On One Condition (S.I.N. #2)

by K. Bromberg

“Jesus, kid. You scared the hell out of me.” “I thought you weren’t the type to have a woman who comes over and then sneaks out about the time that school starts.” “I never said that.” I run a hand through my hair, not really ready for Tootie. I haven’t had my coffee yet. “Momma calls that the walk of shame.” “It’s not a walk of shame when you plan on seeing the woman again.” She makes a mock puking sound in her hand. “Oh, please.” “Please what?” “People only say that when they’re in love. Gag. Gross. I’m gonna puke.” She coughs. “Are you in love with Asher?” I stare at her for a beat, my heart pounding, my eyes darting, and then begin laughing. “You should be in the theater. You’re a great actress.” She straightens up and smiles. “I know. I’m a real Bette Davis. At least according to my grandma, but I have no idea who that is so I just smile and pretend I do.” Whew. Subject changed. Topic over.

“I love you,” I whisper against the back of her head. I love you, yet I have no fucking clue what to do about it.

She just needs someone to hold her hand if she fails, to celebrate her when she succeeds, and to listen when she speaks. There’s so much more said in silence than in a room full of people talking.”

“She’s independent for a reason. Asher doesn’t need fixing. She just needs someone to hold her hand if she fails, to celebrate her when she succeeds, and to listen when she speaks.”

“All you need to know is I want this, I want you.”

“This should be the easiest decision in your life, Ash. Choosing me should be the easiest decision.” His voice breaks, and it nearly kills me. “But I shouldn’t have to give up my life just to have you in it.”

“I once told you that only one girl has ever broken my heart before. That was you, Asher. And I swear to fucking God, I think you’re breaking it again.” He puts my face in his hands and presses the gentlest of kisses on my lips. “I love you, Asher Wells. I think I always have.” Those words should fill my heart, instead, they fracture it a little more. Because I’m not sure if love is enough to conquer the obstacles we face.

“Hey.” “What’s wrong?” Two words are all Ford needs to say to have me closing my eyes and taking a deep breath. “Nothing. Why?” I lie. “You’re full of shit. Callahan’s here too.” “Hey,” Callahan says. “Something’s wrong. We can both feel it.” Goddamn triplet voodoo. “What are you not telling us, Ledge?”

“Go get your lavender girl. You’ve waited fifteen years. I don’t think you should waste another minute,” Ford says. Or Callahan. I’m not sure which one, but it doesn’t fucking matter. I already have more important things on my mind.

“You told me you wanted this place because it was the only place I’d never touched. It was the only place where you could forget about me. I don’t want you to forget about me. I don’t want you to live another day without me. So I’ve touched it now, Asher. I’ve made it so that we’re partners in this venture . . . and hopefully in life. I touched it because I don’t want to spend another day where either of us doesn’t feel one another’s presence.”

“Say yes, Asher. Say you’ll do this with me. That you’ll be with me. That you’ll depend on me.” He kneels and when I look down, all I can see is the love swimming in his eyes. It’s then that he opens a box with a ring in it. It’s gorgeous and sparkly. I don’t even look at it long enough to know what it is because he’s all I want to look at. He’s all I want. Ledger. My moonlight boy. I love him. I think I always have. I press a kiss to his lips. “On one condition,” I murmur. He leans back, his eyes dancing with amusement. “What’s that?” “That you’ll love me forever.”

Callahan whistles. “Should we entertain the crowd for you?” “What do you mean?” I take a sip of my beer. “That look can only mean one thing when a woman gives it to you.” Ford chuckles. “She wants you. Right now. Maybe even in the loft of the barn for a quickie while we’re all obliviously occupied out here.” “You’re so full of shit.” The teasing never stops. “Full of shit?” Callahan snorts and points to where Sutton is cradling my adorable baby niece dressed in a bright yellow romper. “It’s the same look Sutton gave me that got me that.” “And you wouldn’t have it any other way,” I say as I look at Callahan. He’s still staring at Sutton and his daughter with an expression I never thought I’d see on his face—absolute and complete love and adoration. “You’re right. I wouldn’t,” he murmurs.

When she walks away from me with an extra swing to her hips, there is only one thought in my head. I’m glad she chose me. So fucking glad.