Page 38 of Poinsettia Lane

As soon as she pulls it open, Asim sucks in a sharp breath, his eyes devouring her. His heated gaze travels from her dark hair pulled up and exposing one side of her neck, along the curve of her body to her hips, down her bare legs to show-stopping red shoes. His throat bobs as he swallows hard. Blinking twice, Asim quickly reattaches his eyes to hers, the stain of a blush darkening his cheeks.

Her heart flutters, then turns over with a heavy thud in her chest.

“Sorry.” His voice is rough and gravely, and a muscle ticks in his jaw. “I normally have better manners than that but wow, Everly. You look… you’re stunning.”

She preens with his compliment and smiles at his embarrassment, thinking it’s cute that for once she’s thrown him off instead of the other way around. He thrusts the flowers out in front of him, clearing his throat.

“These are for you, obviously," he says, passing them to her and then rubbing the back of his neck with his hand. She thanks him, gesturing to him to follow her inside while she puts them in water. A soft groan sounds from behind her when she turns, followed by a low grumble; she’s pretty sure he’s scolding himself to “get a grip.” Everly smirks, but doesn’t call him out on it. She’s rather pleased to have affected him so strongly.

Asim confirms he’s ready to go once the flowers are in a vase, and then apologizes for the ride.

“I would have brought the bike, but considering I told you to dress up I figured that probably wasn’t the best idea.”

“That’s okay, I don’t mind the truck. You might have to help me get in though.” Everly gives a nervous laugh as she eyes the step leading up to the truck’s front cab. Itwouldn’t normally be a problem, but between her three inch heels and the length of her dress, she’d rather play it safe than sorry.

“Of course," Asim replies, holding out his hand and opening the door for her.

Everly places her hand in his, loving how it encompasses hers completely. His fingers and palm are rough with calluses, and she wonders what they would feel like on other parts of her body. Everly gives herself a little shake as he closes the door and rounds to the drivers side, recentering herself in the present moment. Now is not the time for daydreams.

Pulling into the parking lot for the local river boat that runs river cruises for the tourists, Everly smoothes her hands along her thighs. She’s never been on it before, never really even considered it as she always assumed it was a tourist trap. Before she can ask, Asim tells her to stay put, then hops out on his side and rounds the front again, opening her door and holding out his hand to help her down. She smiles at him as she steps out, and he answers her unspoken question.

“We are taking a sunset dinner cruise. Have you been?”

“I haven’t. I didn’t even know they did that to be honest.” Everly raises her eyebrows in curiosity as she looks around, noticing a few other couples who are also making their way across the parking lot.

Asim passes over two tickets to the staff waiting on the dock, then ushers her onto the boat. “Where would you like to sit?” he asks.

“I have no idea. Where do you think would be best?” Everly is happy to take his lead on this.

“How about up top? I imagine it will have the best view for the sunset.” Asim places his hand on the small of her back, but isn’t forceful or pushy as he does so. He simply rests it there, as if he doesn’t want to lose her, or maybe he simply wants the physical connection. Everly likes it.

They’re crossing the second of three levels on the massive river boat when they run into another couple she vaguely recognizes from around town. Asim greets them warmly, exchanging smiles and handshakes, andshe thinks he even knows their names. Everly, on the other hand, does not.

She has never been comfortable in these types of social situations; Everly hates random small talk and never knows what to say outside of expected encounters. She pastes a smile on her face as the couple chatters happily at Everly and Asim, asking him about his business and in return he asks about someone named Claire. They end up inviting Everly and Asim to join their table, but thankfully Asim handles it as smoothly as ever, politely declining their offer before excusing them to head up to the next deck. Everly takes a few deep breaths to calm the spike of adrenaline brought on by the unexpected socializing, and focuses on Asim’s thumb rubbing slow circles on her lower back. It feels smooth through the fabric of her dress and is pleasantly soothing.

They find a table along the front side of the boat and order dinner and drinks as it starts to slowly meander down the river. Everly might hate small talk with others, but with Asim it isn’t a problem. She finds herself happily chatting away, answering his questions and asking some of her own. He asks more about her therapy journey, and she shares her goal of taking risks to be more of her authentic self, and of course worrying less.

“It sounds silly, but I was so convinced it was an impossible task.” Everly laughs at herself and Asim tilts his head in question. “This idea of overcoming my fear of… I don’t know, myself? I guess? It feels like I’ve worn a mask and been a people pleaser for so long that it’s scary to think about being who I really am on the inside.”

“It makes sense, though," Asim replies. “We’re all raised with certain expectations, of course they’re quite different based on culture and gender and identity and whatnot, but still. I can relate to the idea of taking off a mask. I’ve gotten so used to wearing my professional persona all the time, that letting my guard down around you has been a bit intimidating, if I’m being honest.”

“Wait, you foundmeintimidating?!” Everly’s eyes pop wide and Asim chuckles in reply.

“Only because I wanted to make a good impression.” He pauses, seeming to debate what to say next. “I admireyour courage, Everly. In facing your emotions in that way. I know from personal experience it’s often easier to ignore or avoid uncomfortable situations, but you’ve done the opposite.”

“It’s a new thing.” Everly shrugs. “I’m usually an expert avoider.”

“Is there anything I can do to help? With any of it, your self-expression, the anxiety you mentioned before?”

Everly’s heart threatens to explode and she takes a slow breath to keep herself grounded in the moment.

“Asim…” She shakes her head. “You’ve done so much for me already, I don’t think you even realize. Most people in my past would make fun or judge me when I do something weird or awkward or embarrassing, but you haven’t been like that. And just… Like how you take control in uncomfortable situations and make it seem so smooth and effortless. I don’t get it, I don’t know how you do it, but it’s made things so much better. It’s made being around you so easy.”

Everly averts her eyes, looking down at her napkin instead of him. That was a lot. It feels like she just flayed her heart open and laid it in front of him.

“Good. That’s what I want," Asim says, reaching across the table and opening his palm for her hand. Everly looks at it for a moment before settling hers there, relishing the warmth he brings to her cool fingers.

Asim, it turns out, is familiar with anxiety. His brother struggles with it as well, and as their parents have never been very open about mental health, his brother turned to him as someone to talk to about it. There’s a warm, floaty feeling in her chest as he talks about learning from his brother, one that expands into a fierce sense of pride. She’s proud of herself for opening up again and she’s proud of Asim for not only being supportive of his brother, but going further by making an effort to learn more about what his brother dealt with and how to help.

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