Chapter Twenty-Eight
I’m nervous as hell, but I want her. I know now I’ll never stop loving her.-Asher
Asher
Lyla looks beautiful tonight. I try to listen to the conversation swirling around me, but I can’t. Not when she looks like that and not when I have so much on my mind.
She looks like she did the night I first realized how I felt about her. I watch as she throws her head back and laughs at something another nursing student is saying. Her laughter rings out to me, even across the crowded ballroom.
She looks happy. She glows. What if I’m wrong? What if she no longer wants me or loves me? What if I’m making a huge mistake and keeping her from trying to fulfill a dream of hers?
Dr. Blanchard claps me on the back, too hard as always. For once, I’m prepared and turn to him with a nervous grin. “Hey, Bruce. How’s it going tonight?”
“Good, good. See my wife over there?” he points over to his right, “She looks just as beautiful as the day I met her.” He winks at his wife, and she smiles and waves back at us.
“She looks great tonight. You both look sharp. This is a nice shindig.” And it is. Once a year, the hospital throws this gala to raise money for the hospital. We’re government funded, but we can use all the private donors we can get. The bigwigs around town show up and hopefully show us some money through donations or bidding on auction gifts donated to us. I dread this event for weeks leading up to it. I tug at my bowtie. I hate getting dressed up in this suit.
I glance over at Lyla again. She’s twirling on the dance floor now with one of her friends. I’ll dress like this every day if it means she’ll be mine.
“Figure out what you’re going to do regarding our young Lyla?” Bruce asks, echoing what I’m already thinking.
“I think so,” I murmur. “I’m not sure at all if it’ll work, but I have to try.” I dig my hands into my pockets and rock back on my heels.
“It’s always worth a try, my man.” Bruce winks at me. “Especially if you love her. Everything becomes worth it then.”
I nod. “I do, Bruce. I love her with all I have. I can’t believe it took me so long to realize it. And I was such an idiot about it.”
Bruce laughs heartily. “The best thing is, Asher, they will usually forgive us for being idiots. The right woman is great that way.”