25. Winter

I'd never beento a boyfriend's house for dinner before. I was nervous. Of course, Asher wasn't my real boyfriend, and I had no business coming here and involving myself with his mother, except to mess with him. I'd initially agreed to come because of how reluctant he'd been to invite me. Just one more way to annoy him.

Now, though, clutching flowers, chocolates, a gift bag of hand care products, and a bottle of wine, I was having second thoughts. Sure, I'd come to mess with Asher, but what if his mom hated me? What if she was mean to me? I fought the urge to turn and run away.

I'd rung the bell and waited only a few seconds before the door opened. Asher's big body stepped out and shut the front door behind him, forcing me back a little on the porch.

"Um, I think you're supposed to let people into the house when you answer the door, not join them outside," I nervously laughed.

He looked nice. He was wearing a black button-down, sleeves rolled to the elbows, and black jeans. I was immediately glad I'd worn a dress. I had a vague idea that Asher's mom might be religious, and Sunday might be her dressing-up-for-church-and-seeing-family kind of day. It looked like I was right.

He folded his arms over his chest. "Why did you come, Ice Queen? Two boring family meals in a row seems excessive."

I wet my lips. "You invited me," I reminded him.

"Yes, but like I've said before, my mom is off-limits."

"I'm not going to attack her," I exclaimed.

I just wanted to see where you grew up and meet your mom, the most important woman in your life. I want to see what kind of single mom could raise a son like you. I wanted to be closer to you, just for a second.

I didn't say any of that, however. Instead, I shifted from heel to heel and finally raised my hand.

"I brought gifts and I'm hungry…Can I come in?"

He stepped back and let me past him.

"Shoes off," he commanded firmly, then watched me as I took off my strappy heels.

I followed him nervously through the house to the kitchen. The food smelled amazing, and there was the faint hubbub of people talking and laughing, relaxed and happy.

It felt like a home you see in movies. One I'd never been part of.

We went into the kitchen. Beckett was sitting at the kitchen table, peeling carrots, and Eve was perched on his knee. Asher's mom was at the sink. She turned when I came in, and her dark eyes looked me up and down, measuring my worth. There was no way she'd find me good enough for her son. No way. I just hoped she wouldn't be actively mean.

She dried her hands and came over to me.

"Mom, this is Winter. Winter, my mom, Melly."

I stuck out a hand to her, and she surprised me by laughing at it.

"We don't shake hands in this house, mija, we kiss," she said and leaned in, pressing a kiss on each cheek and hugging me for a moment.

She was soft, and warm, maternal in a way I had no experience with. I melted against her for that short second of comfort. Wow, that hug was the good stuff.

She pulled back and smiled up at me. She was so small. How she'd ever produced someone huge and imposing like Asher was a mystery.

"?Que bonita! I bet you break all the boys' hearts with those eyes," she exclaimed, patting my cheek.

"Just mine, Mama." Asher put an arm around my shoulders and brought me into his side. It was a surprisingly possessive move, but then, if his mom thought we were dating, he'd have to act like it.

She laughed. "Don't be jealous. If such a woman chooses you, calling her beautiful is a compliment to you both. Her because she's so stunning, and you, because she chose you."

She chose you. She reminded me of my mom in that moment. What was it with older women and this idea of choice? I had a feeling the universe had been trying to tell me something lately, and I was too dumb to figure it out.

"Can I help with anything? I brought these. Thank you so much for having me." I smiled politely. Manners and etiquette were my safe place around adults. Walls I could put up that provided structure and safety.

Melly took the flowers, exclaiming over the arrangement, while Asher took the rest.

"Are you trying to show me up at your first family dinner, DeLaurie?" Beckett demanded.

I sat beside him and reached for the bowl of potatoes and the spare peeler. "Sorry, Anderson. I guess some of us were just raised differently."

"Beckett? Bring me the carrots," Melly called to him.

He immediately rose. "Yes, Melly."

I watched him, open-mouthed. "I had no idea Anderson could be so…biddable."

Eve giggled. "He's on his best behavior. He wants Mom to adopt him, so he has to be."

