“You’re welcome, Everly.” He smiled.
“She’s a great woman, Asher,” Richard spoke as he sat down across from my desk.
“She certainly is.” I gave him a smile as I took a seat behind my desk.
“How do you deal with it. You know—”
“It was hard at first, but now I’m used to it. Sort of.” I smirked.
“I remember when I was with Laura. I didn’t even have a clue what was going on, but those dreams she had frightened her to her core.”
“Everly is stronger than her mother ever was, and she learned to deal with it and accept it. Thanks to her grandmother. Hell, she even puts up with my father.”
“Your father?” He cocked his head.
“He likes to visit her. He can’t seem to move on for some reason.”
“But you don’t see him, right?”
“No. Only she can.” I sighed. “I know you know she is your daughter, Richard. And I think you knew it the night of the fundraiser. I saw the way you looked at her. It was almost as if you were seeing a ghost.”
“I just had this weird overwhelming feeling when I met her. I can’t explain it, Asher. I’d never felt anything like it. So, when you asked if the two of you could come over, I knew something wasn’t right.”
“I just hope this doesn’t complicate things for you and your family.”
“Christina and I already spoke to the girls. We sat down with them and told them everything. I didn’t tell them what Everly can do. I didn’t want to add that to the mix.”
“How did the girls take it?”
“They took it well and they want to meet her. So, after we get the test results back that prove I’m her father, we’re going to have you two over for a family barbeque.”
“Looking forward to it.” I smiled.
“You’re a good man, Asher. And I’m not just saying that because you’re my boss. I see the way you love Everly, and it makes me happy that she’s being taken care of by someone like you.”
“Thanks, Richard.” I chuckled. “But trust me, Everly takes care of herself and the more you get to know her, the more you’ll understand what I mean.”
He let out a laugh.
42
One Week Later
Everly
I was sitting on the edge of the bed thinking when Asher walked into the room.
“My father isn’t here, is he?”
“No. Why?”
“I don’t know. It’s just the way you’re staring into space. I thought maybe you were talking to him.”
“I was just thinking,” I softly spoke.
“About?” He hooked his arm around me as he sat down.
“My life and how it’s changed so drastically in the last few months. I mean, I go from having no family besides Daniel, to having a father, stepmother and two sisters. All of a sudden, I have this new family, and it’s a lot to take in. I’m nervous to meet Richard’s girls.”
“You mean your sisters?” I smiled at her.
“What if they don’t like me?”
“They’ll love you. Richard told me that they’re excited to meet you.”
“We’ll see.”
“Aw, baby.” He pulled me into him and kissed the side of my head. “Stop being ridiculous. Now we have to go, or we’ll be late. And you don’t want to be late the first time meeting your sisters.”
“You’re right. I’ll meet you downstairs. I’m just going to check my hair one last time.” I kissed his lips.
When I walked into the bathroom, I saw Curtis sitting on the edge of the bathtub.
“Curtis. To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“I’m just here to wish you luck, darling. I’m happy things worked out for you.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it. And you know what? I would be so happy for you if you crossed over to where you’re supposed to be.” I smiled at him.
“Yeah. I’ve been thinking about that, and I think I’m going to stick around for a while.”
“Why?” I shot him a look.
“Because I like seeing my son happy, you’re like the daughter I never had.” He smirked before he disappeared.
“Everly? Are you coming?” Asher asked.
“Sorry.” I turned the light off in the bathroom and grabbed my purse. “Apparently, your father plans on sticking around.”
“What?” Why?” he asked as he followed me out of the bedroom.
“Because he likes seeing his son so happy, and I’m like the daughter he never had.” I sighed.
“You have got to be kidding me.”
The moment we arrived at Richard’s and Christine’s apartment, nerves flooded my body. What if the girls didn’t like me?
“Stop fidgeting,” Asher spoke as he knocked on the door.
“I can’t help it.”
“They’re going to love you,” he said.
I had expected Richard or Christine to answer. But when the door opened, a beautiful young girl with long brown hair and big brown eyes stood there.
“Hello, there.” Asher smiled at her.
“Hi. You must be my sister, Everly,” she said as she stared at me. “I’m Emily.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Emily.” I smiled at her.
When we stepped inside, we were greeted by Richard and Christina. Over on the couch was they’re youngest daughter, Laurel.
“Laurel, come here, sweetheart,” Richard spoke as he held out his hand to her. “I’d like you to meet Everly, your sister.”
She looked like Emily with the same brown eyes, except her hair was blonde.
“It’s nice to meet you.” She gave a shy and unsure smile.
“It’s nice to meet you, too.”
“Come on, Asher. Let’s go get these burgers on the grill and leave the girls to talk.”
I gave Asher a nod to let him know that I was okay, and I went and helped Christina in the kitchen. When the burgers were ready, we all gathered around the table to eat.
“Laurel just found out she got a full-ride scholarship to NYU.” Richard smiled at her.
“Wow. Congratulations, Laurel,” I said. “Your parents must be very proud.”
“Thank you, and they are. I’m excited that I’m going to make something of my life, unlike some people.” She looked at Emily.
“Shut up, Laurel.”
“Emily, that’s enough!” Christina spoke in an authoritative tone.
“God. I can’t wait to get the hell out of here!” Emily shouted as she threw her napkin down and ran to her room, slamming the door behind her.
I swallowed hard as I looked at Asher. He was feeling just as uncomfortable as I was.
“Kids,” he spoke.
“I apologize,” Richard spoke. “She’s been giving us a lot of grief lately.”
“Lately? Try her whole life,” Laurel said.
“That’s enough, Laurel,” Christina scolded her. “I’ll go see—”
“Let me go talk to her,” I said. “Sometimes it’s easier to talk to someone you don’t know.”