Chapter 44
Asher
As our conversation rolls from one topic into the next, I lean into how simple and relaxing it is to be with Claire.
She convinces me to practice both French braiding and Dutch braiding her hair while she talks.
Apparently they’re two different styles.
I had no idea. Thanks to her tutorial, I’m confident my mornings with Bea will be a lot smoother.
I’m lost in concentration when she says, “I got a job.”
My body locks up, my hands frozen in her hair.
The silky strands slip through my fingers as she turns to face me.
Chest constricting with dread and anticipation, I focus on untangling the braids, pretending like it’s the most interesting thing I’ve ever seen.
This, I was not expecting. I was hoping I could convince her to come back to work for the camp.
I just haven’t found the right time to bring it up.
While Spring Oaks and Manhattan aren’t considered long distance, they might as well be.
The commute is doable, but it would get old fast. I’m greedy for this woman.
I need to kiss her lips first thing in the morning, and I want her voice to be the last sound I hear before I fall asleep every night.
“You got a job,” I repeat, even keel, desperately drawing in my disappointment.
“Yeah. I got a job. It’s a really great opportunity, actually. Private family practice. Mostly female doctors. I’ll be working primarily with infants and new mothers.” Her proud smile could light up the city right now.
“That’s great, baby.” I rub her upper thigh. “That’s what you’ve always wanted, isn’t it?” As crestfallen as I am, I’m so proud of her for securing what sounds like her dream job.
Truly.
Mostly.
“I’d have to move, though.”
“Move?” Fuck. If it’s an even farther commute, I’ll be devastated. I’ll still be the best goddamn boyfriend she’s ever had, but this will complicate things.
“Mm-hmm.” She bites her lip, her eyes flitting to mine. “It’s in this really cute small town. And I already know a few people there, which is a huge perk.”
“That’s… nice,” I say, baffled by her smirk. Why isn’t she softening the blow more?
She really perks up now, her whole body expanding with excitement. “Yup. I can’t wait. It’s minutes from an exquisite lake. But the best part is that the commute is only ten minutes.”
“From where you’ll live?”
“From you,” she says, her eyes shining beneath her long lashes.
A gust of air rushes out of me. “What?”
She lays a hand on my forearm and squeezes. “The new job is in Spring Oaks.”
I’m speechless for a moment, but then I’m shouting, “What?”
She grins from ear to ear.
“Don’t ever fucking do that to me again.” I groan. But in the next breath, I’m laughing and hugging her tight, tremendously relieved. “That was cruel, Dr. Connelly. I think you may need to be spanked for that later.”
She giggles. “Yes, please.”
“So when do you start?”
“As soon as possible. I need to contact a realtor. Do you have any contacts?”
“A realtor?”
She cocks her head to the side. “Yes. A realtor. You know, the professional who helps people buy or lease property.”
“Smart-ass.” I pinch her side. “I meant, what do you need a realtor for? You’ll move in with us.”
Her eyes widen.
“Oh, don’t look so surprised. We’ve been living together the whole summer. We already know we get along under the same roof. Unless of course…” I trail off, suddenly nervous that I’m moving too fast.
The guys got in my head. They said we’ve basically been building a life together but that I hadn’t stopped long enough to realize it.
“What have you done with Asher Greer?” she teases. Then she bites on her thumb and assesses me. Or at least I think that’s what she’s doing.
“Is that what you want?” she finally asks.
I envelop her hands in mine. “More than anything, baby.”
“Okay. Let’s do it.”
“Okay?” I breathe, pure excitement coursing through me.
“On one condition.” She holds up a finger. “You bring me coffee in bed every morning.”
“That’s it?”
“That’s it.”
“You drive a hard bargain.” I rub my chin, feigning contemplation. “But you’ve got yourself a deal, Doc.”
She holds out her hand, but rather than shake it, I clasp it and draw her into my lap, peppering her face with kisses until she’s out of breath from laughter.
“When do you have to get back to Bea?”
With my arm wrapped around her, I close my eyes, letting my body relax. “Not until tomorrow.”
“Can we pick her up now?” she asks, tilting her head up.
“What’s the rush? Don’t you want a little more kid-free time?”
She finagles herself out of my embrace so she’s facing me.
“I love you, and being with you is amazing, and doing what we just did, twice, is amazing, but I miss her. I got to see her for all of five seconds at Millie’s.
I hated leaving her so quickly. I told her I’d come back to see her, and I really don’t want to break that promise. ”
I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear and linger to caress her cheek. “I love how good you are to her.”
“Do you think she’ll feel comfortable staying here tonight? I have a spare room, but I can order room service, and we can throw a slumber party in the living room if she doesn’t want to sleep alone.”
“Sounds perfect.” I kiss her on the lips. “Now that you’re going to be in her life full time, we’ll need to establish some boundaries, though. You can’t be the fun one all the time.”
“I know, I know.” She huffs. “You’re right.” Her expression brightens, and she giggles, hopping up and slapping me on the knee. “C’mon. Let’s go.”
I drag her back down. “Not so fast. I’m not done with you yet.”
