Until November (Until, #1)(28)

“Yeah, how much for this stand?” I asked her, smiling.

“This is one hundred and twenty five,” she mumbled like she didn’t want to actually talk to me but was forced to because of her job.

“Really? Wow, I love it. Don’t you love it?” Her head flew up and she looked me in the eye for the first time. They were light green with a ring of dark green. She had the most beautiful eyes I had ever seen besides Asher’s.

“Yeah, it’s nice,” she said so quietly that I almost didn’t hear her.

“I'm November,” I said, sticking out my hand. She hesitantly shook it.

She looked a little surprised before she answered. “I'm Liz, are you Mike’s daughter?”

“Yeah. You know my dad?”

“He and my dad were best friends,” she says quietly. I see the look of sadness cross her face and I realize that she said were and not are.

“Well, it’s nice to meet you, Liz. This is an amazing store. I can see where my pay checks will be going,” I say, trying to change the subject and hating that she looks so lost. She laughed and the sadness was replaced with pride and her whole face became stunning.

“Me and my mom own it. We just opened a few weeks ago. I grew up around here so if you ever want me to show you around, let me know,” she said. Then she froze when we heard laughing from behind us. Two women were there. One I recognized from the bar.

“Oh, how cute. Liz is trying to make a friend,” the taller of the two girls said.

“Some people never grow up,” I mumbled under my breath, shaking my head. Having dealt with my mother, who was just like these women, I did what I always did. I ignored them. “I don’t know many people in town. We should get together and have coffee sometime.”

She looked a little surprised but recovered quickly. For some reason, I was proud of her. I got the feeling that she usually let what people say get to her.

“Um…sure. That would be nice. I’ll give you my phone number when you finish shopping,” she said, turning and going through a curtain into the back room of the store. I looked around for a few more minutes and the girls were still in the store. I heard them whispering and could make out Asher’s name a few times but I couldn’t be bothered with them so I went to check out. I found a very pretty scarf that had a bold paisley print in lots of bright colors and I also found a pair of wide silver hoops with a cool design etched into them. I set my stuff on the counter and the woman looked up to me.

“Did you find everything okay, dear?”

“Yes and I would also like to buy that stand in the back. The pink one,” I told her with a smile, thinking about my new treasures.

“Sure. I’ll have Liz pull it out for you.”

“Thanks.” She gave me my total and when Liz came back out, we exchanged numbers. I told her that I would call. I went to my dad’s and dropped off my new stuff and packed up Beast. I quickly left my dad a note telling him to call me later and drove to Asher’s.

Now I am enjoying the sun that is slowly setting. There is a slight chill in the air but I put on my knit hat and giant wool sweater so I feel nice and toasty. My hair slides across my neck and then lips kiss the sensitive skin under my ear. I open my eyes to see Asher smiling down at me.

“Hey, baby. I’ve been looking for you,” he whispers.

“Hi.” I stretch, sitting up and looking around. “I guess I fell asleep,” I say quietly, realizing that I'm still sitting outside but it’s dusk and really cold.

“Yeah, I got worried when I couldn’t find you in the house. Where is your phone? Your dad and I tried calling you?”

“Oh, crap. I think it’s still in my bag. I wasn’t planning on being out here so long.”

“Let’s get you inside,” he says, picking me up. My arms go around his shoulders and I lay my head on his chest. His body is so warm and he smells so good.

“I can walk,” I mumble into his chest.

“I like carrying you. You’re so tiny,” he says and I feel him kiss my forehead.

“Ha! Only to you cause you’re a giant.” He laughs and I can feel it rumble against my cheek as he carries me into the living room and sits with me in his lap. I curl into him for a few minutes just absorbing his warmth and the feel of his steady breathing. It should feel awkward to be with him like this but it feels completely normal. How creepy is that?

“What do you want on the pizza, baby?” he asks, rubbing my back. I feel like I could fall back asleep.

“Um, mushrooms, peppers, olives, and pepperoni, unless you want something else.”

“Nope, sounds good.” I feel him lift his hips and his hand leaves my back. I can hear the beeping of his phone before he places our order. After disconnect the call, I hear the phone hit the coffee table.

“Did you have a good day?” I ask into his chest.

“No. The fire inspector wanted to close the site and Cash had to go to the hospital to get stitches.” The minute that the words are out of his mouth, I'm up, trying to pull out of his arms.

“Oh my God! What are you doing? You should be with him. Is he okay? Who’s taking care of him?” I yell, trying hard to pull away.

“He’s fine. Mom’s with him. He just cut his hand. Calm down.”