Page 33 of Poinsettia Lane

Everly has to mentally shake herself to catch up with him when he turns the tables on her like this. She thought he was going to kiss her again, and she would have welcomed it.

“Yeah, we did.” She steps to his side and surveys their work. “Still a lot to do though.” Their to-plant pile is smaller, but they haven’t finished the top terrace yet, and haven’t even started planting the bottom one. Still, she’sproud of the work they’ve accomplished so far.

“It’s looking really nice. I think you’ll be pleased when it’s done," Asim says.

“Thank you again for your help.” Everly smiles at him, feeling strangely shy in this moment. It’s been a wild week, and she hasn’t given herself much down time. Her nerves are starting to fray, and she’s worried she will do or say something foolish again.

Although she would like him to stay, Everly recognizes that she needs some time on her own. A bubble bath is calling her name, and a long soak with a Hot Toddy sounds just about perfect for her aching muscles right now.

They agree to continue the next day, having gotten a good amount done so far. Everly walks around the side of the house with him to his truck, and although it’s quiet between them, she notices again that it doesn’t feel uncomfortable. It’s a normal quiet, a calm silence, an understanding that it’s okay to just be, and she enjoys it immensely.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

EVERLY IS DESPERATE for Asim to kiss her again, even more so after their brief text conversation the night before. She messaged him last night, partly as an excuse to suggest he bring Moose with him today, but also to thank him for his kindness when she does something stupid. He had replied in typical Asim fashion.

Asim: Everly, you aren’t stupid. Please don’t think that. We all embarrass ourselves sometimes, but know that I don’t think anything you’ve done is stupid or embarrassing. Quite the opposite, actually. I’ve immensely enjoyed spending time with you and am happy to help with your project.

Everly keeps reading that one line, “quite the opposite, actually” over and over again. Her brain circles around what it could mean. What is the opposite of stupid and embarrassing? Smart and put together? Everly can certainly acknowledge that she’s intelligent, and typically is very put together, but that hasn’t been the norm around him. She revolves around the thought that maybe he meant she’s attractive; he did make a comment about her being cute once, and there’s definitely chemistry between them so the idea doesn’t seem outlandish. She is generally considered to be pretty by societal standards, but that doesn’t mean her looks are to everyone’s taste.

She continues to ponder his meaning as she eats alight breakfast of toast with melted goat cheese and honey, and mentally prepares for his arrival, doing her best not to let any intrusive or anxious thoughts twist what she knows to be true.

To her delight, Moose jumps out of the truck as soon as the door is open wide enough for him to squeeze through, and his nose dips to the ground as he zig-zags his way across the driveway, taking in all the scents of a new place. Everly internally denies the undignified squeal that pops out of her mouth, and rushes in her socked feet out to the porch. As soon as he hears the front door open, Moose’s head swings in her direction, tail already wagging.

“Hi, sweet boy!” she says, not remotely ashamed of the baby voice she uses with him, because he is the best, most cutest, furry baby. Moose immediately trots over and noses into her, accepting her pets and praise while Asim ambles up behind him.

“And now I know the real reason you’re interested in me," he says, giving Moose a pointed look. The words are rueful, but the tilted half-grin on his face tells her he isn’t the slightest bit serious.

“Can you blame me?” she asks, grinning back at him from her crouched position next to Moose. “He’s so cute. Aren’t you? Yes, you’re the cutest. I should get some treats for you, I think. Yes I should.” The baby voice is out in full force and Asim shakes his head.

“Don’t judge me.” She playfully throws the words at him as she stands back up. “What does he need? Water, anything else?”

“Nah, he’s good. He can just chill in the back with us, though I’ll tie him to a long line so he doesn’t get distracted and take off.”

Everly nods and Asim clips an extra long leash to Moose’s collar, leading him around the outside of the house while Everly goes back inside for her shoes. They meet on the patio out back, and she shares the ideas she came up with that morning, thankful Asim doesn’t appear offended at her bringing her opinions to the table, even though it’s his area of expertise. They agree on a task list for the day, then get to work outside with Moose keeping them company from a shady spot on thelawn.

He spends the morning roaming around, snuffling through the grass and occasionally rolling in it, his legs thrashing wildly through the air and causing Everly to giggle at his antics, which subsequently catches Asim’s attention and brings out that boyish grin she likes. At some point, Moose finds a stick to gnaw on, and she sighs at how adorable it is that his tail wags the whole time he’s chewing on it and spitting out the little pieces that break up under his teeth.

When they break for lunch, Everly refills Moose’s water bowl while Asim secures his leash to a new area of the yard for him to explore. They wash their hands and refill their drinks in the kitchen together before grabbing the deli sandwiches Asim brought and settling back out on the patio to eat.

“You didn’t have to bring lunch, you know," she says. “I’m happy to feed both of us, since you’re already doing me such a huge favor.”

“I know,” he replies, “but I’m also happy to feed both of us.”

She rolls her eyes, knowing it won’t do any good to argue and not really wanting to anyway. They chat as they finish their meals, mostly about Moose, and Everly soaks in Asim’s rich tone and the way he adds extra vowels when he talks, the r’s he rolls with his tongue and how his lips form the words as he speaks. Those lips… she wonders if she should make a move this time instead of waiting for him to do so.

Asim stands when they’re done, strolling over to Moose to give him some love. She relishes the opportunity to get to know Asim better, and it’s easy to tell Moose holds a special place in his heart.

She’s happy Asim brought Moose today so she can see this side of him. The side that is playful and sweet, as he checks in on Moose periodically and makes sure he isn’t tangled in his leash or out of water. Tossing a stick for him and playing a quick game of tug of war. Even the part that doesn’t hesitate to stick his fingers under Moose’s lip flap and pull out a goopy wad of dead grass that was stuck to his gum. It’s gross and makes her nose scrunch, but it also makes her heart flutter—especiallysince Moose so easily lets it happen, his tail thumping the grass the whole time while his tongue lolls out the other side of his mouth. There’s a sense of trust and companionship between them that Everly longs to be a part of.

A loud crinkling startles her and she shakes herself out of her daze. Asim tosses the crumpled up paper from his sandwich onto the table and leans back in his chair, legs stretched wide and his head tipped back into the sun. Her eyes trace the length of him as she sips her iced tea, gaze darting to the side when his head starts to tip back down.

His phone buzzes across the table between them and Everly sees the name “Farah” with a picture of a beautiful dark-haired woman light up the screen. Asim immediately smiles and swipes to answer, holding it out in front of him for a video call. Everly isn’t sure what to make of it, but her questions are answered before she can even think them.

“My beautiful sister!” Asim beams into the camera and Everly’s shoulders slump with relief. “To what do I owe this unexpected video chat?”

Everly hears a scoffing laugh from his sister and she hides her own smile, but then the woman questions where he is and before she knows it, the camera is panning in her direction. She flares her eyes and shakes her head no, but there’s no avoiding it. Asim pulls her into the conversation with him.

“Farah, I’d like you to meet Everly. Everly, my sister Farah.”

---