“Oh my god. You’re insatiable.”
“What can I say? I know what I want.” I kiss her collarbone. “And I want you.” With a hand threaded beneath her shirt, I cup her bare breast. “And this body.” I flash my dimples, knowing she can’t resist them. “One more round, please? Then I promise we’ll go get our girl.”
Millie and Ezra volunteer to bring Bea over to Claire’s apartment.
While we’re waiting for them to arrive, my brain goes into overdrive, and I find myself overthinking everything.
There are so many details to discuss, and suddenly, a sense of urgency has washed over me.
Topics like: If we get married, would Claire adopt Bea?
What about more kids? We’ve briefly spoken about it before, but will that change now that we’re official?
With my eyes closed, I take a calming breath and remind myself that we don’t have to figure it all out in one day.
When Bea storms through the door, she nearly tackles Claire to the floor. She throws me a “Hi, Dad”—Dad? Since when am I Dad?—then takes off her shoes and makes herself at home.
I welcome Ezra with a handshake and a slap on the back, noticing his rainbow-colored nails. “Nice digits, dude.”
“Oh, fuck off,” he says, but he breaks into a prideful grin. Like he’s been inducted into a special club.
Millie playfully punches me by way of greeting. “About damn time, asshole.”
Laughing, I haul her into a hug. “Yeah, yeah.”
Claire pulled out a box of her old toys from a closet earlier, and Bea is completely enthralled and occupied in the other room with them now, but my sister whispers anyway. “You good?”
I dip my chin. “I asked her to move in with me.”
“Ash! That’s amazing,” she says, though her expression falls. “Wait. Why don’t you look excited?”
“No, no. I am. It’s just—” I swipe a hand down my face. “Do you think I should have discussed it with Bea first? This is her life, too, and I’m worried I jumped the gun. What if she isn’t ready?”
“That girl?” She hikes a finger over her shoulder.
I peer into the living space, finding my daughter sitting on Claire’s lap with the brightest smile on her face. Ezra may have major competition for his title of Bea’s Favorite Person.
“If you’re really that concerned, have a chat with her.”
“You’re right.” I tug my sister in for a hug.
“What?”
“You’re ri—Oh, fuck off.” I wrap my arm around her neck and mess up her hair.
By the time Ezra and Millie leave, my daughter has left her fingerprints on every surface, exploring every inch of “Claire’s hotel.”
But it doesn’t seem like my girlfriend minds.
“I think she likes it here,” she says with a giant smile.
“It would appear so,” I reply, pouring Sauvignon Blanc into two glasses.
Claire retrieves a bottle of white grape juice from the refrigerator and fills a cup halfway for Bea.
I pop a piece of cheese into my mouth, surveying the charcuterie board she put together while Bea took a bubble bath in the giant soaking tub.
She dumped in half a container of bubble bath and pretended to be a mermaid.
I was worried I was never going to get her out of there.
Bea’s pajamas didn’t make the trip with her from my sister’s apartment, so Claire gives Bea one of her sleep shirts. It hits her just above the knees, and she looks adorable in it.
We drag the guest mattress into the living room, and Bea makes herself a little nest with pillows and blankets.
Claire and I lounge on the sectional. Remote in hand, I point it at the TV, ready to cue up a movie, but another idea hits me, so I set the remote down and crawl onto the mattress beside Bea.
She’s rearranging the pillows and blankets for the third time, but she stops when I boop her on the nose. “Hey, Dolly. I’ve got a question for you,” I say. “What do you think about Claire coming home with us?”
She looks behind her to where Claire wears a timid grin, then returns her attention back to me. “You mean like a sleepover?”
“Sure,” I laugh. “I guess you could say that. But for longer. What would you think if she slept over every night from now on? Like she did this summer.”
“Does this mean Claire is finally your girlfriend?”
I dart a look at Claire, and her grin turns into a proud smile. She winks and nods her approval.
“Yes. Claire’s finally my girlfriend.” I tickle under her arm. “Is that okay with you?”
“Yes!” she shouts, throwing one of Claire’s stuffed animals into the air and catching it.
“Do you have any questions?” I ask, wanting to be sure she understands the implications as well as a five-year-old can.
“Can we still play beauty salon?”
“Absolutely,” Claire says. “You can even wash my hair next time if you want.”
She bounces up and down on her knees, screeching. Apparently she likes the idea.
“Any other questions?” I ask.
She taps a finger against her chin like she’s deep in contemplation. “Can we get a pet bunny too?”
Claire snorts, slapping a hand over her face.
“Um,” I hedge, caught off guard. “We’ll need to think about that one.”
She frowns. “What about a milkshake?”
“Yes…?” Milkshakes are a hell of a lot easier than bunnies.
“Okay.”
With that, she snuggles under the covers and sings, “This is the best day ever.”
After pressing a kiss to her forehead, I rejoin Claire on the couch.
She cozies up into my side and I kiss her on the forehead too.
With my heart overflowing like a lake into the ocean, I bring my mouth to the ear of the woman I love and whisper, “What do you say, baby? Wanna sleep over for the rest of your life?”