Page 102 of In Case You Didn't Know
“It’s not.” My voice is firmer now. “You’re going to go to Virginia to tell your family the truth. I’m going to head to New York to sort out my own issues. It’s a pause, nothing else.”
“And what happens when we un-pause?” She looks up at me.
“We’ll come back together. I’ll come to you, you come to me, we both come here. Whatever. We’ll work it out.”
“Maybe I’ll get my book finished too. Assuming I can work out the ending.”
“I already know the end,” I say, kissing her softly.
“You do? Can you tell me please?” she teases.
“Guy gets the girl.” My lips claim hers again. “And the guy never lets her go.”
She shakes her head, amused at my poor attempts to plot her book. “It needs a cliffhanger. That’s part of the contract.”
“This is why I’m a security guy, not a writer. But our ending, baby. That’s not coming. This? You and me? We’re just getting started.”
twenty-eight
FRANCIE
When I wake up the next morning, Asher has already left. The sheets are cold, but the pillow next to mine still smells faintly of his skin. Clean and sharp, with a hint of spice. It makes my stomach tighten, the way it always does when it comes to Asher Fitzgerald.
Deciding that I can’t just lie here and mope – because I have a book to write, damn it – I force myself to sit up, my hand reaching to the nightstand for my phone. That’s when I see them. His glasses. Folded neatly beside the lamp. He must have forgotten them in his rush to catch the first ferry to the mainland.
A pang slices through my chest. It’s like a little piece of him is still here. And the man isn’t going to be able to see for shit tonight, not once he takes his contacts out. And he’s definitely going to struggle when I tell him to switch the cameras on later this evening to tease him like I plan to.
You forgot something. Your glasses. Or, as I like to call them, your ‘I’m about to ruin your life’ disguise. – Francie x
I barely hit send before I see the typing icon come up on the app. A moment later his reply lands.
Shit, did I? Guess I was too busy ruining your life to notice. – Asher ;)
Getting a winky emoji from Asher Fitzgerald feels like winning the world cup. I didn’t know he even knew how to wink.
You’re going to have to squint at your spreadsheets all night like a sexy mole. I’m picturing it now. Getting a little turned on to be honest. – Francie x
Are moles sexy? – Asher
Only when they wear five-thousand-dollar suits and whisper filthy things in your ear until your legs buckle. Which, to be clear, is my entire fantasy now. So thanks for that, Moley. – Francie x
It cost three thousand actually. And keep the glasses. You can model them for me. – Asher
Only if you wear the suit. Just the suit. Nothing else. – Francie x
I smile, finally swinging my legs out of bed. Just messaging with him has already made me feel better. I miss him and his sexy-nerd glasses more than I care to admit. That end-of-summer feeling is still there, pulling at me, but maybe,just maybe, going back to metaphorical school won’t be so bad after all.
Don’t play with me. I’m about two seconds from turning around and coming back to get you. – Asher
A smile pulls at my lips. I really need to get in the shower and get some caffeine in my body, because I’m so close to finishing this book. I slide my feet onto the floor and grab my bathrobe, wrinkling my nose because despite it being Asher-certified spider free, I’m still not the biggest fan of the guest bathroom.
What are you wearing right now? – Asher
I laugh out loud. He might have expensive suits and a flash car, but he can be such aboy.I glance down at my overworn robe. It’s white, but has turned a little gray, threadbare in spots, and has a faded hotel logo from the place I stole it from four years ago, though I left housekeeping the biggest tip.
It’s also the most comfortable thing I’ve ever worn. I think I’d give up my sanity before I give up this robe.
Nothing. – Francie x
