Page 40 of If the Stars Align
“I’m not sure. Probably anything besides litigation.” I laugh. “I can’t see myself arguing in front of a judge and jury…too nerve-wracking. I’d much rather sit at a computer all day and do legal research and writing.” I take a long sip. “I’ve always loved towrite. Honestly, I think the reason I do so well in school is because I can write a killer essay on any topic you throw at me. I hope that doesn’t make me sound conceited,” I add, my cheeks heating up.
Asher turns to wrap his arms around my waist. “Hey, it’s no secret how smart you are. That’s onlyoneof the things I like about you.”
“Well, aren’t you sweet,” I say with a giddy grin before our lips meet. When he slowly pulls away, there are goosebumps on my skin.
“So, do you think you’ll definitely stay in Chicago this summer?” he asks as he turns his attention to the peppers and onions in a cast iron skillet, all cut into beautiful thin strips. I can tell by his hopeful tone that he really wants me to say yes.
“It’s official,” I tell him excitedly. “I just worked out the details with Sam and Claire. They offered me their pull-out couch. It’ll be cramped, but way more fun than living by myself downtown.”
Asher gives the veggies a final stir. “Well, you’re always welcome to hang out here. Justin is studying abroad this summer,” he says, referring to his roommate.
“I might take you up on that,” I say with a smile he doesn’t see because he’s garnishing the guacamole with radish and some sort of herb. Cilantro, maybe? I don’t know. My cooking repertoire is limited to foods that come pre-packaged with instructions.
When Asher turns around, he pauses to look at me as he takes off his apron and tosses it onto the counter. He drags a hand down his chin. “You are sobeautiful, Sunny.”
“You’re not so bad yourself,” I say, stepping into him. He leans down to kiss me. I’m on my tiptoes with my arms wrapped around his neck, and he lifts me off the floor effortlessly. I’m kissing him in midair until he sets me back down ever-so-gently.
“You hungry?” he asks.
“Very,” I say, my eyes still closed from our kiss. When I open them, he’s smiling at me, his cheeks flushed.
We sit at the small dining table in his living room and enjoy the meal and each other’s company. When I’ve taken the last bite of my dinner, he asks if I saved room for dessert.
“Always,” I say, dabbing at my lips with a napkin.
“Good,” he replies. “I remember how much you loved that tuxedo cheesecake…” he begins, his voice trailing off as he walks to the fridge. “So I drove to The Cheesecake Factory and picked up two slices.”
While he’s still in the kitchen, I get a bit misty-eyed. Asher’s so sweet. So thoughtful.
It feels incredible to be treated this way. “That’s really nice of you,” I tell him.
He walks back to the table with two plates and two forks, and when he sets everything down, I pull him in for a kiss. He sits and we start eating.
“Two slices?” I ask, covering my mouth as I savor a bite of rich chocolate. “Last time, we split one.”
“Well…” Asher hesitates. “Youdidkind of eat most of it.” He looks up at me to gauge my reaction.
I feign a look of shock and playfully swat his arm. He laughs. “No, you’re right,” I concede. “I definitely ate most of it.”
After dessert, we make our way to the living room. He asks me if I want to watch a movie and invites me to pick one from the DVD tower next to the TV. I search for one that I haven’t already seen with Dex, but it’s a struggle. I start at the top and scan each title, my finger sweeping over every DVD case as I go along. I make it all the way to the bottom before I find one.Gladiator. It was in theaters last summer, but Dex and I never got the chance to see it. He was too busy with rehearsals.
The movie’s long, but I don’t mind. I like being close to Asher. He sits with his arm around me, and I snuggle into him, resting my head on his chest. His other hand is on my knee. We shift around a bit from time to time but stay close, always touching. He draws soft circles on my shoulder with his fingertips. I lean my head into the crook of his neck. He kisses the top of my head. The movie’s almost over, but I’m not nervous. Only curious about what will happen next.
When the credits start rolling, Asher turns to face me. “I know we’ve only been going out for a month, but I like you.A lot,” he adds with a nervous laugh. “And I was thinking maybe we could make this thing official.” He clears his throat. “I guess what I’m trying to say is—I’d like to be your boyfriend, Sunny. If you’ll have me.”
It’s everything I once hoped to hear from Dex. And the way Asher’s biting his lip in anticipation of my answer makes it clear how much I mean to him. This thoughtful, attractive man wants the world to know I’m his girlfriend. Why wouldn’t I be all in?
“Yes,” I answer, putting Asher out of his misery, and hebreathes a sigh of relief. Then his lips meet mine, but he pulls away almost immediately.
“I don’t want you to feel any pressure. We can still take things as slowly as you want,” he says.
I take off his sexy glasses, and I set them on the coffee table. Then I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him. I lean back, pulling him on top of me. He’s kissing my shoulder and my neck, and then I whisper in his ear. “I don’t want to take things slowly anymore.”
It’s been 281 days since my cousin Ben got married.
Which means it’s been 281 days since I last saw Sunny.
I know this because it’s the first thought in my head when I wake up every godforsaken morning.
