He chuckled. “My little
fighter.”
“What we had earlier was... a moment.”
“A moment. I can live with that. Let’s just not make a habit of it.” He snuggled me tighter.
Sometimes, when we were like this, it was hard to believe this was my life. The girl from Fallowfield Heights living in a prestigious apartment building in the city with her rich football-playing boyfriend.
Asher was everything I never wanted... and everything I never knew I needed.
“Penny for your thoughts?” He ran his nose along my shoulder.
“Just thinking how I ended up here.”
“You need me to remind you? Because I can. I can spend the entire night reminding you of exactly why we’re perfect for each other.”
A shiver rolled through me at the intention in his words.
“Do you think it will always be like this?”
“I think life will have its ups and downs,” he said, “but we’ll get through whatever storms blow our way.”
Glancing back, I smiled. “You always sound so sure of everything.”
“Because I am. I love you, Mya. I love our life together. And I’m excited about what the future brings.”
“Even if I want to stay in the city?” I wanted to work in the kinds of neighborhoods where I’d grown up. I wanted to make a difference to kids like me. I was one of the lucky ones, I got out. But so many kids thought their destinies were already decided for them. I wanted to show them there was always another way.
“I already told you, if that’s what you want, that’s what we’ll do.”
Rolling over, I stared up at Asher. He was so handsome, his features older and wiser, a young man on the cusp of great things. Turned out, Asher was whip smart like his father. He’d never wanted his father’s life, but since starting his business degree two years ago, Asher had come to love the very thing he’d once resented.
“But what about your dad’s business?”
“We’ll figure it out. He’s been wanting to expand. This could be the perfect opportunity. We have time.” He kissed the end of my nose.
But two years was nothing. Once we threw ourselves into classes and the football season, junior year would pass us by in the blink of an eye, and we’d be one step closer to making the big decisions.
“Hey, Mya,” Bella beckoned me over. “How are you... after, you know...”
“I’m good, thanks.”
She nodded. “Have you seen Faith yet?”
“No, but honestly, it’s not a big deal. She’s entitled to her opinions, so long as she doesn’t keep trying to—”
Bella widened her eyes and I turned just in time to greet Faith. “Hey,” she said around a sheepish smile. “Can we talk for a second?”
“I’ll just...” Bella left us to it.
“I’m sorry about last night. I had no right to—”
“No, you didn’t,” I said flatly. “Mine and Asher’s relationship is just that, Faith, ours. I won’t justify my decisions to you, and I don’t expect you to judge me for my actions, the way I won’t judge you for yours.”
“You’re right, you’re totally right.” She ran a hand through her silky red hair. “I’m just trying to be more in control of my life and sometimes it spills out. It won’t happen again, I promise.”
“Good.”