Chapter 11

JADE

I close Jacob’s door and tiptoe down the hall to my bedroom. As I glance down at the baby monitor in my hand to ensure he’s still napping peacefully, he squirms around a bit but eventually settles back down. My shirt is wet and covered in sour milk, a little present Jacob gifted me before falling asleep. The shirt clings to my skin and it’s just too much to simply wipe off, so I opt for a shower instead.

Walking into my room, I head straight for the bathroom, turning the water on before stripping out of the soiled clothes and dropping them in a heap on the floor. At my first quiet moment for the first time today, my mind finally has a chance to wander, and of course my thoughts race to Asher.

He’s been a man of his word ever since our discussion in the park, but I still feel a bit uneasy about him. Sure, we agreed to start fresh, but I haven’t forgotten about his behavior and I still want to know what made him react that way in the first place. We’ve gone on a few short dates, nothing like our first date. They have been stolen moments and ended too quickly for anything to happen. Perhaps it’s for the best as I am a little hesitant to rush into anything. I think Asher is great, but I don’t want to get hurt by him.

So many questions rush through my head, but I decide it’s best to wait. I need to uncover a few more of his layers before I dive in any deeper. I want to be able to trust that what he’s telling me is the truth, but I need more time to get to know him first.

As soon as the water heats up, I hop in the shower, happy to wash the day away. Jacob’s naps are sometimes hit or miss and I don’t want to waste any time just in case he decides to wake up and start wailing. Unfortunately, Magdalene has been gone all day, which means I don’t have any back up if he wakes before I get out the shower.

I finish showering, dry off, and wrap my hair in a towel before heading back into my room. Sprawling out across the bed, I take a deep breath while staring at the ceiling.

I need to do the laundry, mop the floors and start dinner soon. Guess I’ll add those things to my never-ending list of things to do.

Eventually, I force myself from the bed and start searching for something to put on. My phone rings from the end table near my bed and I hurry to grab it.

Asher.

“Hello,” I say, unable to resist the smile spreading across my face.

“Hello there, gorgeous,” he says. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

I flop back on the bed cradling the phone. “No, you’re not interrupting anything. Jacob projectile vomited all over me so I just got out the shower.”

I hear papers shuffling in the background. “The shower you say? Let’s talk more about that. Where are you now?” he asks.

“I’m in my room, laying across the bed.”

“Naked?” he asks.

I laugh and roll my eyes. “Yes and no. I’m naked, but there’s a towel wrapped around me.”

This time Asher laughs. “Are the blinds up or down this time?”

I slide off the bed and grab my clothes to get dressed. “Ha, very funny. You won’t trick a free show out of me, Mr. Jordan. The blinds are definitely down.”

“Damn,” he says playfully. “It wouldn’t have mattered, anyway. I’m stuck in the office waiting on my next meeting to start. I just wanted to hear your voice before spending the next three hours listening to a colleague go on and on about a firm I don’t care to buy.”

“Aww,” I say as I slip into my clothes. “You’re at working thinking about little ol’ me?”

“Of course I am,” he says. “Thinking of you helps get me through the day.”

“I’ve been thinking about you too,” I admit.

I grab the baby monitor and tiptoe down the hall to the kitchen. Opening the freezer, I stare at the contents, brainstorming recipes.

“So, what are my chances of seeing you tomorrow night on your day off?” he asks.

I grab a pack of chicken from the freezer to thaw. I’m sure there are veggies in the fridge that will go together with it perfectly.

“I’d say your chances are favorable,” I sigh. “I’m tired of staring out my window hoping to catch a glimpse of you.”

Asher laughs for a few moments and what I said quickly dawns on me.

“So, who’s the Peeping Tom now?” he asks.

“My, how the tables have turned,” I say, still laughing.

“All right, gorgeous, I hate to cut our conversation short, but my meeting is about to get started. Be ready tomorrow night at seven o’clock.”

“Talk to you later,” I say.

“Bye.”

I end the call, put the phone on the counter and stare at it. Asher is sweet and charming, but there’s still that mysterious piece of him I can’t quite put my finger on. One minute I’m wrestling with the idea of him still being a creep, and the next I’m swooning like a teenager over a short phone call. I pull out the mop and cleaning supplies, needing something to take my mind away from my thoughts. No matter how charming he is, I still find myself constantly running through the ‘what ifs’ of the situation.

What if he hurts me? What if he lies to me? What if he’s just using me for a good time? On the other hand, I think about the more positive ‘what ifs’ as well. What if he really is being sincere? What if he really likes me?

The internal struggle is both exciting and confusing. My lack of a social life is making each small interaction into a larger deal than they deserve, this I’m sure of. Asher has a lot going on, and most likely many women to go along with it. I can’t be more than a challenge to him, and I try to remember that for tomorrow night as I go on with my day.

I fill up my mop bucket and pour in the cleaning solution. While my mind races a mile a minute, I busy myself with my chores around the house. Nothing helps settle my nerves better than giving the floor a good scrub.