her face. I hadn’t realized she was awake, but I should have known better. She was hyperaware of everything around her, even during sleep. “Sorry.” I cleared my throat and stepped inside. “I was just thinking I could leave going back to the shop for another few days and—”
“Nope.” She shook her head and sat up in the middle of the bed. “You need to go back, Asher.” Her shoulders tensed, her body telling a different story. “I’ll be fine here.” She shrugged, acting like it was no big deal, and rubbed her eyes. “Your mom said she’s gonna come over anyway.”
“She is?” It was the first I’d heard of it.
“Yeah.” Elodie pushed the comforter aside and stood. “She went to my school yesterday, so she’s bringing over more work for me today.” She paused, her gaze flitting away from mine for a second, then coming back. “They said I don’t have to start back until after Christmas. But I don’t want to fall behind.”
“Right.” I hesitated, moving forward. “But I could stay until she gets here—”
“Go.” She smiled and closed the distance between us. “I’ll be fine. I promise.”
My stomach swirled with nerves. The last time I’d left her alone—
No, I couldn’t think about it. I couldn’t keep living in the past. She wasn’t scared to be here without me, so I shouldn’t have been either, right?
“Okay, but call me if you need anything.” I placed my palm on the side of her face, relishing in her soft skin. “And I mean anything, Elodie.”
“I will.” She lifted up on her tiptoes, and I bent at the knees to meet her halfway. Our lips touched, fire igniting between us, but it was over all too soon. It was a see-you-later kiss. The kind of kiss I’d never thought I’d have but relished in.
“I’ll call you,” I told her, stepping away from her but not turning my body. I wanted to take in the sight of her, standing in the middle of my bedroom with one of my T-shirts on and her hair a mess. She looked every bit as beautiful as she did when her hair was brushed, and she was in her own clothes.
“Have a good day,” she whispered, her chest heaving.
“You too.” I was prolonging it, not wanting to leave, but at this stage, I wasn’t sure whether it was because I didn’t want to leave her here alone until my mom turned up, or if it was because I didn’t want to be away from her. Maybe it was both. “I’ll see you later.”
I didn’t wait another second as I spun around, walked down the stairs, then left the house. I made sure to lock the front door behind me, and I stared up at my bedroom window as I pulled my car door open. The blinds parted a little, and I saw her face. I lifted my hand in a wave, waited for her to wave back, then pushed inside my car.
My mind was on overdrive as I backed out of the driveway and drove to the shop. I’d told Jez, Lara, and Mav to meet me there, so I really didn’t have a choice but to go in today. But as I didn’t have any clients booked in, maybe I could finish early. Fuck. I was already regretting leaving her. Anything could happen while I was gone, just like it had last time.
I pulled up in front of the shop, seeing movement inside, and debated turning around. It was too soon. I’d tried to run before I could walk and—
My cell buzzed in my pocket, and I yanked it out, seeing a message from my mom.
Mom: I’m at your house with Elodie. Stop worrying.
