chapter EIGHT #4
“Why didn’t you ever get one?”
“Too poor as a kid. Too rich growing up. I guess there’s no happy medium.” The waiter comes to our table to clear away our plates. Asher asks for the check and pays it, leaving more than enough cash on the table. In fact, I think he just left a fifty-euro tip.
“You don’t have to impress me like that.”
His head looks up while he places his wallet in his back pocket. “Like what?”
I gesture to the tip on the table. “That’s a lot of money. Don’t leave it just because I’m here. I’m not into that sort of thing.”
“What sort of thing would that be?”
“Money.”
He lets out appreciative laugh and shakes his head. “I know. You didn’t take the money.”
I look down at the cash on the table. Of course I didn’t take it. It’s right there.
“The money Devon offered you. You didn’t take it. I know,” he says, rising from his seat. He holds out a hand and I accept it, brushing off my startled expression on how Devon told him about the money he offered me when we were on the boat.
I glance up at the clock tower in the piazza. It’s eleven in the evening. Asher leads me through town. Leah was right. Italians like to eat late. Some of the shops are still open as well. We pass a few and I am reminded about the gift he gave me earlier.
“Thank you for the shoes,” I say, way too late for a proper thank-you.
He glances down at my navy blue shoes and his eyes skim slowly up my body, stopping for a moment at my bust and landing on my eyes.
“I noticed them earlier. Thank you for wearing them.”
I kick my toes up and show them off. “They’re my favorite. I was so upset when I lost my shoe the other day. I’m pretty upset at you for buying these. It was too much.”
His eyes soften as he smiles shyly. “I wanted to do something nice for you. I was a jerk yesterday.”
“I was a jerk first. That doesn’t mean I’m going to start buying you gifts.” I hit him on the shoulder playfully and am rewarded with his hand snaking around my waist again. I really like it there. “Do you always wear loafers? You were wearing them yesterday too. Do you ever wear sneakers?”
“Only to the gym.”
“What about flip-flops?”
“I’ve never worn a pair of flip-flops.”
“Never?”
He shakes his head. “My grandfather never allowed me. When I was ten I went to live with him. He had these strict rules about what he expected from me. Dress code was one of them. I was allowed to wear loafers and boat shoes. Sneakers were for working out. Even my slippers had to look like loafers.”
I don’t know what kind of man his grandfather was but Asher is clearly deprived of a staple foot fashion. Even I spent a good part of my life wearing high heels and black shoes appropriate for the symphony, but when I was offstage, those puppies were off and the flip-flops were on.
“Come with me.” I grab his hand and lead him down the street until we find a store that sells what I’m looking for. “I’m buying you a pair of flip flops.”
Asher put up a fight in the store. Not because he was opposed to buying the shoes. He was just opposed to me buying the shoes. Since he bought me six pairs on his modest—whatever he does—salary, I convinced him to let me pay.
“So what do you think?” We’re walking along the south side of the island overlooking the Marina Piccola.
He looks down at his feet, his loafers in his left hand; his right hand is holding mine. “I hate them.”
I let out a loud laugh. “What do you mean, you hate them?”
His forehead crinkles. His words are cautious like he’s going to hurt my feelings. “I really hate them. This thing in between my toes is so uncomfortable and my foot is constantly separating from the bottom of the shoe. Is that supposed to happen?”
I place my hand over my mouth to stifle another giggle and look over at him. “Yes, that’s supposed to happen.”
“Maybe Grandfather wasn’t so crazy.” He’s acting like an alien coming to earth, witnessing everything for the first time.
“You can take them off,” I say.
“No.” His body turns toward me and pulls me back in. “I’ll keep them.”
We walk side by side for an eternity. We talk some more, and I learn Asher is a really smart man.
You wouldn’t think he’s been working for someone else.
I guess his grandfather held him back in that way.
I try not to pry too much. I know if I do, he’ll pry into my life and right now I’m happy with what I am revealing about myself.
That is, until he asks me this question.
“I know you said you’re single but is there someone back home you’re dating?” He tries to keep the question light, but I can tell he has major trust issues. Between his trust issues and my control issues, we’re a recipe for disaster.
My relationship with Parker is not an off-limits conversation. That is something I’ve had no problem talking about. It’s what happened right after that sends me into a cesspool of guilt and agony.
“I was dating someone. I thought he was the one, but I was wrong.”
“How long ago was that?”
