“Probably another two weeks or so. I still have some things to pack up here and at the shop.”
“I thought you had a huge closing sale?”
“There are still a lot of things left that need to be packed up or sold. I’m running the sale until the end of next week.”
“I need you here, Everly.”
“And I want to be there. But these things take time. You should be happy my house sold in one day.”
“I am. Trust me. Now get that damn shop packed up and get to New York. I love you.”
“I love you too, Asher. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
I ended the call and climbed into bed with a smile on my face. I may have told him a little white lie. The store was already closed down. A couple who owned their own metaphysical shop in Massachusetts drove to my shop when they heard it was closing and bought out all my stock. Since I wasn’t going to be needing my jeep anymore, I sold it to Sam for a very good price. The only things I needed to bring with me were my personal items, which was more than I could fit in two large suitcases, so I hired a moving truck to transport the rest of my things to New York. They would be here tomorrow morning at seven a.m. and my flight out of Rhode Island left at ten a.m.
The next morning, I answered Asher’s Facetime call promptly at six a.m.
“Good morning, beautiful.” A wide grin crossed his face.
“Good morning, handsome.”
“How did you sleep last night?” he asked.
“Pretty good. I would have slept better in your arms.”
“I know, baby. But it’s already Wednesday, and I’ll be there Friday evening.”
“I can’t wait to see you.” I smiled.
“And I can’t wait to see you. Listen, I have very important back-to-back meetings all day today, so I won’t be able to Facetime you again until tonight. I hope you understand.”
“Pish.” I waved my hand in front of the phone. “Of course I understand. You’re a very busy man running that multi-billion-dollar company, and I’m a very busy woman trying to get everything in place so I can get to New York.”
“I love you, and I’ll be thinking about you all day,” he said.
“I love you, Asher. I’ll talk to you tonight.” I kissed the phone and he kissed me back.
Climbing out of bed, I threw on some clothes, put on some light makeup and put my hair in a high ponytail. I had everything that needed to be moved in the middle of the living room and my two large suitcases by the front door. As I walked around the house, my eyes began to fill with tears. This house was filled with so many memories and it was hard to let go.
“You hold the memories here in your heart, my sweet girl. It’s time to move on,” I heard my grandmother’s voice.
“Grandma.” I smiled as I turned around and saw her sitting in her favorite chair. “I wondered if I’d see you again.”
“Only in times you need me, Everly, and this is one of those times.”
“I’m so happy to be moving to New York to be with Asher, but yet I’m so sad to leave this house.”
“It’s time to close the chapter of this life and go start a new one.” She smiled. “Life is full of new seasons, and yours has just begun.”
There was a knock at the door and my grandmother disappeared. Sighing, I opened the door and let the movers inside. They loaded up my things and just as they pulled away, the car I reserved pulled into the driveway. Grabbing my two large suitcases, I set them on the porch as the driver took them and put them in the trunk of his car. I stood in front of the house and looked up.
“Goodbye, old friend. Thanks for the wonderful memories,” I spoke as I climbed in the back of the car.
37
Everly
I stepped off the plane and immediately turned on my phone. Thank God Asher kept his promise and didn’t try to contact me. After grabbing my bags from baggage claim, I took a cab to the penthouse and had, Lester, the doorman let me up.
“Asher doesn’t know I’m here. It’s a surprise.”
“No worries, Miss King. I won’t say a word.” He gave me a wink. “It’s good to have you joining us.”
“Thanks, Lester. It’s good to be here.”
I stepped into the foyer and then dragged my heavy bags up the stairs and into the bedroom. I smiled as I threw myself down on the bed and looked around. The room smelled like him and it made me miss him even more. Asher had two walk-in closets directly across from each other. Opening the one door, I saw it was empty, so I started unpacking my suitcases. Opening the drawers to the tall chest, I knew he had cleared those out for me. Once I got all my clothes hung and put away, I put the rest of my stuff away in the bathroom, after I had to rearrange a few things. I set my razor and bottles of shampoo and conditioner on the shelf in the oversized steam shower. Standing back, I smiled as they sat next to his.
It was six-thirty when Asher sent me a text message.
“Hey, baby. I just left the office and I’m on my way home. I’ll Facetime you when I get there. You better be ready.”
“Hey there, handsome. I’m ready. I can’t wait to talk to you.”
“Me either, gorgeous. It’s been a very long and stressful day.”
I quickly changed into a sexy black nighty I had purchased from Victoria Secret the other day. After making sure my hair and makeup were perfect, I climbed on the bed in a sexy position and waited for him. I heard the ding of the elevator and my heart started to race. After a few moments, I could hear his footsteps coming up the stairs.
Asher
The second I got home, I headed upstairs to change. I wanted to do that first before I called Everly. Today was exhausting and I would give anything to have her here with me this very moment. To hold her, make love to her, and just be with her. As I approached my room, I noticed the door was half closed, which I found odd because I didn’t remember doing that this morning. Slowly opening the door, I stood there in shock when I saw Everly lying on my bed in sexy lingerie.
“Come here, lover boy!” She grinned.
I couldn’t speak for a moment because I was in total shock.
“What are you doing here?!” I grinned as I climbed on the bed and hovered over her.
She placed her hand on the back of my head and pulled me down for a passionate kiss.
“I’ve moved in. I hope you don’t mind.” A wide smile graced her face.
“You’re here? As in here? Right now and forever?”
“I’m here, Asher, and I’m not going anywhere as long I have this comfy bed and your sexy body to keep me warm.”
“I thought—”
“Shh.” She placed her finger on my lips. “Shut up and fuck me.”
I couldn’t believe she was finally here and there would be no more going back to Rhode Island. No more goodbyes and no more tears. I quickly stood up and stripped out of my clothes. She had made me the happiest man on Earth, and we spent the next two hours in bed together making magic happen.
“Wow. That was amazing,” she said as she climbed off me.
“Damn right it was. Are you going to tell me how you planned all this without me knowing?”