Page 42 of All the Days After
Fury at Yvette. Fear that Sophie was going tohave to live with this for the rest of her life. Regretful thatSophie had suffered this woman for so long.
He could feel Sophie’s damp nod of agreementagainst his chest. “Should I just wire half my damn trust fund toher and tell her that’s it? I know it won’t stop her, but it shouldbuy me a few years of her pestering, anyway.”
Pulling away only slightly to see her face,but hesitant to let her go, Asher looked down at her. He wiped awaythe stray tear she hadn’t been able to withhold despite herefforts. “Why don’t you change your phone number tomorrow, beforeyou start work and start establishing yourself in Foothills. Changeyour email. You’ll be moving soon. Make her at least work to findyou.”
“She’ll find me.”
Expression stern, Asher was on a mission tomake this harassment stop. Not exactly within his repertoire ofskills, unless she wanted Yvette watched, abducted, orassassinated. If he officially got the police job, he’d bewell-equipped to help. He’d submitted everything the moment he’dgotten home, now it just depended on how fast Jonah worked. If shespread the lies she was threatening, Sophie should have a damn goodcase. Maybe Lincoln could help? “If she does, you call me.”
“Thanks for coming to my rescue.”
“Anytime. Always.” A crushing ache in hischest, Asher wished he could do more for her.
They stood there for minutes, hours, whoknew. He couldn’t seem to let go, and neither could she. Since agetwelve she’d lived with that monster of a woman. How did she turnout so normal? His dad was downright patient and supportive bycomparison.
“I’m okay now.” Sophie pulled back andmanaged a soft smile. “I’m going to get changed.”
Asher didn’t want to let go, but knew he hadto. She knew he was here if she needed him. Needed anything. Hemanaged a nod and watched her walk into the house.
Giving her a few minutes, he tried to calmwhatever the hell was going on inside his head. Sophie was nothinghe’d ever expected. Like no one he’d met before. She was afascinating mix of enduring character and determination to make herway in the world. An open book he still didn’t know enoughabout.
He trotted over to the garage and shut thedoor, giving up on his truck for the night. It had made a fewdecent drives now, but it wasn’t long for this world. Despite theknowledge that it was time to invest in a replacement, he didn’twant to give it up. His grandfather had driven that truck since hebought it off the showroom floor, and it had always been a safehaven for Asher.
Feeling more than a little at loose ends, butdamn tired and ready to crash, Asher headed into the house. Afterthe day he’d had, he should have expected the tirade as soon as hewalked in the door. Couldn’t catch a break.
Pippa stood staring, her accusing scowlboring a searing hole into his soul. “Why is Sophie crying, and whyare you wet with a lovely boob-height bikini imprint?”
Done with her attitude, done apologizing forancient mistakes, he blew up. “Because lovely Aunt Yvette juststopped by demanding money from Sophie. Threatened her while shewas at it. I’m sorry for being there for your friend. And mine, bythe way.”
His angry bridezilla sister immediatelysoftened. “Oh no. I wish I’d been out there. I assumed it was UPSor something. Did you give her a piece of your mind for me?”
Eyebrows raised, jaw clenched, he nodded.“Hell yeah. What a witch.”
Simultaneously looking up the stairs, hisheart broke for Sophie, and he saw Pippa hurting for her friend aswell.
He stared up the stairs, wishing he knew whatto do. Wondering if she was doing okay, if there was anything hecould do to help. Unsure if she would prefer a moment alone or adistraction.
“I’m glad you’re friends with Sophie. I feelbad. She’s in a new town and hasn’t started work yet. Pretty muchjust living at my beck and call these days, and I’ve been terriblecompany. I almost forgot her birthday. Mom said you brought homepie for tonight and we’re having a quasi-surprise party for her?”Pippa lowered herself into the living room couch, looking downrightforlorn.
Hoping this was the moment, he sat in thecouch opposite. “She’s pretty awesome. I can see why you and sheare such good friends.”
Smiling reflectively, Pippa nodded. “She is.Got me through grad school, I swear.”
Here goes nothing, “Pippa, about Sophie–”
After a quick knock, the front door opened asthe intruder let himself in. Grady. Dammit, not now. Worst timingever. For the second time today. “Hey there. Sophie around?”
Asher held firmly in his spot on the couch,not trusting himself to say anything decent. Pippa answered forthem. “She’s in her room. I’d give her some space, though. Her auntwas here, and it was a pretty unpleasant interaction.”
Grady nodded, looking quite sympathetic. “I’dlike to talk to her anyway. I owe her a huge apology, so maybe shecould use some kind words.”
Selfish prick. Just let her be. Ashermentally berated himself. Maybe Grady was right; maybe he could atleast right wrongs from earlier today and bring some relief toSophie. Or he could make her day much worse.
Puzzled, Pippa raised an eyebrow at Grady butapparently didn’t think she should pry. “You know which room ishers? I’ll bet she could use a good friend right now.”
As Grady neared the top of the stairs, Asherhopped off the couch. “I’m going to go get changed into a dryshirt.” He headed straight for the bathroom that separated his andSophie’s bedrooms. Not that he was intending to listen in, but,hey, what if Sophie needed backup?
He could hear Grady’s voice easily throughthe door. “I’m so sorry about earlier. I’m sure it’s obvious, but Iwas rather hoping to ask you out myself. Guess I moved too slow,which I’m notorious for.”
