“Yeah, yeah, you guys are going at it. I’m no dummy, you know? That’s fine. She’s nice and I like you, Asher.”
“So why are you going on about the kissing?” I asked.
“Well, it happened! What do you want me to do, lie about it?”
I harrumphed. “I guess not. I don’t know.”
Asher chuckled. “It’s fine. I understand the situation. I’m not upset. It’s more amusing than anything. You’re really different, you know that?”
I glared at him.
“In a good way! A wonderful way. I love it.” He reached over and took my hand in his, squeezing my fingers. “I really do, I love you. Not even Jeremy and his good looks can pull us apart.”
“I don’t know, man,” Jeremy said, tousling his hair. “I’m pretty ridiculously good looking. I could give you a run for your money.”
I looked at Asher, daring a glance into his eyes. He smiled and squeezed my hand again. “I didn’t mean to kiss Jeremy,” I said. “I mean, I meant to, but…”
“It’s fine,” Asher said.
“Alright, so now that this mushy crap is out of the way, can we figure out what’s going on? What do you want to do? Do we go to the bookstore? Do you think that’s where she went?” Having finished his breakfast, Jeremy chugged what was left of his smoothie.
“Yes,” Asher said. “If neither of them are there, I’m sure the owner will be, right?” He looked to me for confirmation.
“Yes, they’re open every day but Sunday. They close early today, but we have plenty of time,” I said.
“Right. So we’ll go, and if nothing else I’ll talk with the owner. Since you’re acquainted with him, I think this will go well, Jessika. Maybe we can get some help from him. He might know something.”
“Alright,” I said, nodding.
“Sounds good,” Jeremy agreed. “I’ll drive, of course. No funny business in the back seat, though, you two.” He wagged a finger at us.
He looked so ridiculous that all I could do was laugh.
…
We arrived at Robert’s bookstore shortly after it opened. Unfortunately, no matter how much I liked the place, it was never very popular. Robert spent most of his mornings tidying up and re-organizing. Except when I came in, in which case he usually chatted with me and we talked about new books or authors and things like that while I helped him out a little. I never worked there, he never paid me, but I enjoyed it still. It was fun and I liked Robert.
Before we got out of the car, Asher took my hand in his and stared at me with a strange kind of look. I didn’t really understand it and it scared me. “Jessika,” he said, “if something happens I need you to stay safe, alright? I can handle the situation if it goes badly, but I want you to keep enough distance that you can find safety if need be.”
I smiled at him and laughed lightly. “You’re talking like this is dangerous,” I said. “It’s nothing, Asher. Don’t worry about me. We’re just going in to talk with Beatrice. It’s like a business meeting, I bet.”
Just talking, right? Nothing more than that. Accusations, yes, and perhaps a heated discussion, but what was Asher thinking? It worried me that he was worried, and I didn’t understand it. This wasn’t… this wasn’t… I didn’t actually know what this was, but I knew deep down that everything would be fine.
“I’m sure you’re right.” He kissed me on the lips, lingering. “I’m worried, that’s all. It’s silly.”
“You two getting out?” Jeremy asked. “You want me to stay here or come in?”
“It’s probably best if you stay here,” Asher said. “If Beatrice sees all of us, it could seem overly confrontational. I want to settle this as peacefully as possible.”
“Sure thing, boss.”
Asher opened the car door on his side and stepped out. He stood to his full height and brushed down his suit jacket, peering at his surroundings. I watched him, enthralled. Asher was the kind of person who looked commanding in almost any setting, I realized. In Landseer Tower, yes, and in his home, of course, but when I saw him look like that now, standing on the street having just exited the car, I realized this was him always. It wasn’t something he did intentionally, it was a part of him.
He jogged around the car to my side and opened the door for me. When he reached inside, I took his offered hand and let him help me out. He smiled and kissed me again, this time on the forehead.
“Ready?” he asked.
“I’m ready,” I said.