Between Hello and Goodbye(66)

Asher nodded absently, his gaze roaming.

I grinned. “You didn’t hear a word I said.”

“Yes, I did. You said you wouldn’t stop kicking the kid behind you.”

I laughed and kissed him and put all the turbulent thoughts on hold to just be with him.

We went back to his house and spent several long, heated hours becoming reacquainted. After the first need had burned itself out, we lay tangled and naked, while the sun set in hues of violet and honey outside his bedroom windows.

“How was your holiday?” I asked, tucked in his arms.

“Good,” he said. “But we got a bit of shit news. Morgan and Nalani’s house is in a mudslide zone, apparently.”

“Oh, no, really? What’s going to happen to it?”

“We’re still waiting on the final report from the surveyor but it’s not great. If they’re in danger of sliding off the mountain, they have to move.”

“That’s awful. They’re home is so beautiful and cozy and…homey.”

He nodded gravely. “I’m worried about Momi, too. Her arthritis is getting worse. The wheelchair used to be only for major outings but now it’s permanent.”

“I hate that,” I said. “Can we see her?”

“She’ll be at the family lunch tomorrow.”

“And how is everyone else? Mudslides aside.”

Asher and I had stayed in close communication since we’d embarked on our relationshit, but it wasn’t like hearing the new developments in his voice. Because no matter how often we talked or FaceTimed or grabbed a few days either here or in Seattle, it just wasn’t the same.

And getting impossible.

“They’re doing great,” he said. “Christmas is always a busy season for their business but now even more so. They’re expanding pretty fast.” His fingers tangled idly in my hair. “The humpbacks are here now, and Morgan is going to start boating excursions for tourists to take their photographs with the whales.”

“That’s absolute genius.”

“It’s going to be incredible. Not to be weird about it, but seeing the whales up close, watching them breach, and the mothers with their calves…it’s kind of a spiritual experience. Especially in February when they’re everywhere. You should see it.”

He held my gaze intently, the intention coming through those dark eyes of his loud and clear.

You need to be here. In February.

My stomach dropped as I realized Cynthia wasn’t the only person growing impatient with the way things were. I smiled weakly and glanced away. “I bet it’ll be beautiful.”

Asher stiffened at my non-answer. “Yep.” He withdrew from me to sit on the edge of the bed and drew on a pair of sleep pants. “It will be.”

“February’s looking a little exciting for me, too,” I said lightly. “Apparently, I have an award show to attend.”

Asher glanced over his shoulder. “Yeah?”

“My snowboard ad was nominated for a Clio.”

The tension in his face evaporated. “Are you serious? Faith…that’s fucking great. I’m so happy for you.” He climbed back into bed and kissed me.

“It’s more exciting than I thought it would be. When Terry kept saying it was going to happen, I sort of didn’t believe him.”

“I had no doubt.” Asher’s smile tightened. “We need to celebrate. You’ve never been to a luau in all your visits. Might be the perfect occasion.”

“Sounds lovely, but…I’m going to need some hot firefighter arm candy for that award ceremony.” My smile wavered. “I was hoping you’d be there with me.”

There. Now we’ve both put it out there.

I supposed Asher’s reluctance to upheave his life was just as potent as mine, because he stiffened up all over again.

“I’ll see what my schedule looks like. I’ve got a lot of shit going on…”

“Oh,” I said, my stomach dropping. “Sure. We can play it by ear.”

He got up from the bed. “Going to take a shower.”

I flopped back on the pillows, my eyes stinging. “I’ll be right here.”

For the next few days anyway. And then what?



The following afternoon, we visited with Asher’s family at their bungalow. Kaleo was already taller than last I’d seen him while Momi looked more frail in her chair, older by years somehow instead of months. But they all seemed happy, laughing, and talking and teasing one another. The family that I never had and that Asher had always wanted.

He’s not going to leave them, I thought with a sinking heart. Why would he?

Everyone made a big fuss over my nomination. Nalani made her key-lime pie and Morgan barbecued ribs and cooked up some homemade Hurricane fries. We sat out on the lanai, the ocean below and greenery all around. I felt Asher’s eyes on me frequently, hard and tense. This wasn’t new—usually there was a silent question floating between us of when we were going to be alone so we could have sex again. But this time around, his glances were heavy with a different kind of impatience.

God, being an irresponsible party girl was so much easier.

After dinner, I sat with Momi on the lanai while Asher and Kal threw a football around and Morgan snapped photos. Nalani left to take some limes from her tree to a neighbor.