“Yeah, yeah. Catch you in a few days.”
I needed to know first what Mom had texted about. I slipped on a pair of slacks. I laid my cell on the dresser while I put my watch back on. It’s was now five o’clock and Imogen must’ve been getting hungry. I sent mom a text.
“Hi Mom, I was in the shower, what’s up?”
“Asher hasn’t been answering my texts. Since I heard he went to Paris with you, I figured I’d check with you on his progress.”
“Things are moving along just fine.”
“Did he do the proposal yet?”
“I heard him say he was doing it tonight.”
“Perfect.”
Mom was off and running again to one charity or another. Now for Asher’s text.
“I remembered about the heels. She was wearing them that first night and I told her she looked hot in them and should wear them the next day.”
“That’s what I was thinking happened. But now this girl, I mean, Imogen, thinks she has to wear them everywhere.”
“Lol, I’m sure you can fix that minor issue.”
I heard a faint knock at my door. “Come in,” I called out, “it’s not locked.”
“Oh, sorry, I didn’t know you weren’t dressed. I thought I heard you say come in.” Imogen turned her back to me. “I just wanted to see if your headache was feeling better.”
“Imogen, I’m dressed enough for you to not have to hide your face,” I said to her while sending one last text to Asher.
“But you don’t have a shirt on.” She whispered.
Chapter 33
IMOGEN
Holy… Wasn’t expecting that. Now what? Do I look away like I’m afraid or act like it’s nothing? I’m not ready for this…look away.
I stood at Asher’s door trying to avoid eye contact. He didn’t have a shirt on, but he seemed okay with it. Now I couldn’t remember what I even came to ask him.
“Did you need something?” I asked, throwing a shirt on, then stopped when I saw her face. “Imogen, what’s the matter?”
“Nothing really. I feel stupid for bothering you,” I paced back and forth in front of his door. “I wanted to go for a walk, but wasn’t sure if I needed to ask you, or just go, or what?”
“You never need to ask my permission to do something,” Asher answered, now blocking my pacing. “I appreciate your respect in checking with me, but from now on go out, see things, talk to people, have a good time.”
“And Gunner?” I asked.
“Gunner should go with you.” He placed his hands on my shoulders to stop my pacing. “This situation is not a jail sentence. Remember we’re helping each other.”
“Thank you. I feel like I keep saying that to you, but I mean it,” I said, looking right at him. “Do you have work to do, or would you like to join me for a walk?”
Asher stood there with his hands burning a hole in my shoulders, saying nothing. I could feel myself starting to squirm. It was no surprise I liked to go for walks. Then again, I probably got in my ten thousand steps a day just pacing.
“I do have some work to complete, but if you can wait fifteen minutes, I’d love to join you for a walk. We need a chance to talk about a few things.” He released my shoulders and a chill spread through me with the warmth of his hands gone. “Are we walking walking or just strolling?”
That I had to laugh at. He must have realized who he had just agreed to walk with. He obviously had seen my crazed pacing.
“Very smart to ask Mr. Hawthorne. I can do either,” I said, feeling the silly grin beginning on my face. “Which would you prefer?”