Her head tilts to the side and her lips purse. “Understandable, but just put his number on mute. I was so bored today without you.”
“Well, we wouldn’t want that.” I chuckle and she rolls her eyes playfully.
ASHER ENDS UP BRINGING home enough food for the three of us, including my favorite chicken parmigiana. He introduced me to this place a couple weeks ago, and I fell in love with it. Now he knows that if he wants to get me to eat when I claim I’m not hungry, just get me this. The smell alone makes my mouth water.
We sit in the living room, eating and watching The Vampire Diaries—a show that Asher pretends he can’t stand but still watches with me every time I turn it on. Having the two of them with me, I feel calmer. More relaxed. Like for the first time in a while, everything isn’t going to shit. Sure, I may end up getting arrested for arson, but that’s a problem for another day.
“Okay, but like, how does Elena even consider choosing Stefan over Damon?” Lennon voices what’s probably on the mind of every girl to ever watch this show. “Just look at him!”
“You’re preaching to the choir, honey.”
Asher looks over at me and raises an eyebrow.
“Oh, come on. You can’t possibly think I watch this show for the storyline.”
He chuckles and pinches my ankle while my feet rest in his lap. It’s so comfortable like this—so laid-back and carefree. I’d spend forever right here with no complaints.
IT’S AFTER ELEVEN WHEN Lennon says she needs to get going. She waves goodbye to Asher and I walk her over to the elevator. After a tight hug and making me promise I’ll start texting her back, she leaves Asher and I alone together. I run my fingers through my hair and go back to the couc
h, standing in front of him.
“Feeling any better?” he asks.
I nod. “Thank you, for letting her come here, and for everything else. It helped more than you know.”
A smile that threatens to take my breath away graces his face. “It was hardly a chore, Tess.”
“Yeah, well, I know that was something you were trying to avoid, so I don’t want you to think I expect it all the time now—especially since I’m going to be staying here with you. Are you sure that’s okay, by the way? I can always go stay at Lennon’s.”
He grabs my wrist and pulls me toward him, making me fall into his lap. His hand cups my cheek, and he presses his lips to mine in a soft, sweet kiss. When he pulls away, the sincerity in his eyes is almost overwhelming.
“It’s more than okay. I want you here, where I can know for sure that you’re okay.”
I kiss him again. “Thank you.”
Tapping my hip twice, he gets me off his lap. “Thank me by helping shut everything down, and get your boyfriend off my TV.”
“You’re so possessive.”
He winks at me, and I nearly die on the spot. Why does he have to be so goddamn good looking? I mean, really. Would it kill him to look a little more normal?
The two of us shut off all the lights and turn the key on the elevator so it locks—that way, even someone with the code can’t come in. When we’re finally ready for bed and I grab my phone from his dresser, I tell him goodnight and start heading for the hallway.
“Where are you going?” he asks.
I look back at him, confused. “The guest room.”
“Oh.” He sounds caught off guard for a second, but then nods. “Okay. Sweet dreams.”
Giving him the best smile I can manage, I turn around and walk toward my bedroom for the time being. It’s not exactly where I’d like to be, but I’m also not going to invite myself to share Asher’s bed with him. Maybe a few weeks ago I would have, but I don’t think now is the time to be pushy.
I get in bed and start messing around on my phone. I text Lennon back just so she knows I’m keeping my promise. I delete all the texts from my dad and put his contact on mute so at least my phone won’t make a sound every time he sends another. And I text Knox, telling him to call me tomorrow after Delaney leaves for class. Letting him know what I found out—and what I did for that matter—is the smartest choice. He’s her rock, and she’s going to need him for this one.
I’m scrolling through social media when the door opens, revealing a bare-chested Asher in only a pair of low hanging sweatpants. He walks over to the bed and doesn’t bother saying a word as he scoops me up and throws me over his shoulder.
“What are you doing?” I squeal, just barely holding onto my phone.
He carries me out of the room and back down the hallway. “I can’t sleep, and I’m blaming you for that.”