Page 66 of Poinsettia Lane

“Yep.” Her lips pop and she nods decisively, then slips past him into the living area.

“Oh, I picked up a couple things for Moose, I hope that’s okay.” She has a memory foam dog bed laid out in each room for him. She ordered them from a pet store near Phoenix and paid extra for them to deliver right away. He’s already found the one in the living area and is sprawled out on it, as comfortable as he can be considering his injuries.

Everly bends down, crooning and petting his silky ears when Asim walks over, shaking his head.

“You know I can’t say no to either of you.”

Standing after one final pat on Moose’s uninjured shoulder, she gives Asim a quick tour, not pointing out any of the extra touches she added just for him, but hoping he likes them anyways. The cozy plaid throw blanket and soft pillows on the couch, the scented diffuser in the bedroom, the herringbone rug in the kitchen. She wants this to be a comfortable place for him to stay the next few weeks, and these things make it feel more like a home to her.

“Should we eat?” she asks, and Asim nods his agreement, eyes still taking in the space around him as he pulls a tray out of the fridge.

“Looks like margat bamia, have you ever had it?”

Everly shakes her head. “I’m down to try anything though.”

He sets the oven to reheat the food, and before she knows it, the small space is filled with the scents of aromatic spices.

“What is it?” Everly asks, gesturing to the oven.

“It roughly translates to okra stew.” Asim hums in thought before continuing. “Generally made with lamb, okra of course, and a tomato garlic base, served over rice,like a curry, if you’ve had that.”

She nods and her mouth starts to water. “It sounds delicious.”

Only a few minutes later, she confirms that it tastes just as good as it smells. She lets the flavors roll around her tongue, savoring Asim’s sparkling gaze as he watches her enjoy his native foods. Asim lets out an appreciative moan of his own when he scoops a massive bite into his mouth and she nearly bites her tongue when she hears it.

Everly asks a few more questions about the situation with the garden center, how long until he has answers from the insurance, what rebuilding will look like. Asim has some answers but not all, and she determines to research any missing information or tips she can find to help him with these aspects too, if he accepts it. He has enough on his plate right now, so she will do anything within her power to help.

As dinner is winding down, Asim leans back in his seat and looks out the window. Although he appears to be going for a casual pose, Everly notices the exhausted tension lining his body again. Maybe she shouldn’t have asked so many questions. He probably doesn’t appreciate her bringing his worries up when he finally has a moment to relax.

Asim sighs, interrupting her spiraling thoughts, then turns to her, a somber look on his face. Everly’s heart nearly cracks in two when she thinks about the devastation he’s experienced the last couple days.

She stands and clears their dishes, taking them to the kitchen and rinsing them in the sink.

“I’m going to let you rest,” she says. “I have a few things to finish up in the office, then I’m going to head home.”

Asim looks like he wants to protest, but he stops himself. He slides his arms around her and settles his cheek on her head.

“Thank you for saving me,” he whispers.

Everly blinks back tears, reigning in her emotions before pulling away from the comfort of his arms.

“See you tomorrow?” she says.

Asim nods, a soft, tired smile gracing his lips.

“See you tomorrow, Ever.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

EVERLY FORCES HERSELF to walk calmly up the flight of stairs to her office, managing to make it inside and closing the door behind her before her pent up emotions from the last few days boil over. Her back falls against the closed door and she slides to the floor, her hands tight across her mouth, holding in the sobs. The last thing she needs is any of her staff to hear her crying.

Her brain flashes images at her: Moose barely able to walk and covered in burns, Asim running into a burning building, the charred remains of Magnolia Nursery. She’s been holding it all back, not wanting to put more on Asim when he’s already been through so much, but her anxiety takes hold and combined with her grief for Asim and Moose, it’s too much. A river of tears flows down her cheeks, and Everly can’t hold in her sorrow for their loss, her fear for their safety, the terrifying ‘what-if’ scenarios that plague her.

She fumbles with her phone, sends it skidding across the floor. Shuffling over to pick it up with trembling hands, Everly connects it to the bluetooth she has installed throughout the office suite and turns on a random playlist to cover the sounds of her crying. Tchaikovsky pours from the speakers.

Then a harsh sob tears from her throat.

She cries for Asim’s loss; his hurt and his heartbreak and his sadness. She cries for Moose and his injuries and pain. She cries because she told Asim she loves him, and he didn’t say it back, and she’s afraid of what that means. Her anxiety tells her that he’s going to end things. Thathe doesn’t love her, she’s a liability, and he won’t have time for her anymore. Fat tears slide down her cheeks and wet the top of her shirt. Everly holds her arms around herself and rocks against the door, not bothering to move to the couch or her office chair. The physically uncomfortable position feels better to focus on than her emotional pain anyways.

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