Page 74 of Asher
Repeatedly.
It still amazed to me how easily we transitioned from friends to more. How easily she fit into mine and Phoenix’s lives. She was meant to be there, and I hoped like hell, once her house was done, I could convince her to move in permanently. It’d only been a little over a month since we were in Vegas, and I convinced her to give this a shot. I knew that wasn’t long, but it was long enough.
I needed her to fully be mine.
Stella opened the door and waved at us from the doorway. She had on a pair of black shorts and tank top, with a huge smile on her face. Her dark hair was pulled up and she looked like she was comfortable here. I hadn’t had time to ask Stella what her issue with Haley was. I’d been trying to convince myself that she had just been off that day and didn’t actually have an issue with Haley. But maybe Hales was right, and it was just difficult to see me dating someone else.
Someone who wasn’t Carrie.
I hoped she could move past it and accept Hales, but it wouldn’t matter either way. I wasn’t giving Haley up. “You ready to head in, bug?” I asked, peering in the rearview. She nodded and reached over to unbuckle her booster seat. Nix picked her own outfit for the day which comprised a Black tutu, a hot pink shirt, complete with a blue and purple sequenced unicorn, and her brand new yellow rain boots.
She outgrew her last pair right before her birthday and it took way too damn long for the new pair to come back in.
Which I heard about every single day when she put on normal tennis shoes.
God forbid.
“Let’s go.” She happily banged on her window to be let out. I climbed out of the truck and opened her door which was child locked. She hopped down, running straight into Stella’s arms. She whispered something to Nix, who agreed to whatever it was, before she bounded up the steps and disappeared into the house, leaving me alone on the porch with Stella. Turning away from her, I grabbed Nix’s overnight bag from the back seat.
“Hey,” Stella whispered from behind me, startling me.When the hell had she gotten so close?
“Hey,” I said moving further into the open door and away from her. My skin prickled at her closeness, an uneasy feeling spreading through my chest. She placed her hand on my arm, sliding her long fingers underneath the sleeve of my t-shirt. My jaw tensed how wrong her touch felt.
She rubbed my arm once before reaching past me to grab Phoenix’s stuffed pig with the other. The move lined her body even more flush with mine. The urge to push her away ate at me.
“Thanks,” I mumbled, leaning fully against the door.
“Sure. Is there anything else I can help you with?” She gazed up at me through thick black lashes. If I didn’t know any better, I would think that she was trying to hit on me but that couldn’t be possible.
I pressed my lips into a tight smile. “Nope. I’m good. I’ll meet you inside.”
Her eyes dimmed and she dropped her hand way from my arm. The tension between my shoulder released at the space. “Okay.” She smiled quickly, turning on her heel to head back inside.
The counters were covered with different breakfast casseroles, bacon, sausage and fruit. I laughed as Nix stuffed one of the muffins in her mouth. “Did you guys cook for an army?” I joked, dropping Nix’s bag on the floor by the stairs.
“I couldn’t help myself.” Sheila walked up and placed a kiss on me cheek. We each filled a plate and sat around the table talking about our week. Stella sat down in the seat next to me, her bare knee brushing against mine. She smiled shyly and apologized as I jerked away.
“When does Haley get back into town?” Jim took a sip of his coffee, pulling my attention.
“This afternoon. I’m going to take her on date.” I felt slightly uncomfortable talking about my dating life, but I couldn’t help the way my heart sped up at the thought of seeing her. Jim and Sheila wanted to get to know Haley. I knew there was a hole left in their lives when we lost Carrie, and while no one could ever replace her, they were more than happy to bring someone else into their home with wide open hearts.
That someone just happened to be Haley.
“Oh, you’ll have to bring her by tomorrow when you pick up Nix. We could have lunch.” Sheila reached across the table to pat my hand. I knew Haley still felts little uncomfortable because she didn’t want step on any toes or seem like she was trying to replace Carrie in anyway. It was one of the things I loved most about her.
“I’m sure she’d love that,” I said. I could already see the wheels turning in Sheila’s mind as to what she wanted to cook.
Stella’s fork clattered against her plate as she pushed her chair back. She stood quickly, pointing to her phone as if there were a call waiting. “Sorry. I’ve got to take this.” Her voice wobbled.
“Is everything okay with Stell?” My brow pulled down as I stared at the back door where she disappeared onto the back deck.
Sheila sighed and looked at Jim who seemed equally concerned. “She says she’s fine, but she broke up with her boyfriend right before moving here. I think she’s taking it harder than she let on,” She whispered in a hushed tone as she explained.
“She hasn’t been herself.” Jim added.
“I’m going to go check on her.” I stood, ruffling Nix’s hair. I didn’t know Stella that well, but I did know Carrie would’ve wanted someone to look after her.
To care about her.