“Isn’t just about here and now. Sometimes big decisions arise.”
“Yeah. You’ve been avoiding something for a while. You might as well tell me.”
“How did you know?” Her tone was surprised. He always seemed to read her mind.
“Because I know you.”
“Do you remember that case I told you about last year? The one with Larkin Chase?”
He nodded, tilting his head. “How could I forget? It was all you talked about.” He slid his finger down her nose and tapped the end of it in a loving gesture.
“The only people to argue that case, and have any effect on it, were the lawyers. It was a slow, thorough process but change happened. That’s why it caught my attention. The role the lawyers had in it. I started listening closely to their arguments. And I did some research into the different precedents that determine the laws; some are brilliant, and others arbitrary. And the law is always changing. It is a fluid subject and there are so many to know. I find it intriguing to see how anyone could learn all of them and both interpret and apply them as necessary.”
“Daisy—”
When he interrupted her, she sensed the question and statement in Asher’s tone. He caught on and knew exactly where she was going with her long introduction.
“You… you want to go to law school now.”
“Yes,” she whispered with her eyes shut while putting her head back on his shoulder.
“This isn’t your newest idea for a career, is it?”
“It is. But it feels different then others.”
“You’ve thought long and hard about this? You didn’t tell me for obvious reasons. Right? You’re not coming home again. At least, not to what I call home, which is here with me.”
Tears flooded her eyes and pressure filled her sinuses. She shook her head and buried her face in his shoulder. She was seeking comfort from the very person she was about to hurt and disappoint. What would become of them? What would he say? Should she really do this? Or was it better to just shelve it as a dream and come home? Should she think about it some more? The ensuing decisions exhausted her as they swirled through her brain. For a long while now, she tried to ignore them.
“Tell me what you’ve done about it.”
She cleared her throat. Lord, he knew her so well. “I took the LSAT last October and passed.”
“That was the big test you kept referring to that you were overly distracted by?”
“Yeah.” Of course. Asher knew her study behavior was different at the time. She did so well at school, and he always respected her penchant for hard work. She never tried to explain what she was doing or why. But he noticed every little detail about her.
“And you applied to all the law schools.” Statement, not a question. But to her surprise, there was no anger or disappointment in his voice. He sounded neutral and factual in his tone.
“Yes. I accepted enrollment to three of the schools. Just to have some choices to decide on.”
“Where are they?” Same tone. He read her so well.
“Boston, Chicago and Seattle. But I haven’t decided on which one yet. Or if I’m even going to do it. You know me…” Her words trailed off. She flinched with shame at using her former reputation to avoid taking full responsibility. Of course, she knew exactly what she was doing to Asher, to herself and to them.
His arm rested around her and he put his hand on her waist. He pulled her closer, tucking her next to him. Daisy turned fully toward him and hid her face in the material of his shirt at his shoulder. She grabbed it with her hand. “I’m so sorry, Asher.” Her soft words were muffled by his chest. But she knew he heard them when his muscles tensed under her before ending in stillness. The deep paralysis invaded his whole body. It was a full minute before she felt his lips on the top of her head and he lingered there for a moment before resting his cheek against her hair. Such a familiar, wonderful, comforting position for them. Asher knew how much she liked it.
“I know, Daze. I know.”
Five minutes passed. “I haven’t decided on anything yet.”
“Okay.” His tone was soft and incredulous. She finally lifted her gaze to his and they stared at each other in the shadowy, dim light of the room. Each was as sad and unsure as the other. But there was no anger at all. He knew she didn’t want to leave him. Anything that kept them apart wasn’t due to their relationship. Strangely, after all these years of being separated, they both still solidly believed in each other and their relationship. There was never any jealousy or insecurity. They shared the rare and beautiful gift of believing in each other’s love. Reveling in their mutual security and always being present for each other eased the distance.
“I love you, Asher.”
He smiled softly and looked sad. “I know you do. I know you always have. The difference is: now I love you too.”
But they didn’t make any promises. They finally got up and quietly got ready for bed without uttering another word besides goodnight.
Chapter 12
ASHER OFTEN WONDERED HOW so many people could be included in his family. Daisy on the east coast pursuing her law school dreams, Rose and Mateo in Rhode Island, Hunter Rydell living in downtown Seattle in a high-rise. Hunter was marrying the illustrious daughter of an elite, old-money family. They ran a large retailer called Stanton Stores, that was based out of Seattle and boasted being in business for over a hundred and fifty years. They were well known. Important. Valued. Powerful. Wealthy. In short, they were everything Asher didn’t care to know about or associate with.
However, he expected Hunter to marry someone exactly like that. Hunter was almost dapper in how he presented himself, always dressed in a suit, usually three-piece, and driven by business and culture. He loved a good symphony performance and adored classical music. He was blathering in ecstasy after the first live performance of the Seattle Symphony. From the very first time he ventured out of his hometown, River’s End, to attend Seattle University, Hunter never came back.
He was kind of like Daisy.
And Asher? His destiny was more remote than River’s End could offer. Perhaps even as soon as the following spring, after the winter thaw, Asher would finally be ready to move into the house on his ranch. Maybe.
Without Daisy.
At twenty-eight years old, Asher was not only ready to move into his house but also to claim his future. He was serious enough now to want her around him all the time, not just visiting. He was more than ready for the relationship they had so much fun with, building a solid, secure foundation, but now Asher wanted to grow up and be together with Daisy. Fully.
The entire Rydell family and half of the townspeople in River’s End were invited to attend Hunter’s enormous wedding. Almost everyone accepted their invitation. For one thing, it was being held at The Emerald Rooftop Pavilion, probably the most expensive and exclusive location in the city. Opulent didn’t begin to describe the venue. The posh setting. The extensive guest list. The massive expense to provide every last detail for the affair. Asher tried to comprehend how much it cost but couldn’t begin to fathom it. From the army of white-gloved men serving magnums of champagne before the ceremony, to the flowers that occupied every surface available. Asher found them almost suffocating with their pervasive scents.