I raised an eyebrow at Beckett when he returned.

"I don't need to be adopted…I just need to be her favorite son once we get married." He glanced at Asher. "No offense, but your days are numbered."

Asher just nodded. "Sure, good luck to you."

"I can't believe you guys are all going to be family," I mused.

I was peeling potatoes about as well as someone who had never done it before could. Without speaking, Asher reached over and took the peeler out of my hand and peeled the rest of the potatoes.

"Well, you never know, maybe someone will be saying that about you, too, one day," Eve teased me with a grin. She looked between me and Asher. "I feel it's my duty to tell you that my brother has never had a serious girlfriend before and he's never, ever brought anyone home to meet my mom."

"Shut it," Asher warned his twin.

She stuck her tongue out at him. "Too late."

Melly wandered toward us, a pan of hot, delicious-smelling pastries on a baking tray. "Someone has to taste to see how they turned out. Not you, Beckett. Winter, would you like to do the honors?"

"They have no cinnamon, in case you wanted to try them," he tossed at me after a moment, his eyes fixing on the peeler and the potato in his hand. That was surprisingly gentlemanly of him. I was surprised that he remembered my allergy at all.

"Sure, I'd love to," I took one from the tray and bit into it. Flavor exploded in my mouth. Apple spiced with ginger. I covered my mouth with my hand so I could talk.

"It's so good!"

Melly beamed. "Tell Asher, he made the sweet filling."

I turned to him in surprise, but he wasn't looking at me. Eve piped up just then, her voice full of excitement.

"Wait until you see the albums my mom has of Asher when he was little. He went through a year-long superhero phase where he insisted on wearing his tighty-whities on top of his pants. He was ten years old."

I couldn't stop myself from laughing. Asher gave Eve his most scathing glare, and Beckett just laughed.

"Oh, Ash. Sound like you're outnumbered tonight. I, for one, can't wait to see those photos."

Dinner was one I'd never forget. Everyone talked too much, too loudly. There were no awkward lulls in the conversation or phone calls that had to be taken in the hall. The food was delicious and homemade, so good nothing but pure love could have created it.

Melly was the graceful, benevolent deity reigning over her kingdom, and the rest of us were there to worship.

She was amazing. She was magnetic in the same way as Asher. Funny and charismatic, and warm in a way that made your bones feel cozy. Like her hug, her attention on comforted me in a way I'd never felt before.

The icing on the cake was seeing Asher around his mother. For all his knife-carrying, vicious hockey-stick wielding, and depraved threats, he was, clearly, a very good son. He doted on her, spoiled her, and did everything for her. This was where that smoothness came from. The gentlemanliness and the protectiveness. If someone were to try and break in right now, Asher would be first through the door, ready to fight them off. He valued his family above all else. It was old-fashioned and rare, and I didn't really know how to process it. It was the polar opposite of everything I'd ever seen or been taught, and it made my lonely childhood even sadder.

Even watching Asher and Eve brought on jealousy. Would my life have been dramatically different if I'd had a sibling to love and confide in? Maybe.

After dinner, Beckett and Asher disappeared to fix a leaking showerhead.

Eve and I cleared the table while she chatted about her Economics class.

"You know, I saw Selena the other day," she surprised me by saying.

"You did? Where?"

"She was in the cafeteria in Addams Hall." Eve loaded the dishwasher as I rinsed off the plates. "Is she doing okay?"

"I-I don't know. Why do you ask?"

"She looked terrible. Upset, or sad or something, I don't know. Weirdest of all, she came over to me and asked to sit with me. Then, she apologized about that frat party and the laxative that wasn't a laxative, or whatever it was. Has she had a traumatic brain injury I didn't know about or…?"

I shook my head, anxiety chasing through me. "I know she felt bad about the whole thing. She's not great at admitting she's wrong or apologizing. But she really regrets it."

Eve nodded. "Yeah, I got that vibe. Call her, maybe. She didn't look good, and I think you might be all she has."

Guilt hit me. I knew Selena didn't make friends easily, and she certainly hadn't improved with her dad's death and the weight of their family situation and her sister's illness on her shoulders. I should have checked to make sure she was really at home. I should have been a better friend.

