Chapter 32

thirty-two

. . .

Sloane

The sunlight filters through the curtains, soft and warm, stirring me from the most peaceful sleep I’ve had in weeks. I stretch lazily, my muscles still deliciously sore, and reach out instinctively—but my hand meets an empty bed.

I sit up, my heart sinking slightly as my mind starts to race. Where is he? Did he leave? Did he change his mind?

I press a hand to my chest, willing myself to calm down. Maybe he just…

The door creaks open, and there he is. Asher.

He’s holding two iced coffees, a lazy grin spreading across his face as he sees me sitting there. “Good morning, sleepyhead.”

I blink, startled, and then can’t help but smile. “You left?”

“Just to grab these,” he says, handing me a cup. “Yours is exactly how you like it. Light ice, extra caramel, a splash of oat milk.”

I stare at the coffee, my chest tightening. “You…memorized my order?”

“Of course,” he says, sitting on the edge of the bed. “I pay attention, Sloane. I like to please you. And not just in bed.”

His words are so casual, so genuine, that they leave me speechless for a moment.

“You’re full of surprises,” I murmur, taking a sip of the coffee. It’s perfect.

He shrugs, his grin turning softer. “Just how I roll.”

But the questions in my mind don’t stop swirling. “Asher, what is this?” I ask, setting the coffee on the nightstand. “What are we doing? Where is this going?”

He takes my hands in his, his thumbs brushing over my knuckles. “Hey, calm down,” he says softly. “We’ve got all the time in the world. I’m not going anywhere. And neither are you.”

I bite my lip, my heart pounding as I search his face.

“Sloane,” he says, his voice low and serious, “I love you.”

The words hang between us, heavy and undeniable.

“You’re my hot nerd,” he adds, his grin returning. “I’ve never cared who knew. I’m just glad you don’t either.”

Tears prick at the corners of my eyes, and I let out a shaky laugh. “I love you too, Asher.”

The words feel terrifying and freeing all at once, and my mind flashes to Joe. With him, I always felt like I wasn’t enough—like I was just an option. His backup plan. The girl he settled for when nothing better came along.

“I always felt like I was the backup,” I admit, my voice trembling slightly. “With Joe. I didn’t realize how much it weighed on me until now.”

Asher’s expression softens, and he cups my face with one hand, his thumb brushing my cheek. “Do you feel that way with me?”

I meet his gaze, my chest tightening as I shake my head. “No. Definitely not.”

“Good,” he says, his grin widening. “Because you’ve always been my first string.”

I laugh, the tension in my chest easing, and lean forward to kiss him. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Guilty,” he says, pulling me closer.

I stand, stretching again. “I’m going to use the bathroom.”

As I step into the hallway, I almost bump into Joe. He freezes, his eyes wide as he takes me in.

“Sloane,” he says, his voice low and almost pleading. “Can we talk? Please. Just…one more chance. I messed up, okay? I know I did, but?—”

I cut him off with a laugh, shaking my head. “Joe, no.”

“Sloane, come on. I?—”

“Bye, Joe,” I say, walking past him without another glance.

When I get back to the room, Asher’s lounging against the pillows, his coffee in hand, looking entirely too pleased with himself.

“What’s so funny?” he asks as I climb back onto the bed.

“Just ran into Joe,” I say, smirking.

His eyebrows lift. “Oh yeah? What did he want?”

I lean down, kissing him softly. “Doesn’t matter. He’s ancient history.”

Asher grins, his hands sliding around my waist. “What do you want to do today?”

I smile, resting my forehead against his. “Anything. As long as it’s with you.”