“Six months ago.” I say, watching Asher piece another portion of the puzzle together.
“You have had a crap year.”
He has no idea.
We make it back to my hotel with Asher telling me about his motorcycle. I tell him I’ve never been on one before and he offers to take me for a ride sometime. That would be nice but we both know it’s impossible, even though neither of us mentions it.
I look up at the moon, which is so large and bright, I feel like Jimmy Stewart trying to lasso it closer.
“This place is magical.” Every day since I’ve stepped off that boat, I’ve become more amazed at not just the beauty of the island but its power.
It’s as if the moon is casting a spell of enchantment over it so only the good can prevail and all terrible things are kept at bay. “I could spend eternity here.”
When I lower my gaze from the moon, Asher is looking at me with a mix of interest and desire. He takes a step closer and threads his fingers through my hair, grazing his thumbs along by cheeks and jawline. “Can I see you tomorrow?”
I lick my lips in anticipation for the kiss I know is coming. “I can’t. I have Leah. I can’t leave her. It’s our honeymoon.” I say with a smile.
“Bring her with us. I want to see you again.” Asher lowers his lips to mine. This time his kiss is soft and purposeful. Not like the frantic one we shared before.
“Yes.” I breathe when he releases us from the kiss. I don’t want him to go. If I had my own room I’d invite him in. A few hours ago I was unsure I could handle a kiss. Now I’m ready to drop my pants.
It’s him. He’s like a drug to me. A very lethal drug.
Watching him walk away down the path toward the marina, I remind myself that is exactly what will happen. In four days, Leah and I have to leave. And then my European romance will be over.
Oh, fuck it. I’ve already had a crap year. It can’t get worse, right?
I gently open the door, careful not to waken Leah. It shouldn’t surprise me; she’s sitting in the dark, waiting for me.
“You little harlot!” Her voice is extra high.
“Were you spying on me?” I turn and flip on the light switch. She is wearing her silk shorts pajamas and has Adam’s surveillance binoculars in her hand.
“They have night vision. I was just on the veranda watching you and hottie McHottness hooking up!” She leaps onto the bed and starts jumping up and down.
I’m not going to lie; it’s the exact reaction my heart had when he first kissed me.
I jump on the bed with her and start bouncing up and down.
It’s against my usual persona but fuck that sad girl.
I used to be happy and silly. Today was a good day.
No, today was a great day, and I want to enjoy it a little longer.
Leah plops on the bed Indian style and pulls me down to sit next to her.
My dress rides up but not enough that Leah would care.
Part of me wants to tell her everything.
I want to replay every touch, every smile, every word—but I can’t.
Asher is as private a person as I am. To tell her anything would violate a bond we formed tonight. Even if it was just for tonight.
“I’m glad to see you happy.”
“Thanks. It feels good,” I say, surprising myself.
“Adam is all kinds of pissed at me,” she says, her mouth cocked to the side.
I laugh at the thought of Adam being upset with Leah until the look on her face lets me know she’s serious. “Wait. Why is Adam mad at you?”
“He called and I was so excited about your date I told him the whole story. I told him about the yacht the other day and your boat tour yesterday and now your date tonight. He. Was. Pissed.”
“When you asked him to wire money you didn’t tell him the whole story?”
“No. I left out the part about us following a giant to his massive boat. Thought it was wiser for all parties. I got so excited about you going out that I thought he’d appreciate the story.
Instead he lectured me on how careless we were.
It got ugly.” Leah shakes her body, like a shiver.
“Ahh, bad karma, bad thoughts. Forget that nonsense. He’ll be fine tomorrow.
Because, you’re fine. Right?” Her brows rise.
I give her a wide smile. “Yes, very fine. And I’m seeing him again tomorrow.
Actually, we are both seeing him. He invited us somewhere, unless, of course, you don’t want to go.
” My offer is two-sided. It’s genuine because Leah means the world to me.
But deep down, I will be crushed if she says no.
I really want to see Asher again but tomorrow is Luke’s birthday and we girls should be together.
“You’re seeing him again?” Her voice heightens in surprise.
“You don’t think it’s a good idea? I can cancel—”
“No,” she says quickly. “That’s awesome. It’ll be awesome. I’m coming, too, so what could go wrong?” She hops off the bed, planning her outfit for tomorrow’s excursion, and I thank God for her love of adventure. I’m going to need her on this one.