I let out a long breath. "You're right. I will."

"Don't feel bad. Sometimes people push everyone away, especially the ones who know them best."

I wondered if she was thinking about Beckett when she'd said that. Their relationship had started out famously rocky.

A loud bang sounded from the floor above, and we both jumped.

"Damn. I should go and check on dumb and dumber up there. Neither of them knows a damn thing about plumbing. They'll probably flood the place. Can you finish here?"

"I'll help her, mija," Melly said from behind us.

She came into the room and patted Eve's arm as she walked past. Her kind, maternal touches were like generously spread breadcrumbs falling from her fingers, and I was a starving pigeon, trying to get closer to the source of abundant food.

"So, Winter. Asher tells me you two are working things out, whatever that means," she started.

Crap. I was suddenly nervous to be alone with her. Was she going to pump me for information? I had no idea how Asher wanted me to handle his mother.

"Yeah, I guess," I answered noncommittally.

"He's got a lot riding on this year, with hockey and getting his grades on track after transferring."

Melly cleaned the sink while I wiped down the table.

"I know. He's doing so well already, though. He'll be back on top soon, I can tell."

Melly nodded. "You sound as confident in him as I am. That's nice to hear. He needs a cheerleader in his corner."

I blinked at her, wondering if she meant an actual cheerleader or what.

"And for the right woman, he'll be the rock at your back, the unyielding support to reach whatever dreams you might have. He doesn't come from much, as you can see." She gestured around her small, humble kitchen. "But he knows what matters in life."

"He comes from a lot," I blurted, suddenly desperate for this all-knowing, benevolent maternal figure to understand the true richness of her home and family. "I mean, what all of you have here…the life you gave your children — it's a lot."

I felt her still. She was staring at the side of my face, and I didn't dare face her directly.

"It's beautiful and rare. Special."

Her hand fell on my arm. I looked down at her kind face.

"I'm going to admit something. I was worried when I heard Asher was dating someone from such a different background than him, but I'm not worried anymore." Melly nodded to herself. "Growing up, Asher was always responsible, protective, taking the world on his shoulders…So serious, even as a little boy. He has fun with you. I can see it a mile away. He needs that. He deserves it."

Yeah, he was responsible alright, for me losing my mind. Melly must have seen my cynical expression, because she chuckled.

"He might not act like it all the time, but believe me, you won't meet a more responsible boy than him. Odd, considering who he came from—" she bit off.

I tensed. Was she going to share something about Asher's dad? I was well aware of the standstill we'd come to in the investigation. Maybe this was a chance to shake something loose.

"Do you keep in touch with Asher and Eve's dad?" I wondered and lowered myself into a seat to wait for Eve to reappear. I really wanted to keep this conversation going.

Melly shook her head. "Take it from me, an irresponsible man isn't worth a damn thing. Knowing Brett, he's no doubt off living the careless life he loved."

"Brett," I repeated, freaking out inside. I had a first name. "You met him in Hade Harbor?"

Melly nodded and cast a quick glance toward the doorway, making sure we were still alone. "I don't know why I'm thinking about that man tonight. Asher brought him up again…he hasn't done that in a while." She let out a long sigh. "I'd thought we were done with that." She eyed me. "Has he talked to you about wanting to find him?"

I had a split second to decide what to say. I settled for shaking my head. "He wants to find him?" I prompted.

She sat opposite me at the kitchen table. "Yes. Despite being a perfectly wonderful man without his influence. It's biological, I guess. Half of him is a stranger…he wants to know where he came from. Blood calling to know its history."

Melly was quiet, lost in thought. Clearly, her son's refusal to give up asking about his dad was a source of pain for her. No wonder he didn't like asking her about it.

"He got everything he needed from that man. Smarts and strength…that damn fondness of riding." Melly snorted.

"Riding?" I repeated. "Like motorcycles?"

She shook her head. "No, not motorcycles — do you want to go and check on them? I forgot ice-cream for desert. I'll just pop out for it."

I got up. "Of course, no problem."

Brett.I had a starting point.