Undeniably Asher (The Colloway Brothers Book 2)(87)

“I promise, Alyse.”

“I…need to work through a few things.”

“Do these things have to do with us?” I ask hesitantly, not at all sure I can stomach the answer, feeling the bleed gush a little more.

“No. It’s…complicated.”

“Okay,” I concede, when that’s the very last thing I want to do. I’m not 100 percent sure I believe her. Whatever happened a few days ago is threatening to tear us apart. “But you should know patience is not my strong suit.”

She chuckles, teasing, “Really? I didn’t know that. What else are you hiding from me? Hair-trigger temper? Secret family? Ugly wart on the bottom of your foot that I haven’t come across yet?”

“Well, I was going to wait to tell you this until after you agreed to marry me, but I do have royalty in my bloodline. It may be nine times removed, but royalty is royalty, babe. I didn’t want it sway your decision or anything.”

“Royalty, huh? You know, I’ve always been a big fan of crowns and staged social engagements and stuffy dinner parties. If you’re really royalty, as you say, it’s a definite yes.”

The thought of making Alyse my wife has been rattling around in my head since that first night I cooked for her. Nothing has felt as right as being with her. I know it’s only been a month that we’ve actually been together, but I’m almost thirty years old and I’ve known Alyse for years. Dating for whatever cursory time period people think is acceptable, before marrying the person you know you are meant to spend your life with, is absurd. I know this is right with every fiber of my being. Alyse is my forever.

“Wow, if that’s all it took, I would have asked you to marry me already.”

Her breath catches. “Asher…”

Before she can say another word or protest, I change the subject to what her day looks like tomorrow and move into a comfortable, easygoing conversation for the next hour.

When we hang up, I realize I had it all wrong. I thought Alyse was sent to save me, but now I know it’s the other way around.

We are together because I’m supposed save her. I can’t wait to have her back in my arms where she belongs. Where she’ll always belong and I can remind her daily of my love and utter devotion to her.

I feel her slipping through my fingers. My original fear of her hurting me rears its ugly head, spewing doubt and suspicion. I can’t let that happen. I won’t let that happen.

I don’t want anyone else besides her. When I picture my future, there’s not one scenario that doesn’t include her. I don’t know how, but I know I’m not letting her go this time. I will fight to the death for her, because she’s quickly become my entire world. The only thing that truly matters.

Before I go to bed, I send her a text that I hope conveys I’ve meant every word I’ve ever spoken to her.





Me: give a listen to everything by lifehouse





Several minutes later she responds. Her sassy words warm my insides.





Alyse: dominant, romantic, and sappy? i’ve hit the triple crown





Me: u forgot royalty





Alyse: and egoistical





Me: confidence is not ego, baby. it’s just confidence





Alyse: i love u asher colloway





Me: i love u back alyse kingsley





I go to sleep that night alone, but with a smile on my face and love and hope in my heart.





Chapter 33





Alyse





I sit alone in my darkened apartment, watching the flames dance across the floor and walls. Swirling the glass of bourbon in my hand, I let the tears flow. Once again I celebrated a holiday with the Colloways, and, once again, I had a ringside seat to their happiness, their closeness, their love, their traditions. While Thanksgiving is all about fun, Christmas is all about giving back.

We spent several hours serving meals to the homeless and less fortunate at the Cathedral Shelter of Chicago, to which GRASCO Holdings is also a generous benefactor. They also don’t buy each other gifts, buying toys and clothes that they take to a local women’s shelter instead. It was enough to bring tears to my eyes, because places like that and the generosity of people like the Colloways were sometimes the only way Livia and I were clothed.

The entire Colloway clan is still upstairs in Gray and Livia’s penthouse, but I couldn’t take it anymore. I haven’t had a second to myself since I returned on Tuesday night. I’ve been trying my best to pretend I’m holding it together, yet all the while I’m breaking inside. I needed a few minutes alone so I could break on the outside. If I did it in front of anyone, the barrage of questions would return. Questions I have no answers to.