When Darkness Ends (Moments in Boston #3) - Marni Mann Page 0,23

of the most beautiful things that’s ever happened to me.”

I wanted to pull her against me and wrap my arms around her, but she was on the other side of the table, so I squeezed her fingers instead. “I won’t let you lose sight of your dreams, I promise you.”

“You’d better not.”

I lifted my fork, dunking it into the peanut butter frosting, and I reached across the table, wiping it on the tip of her nose.

“Ashe!” She laughed.

That was the only sound I ever wanted to hear.

“Let’s get out of here. Are you ready?”

She scraped it off with her finger and stuck the sugary bite into her mouth. “Yes.”

Sixteen

Before

Pearl

The last time I had been at Ashe’s apartment, I’d noticed hints of details. A sports-related something on the wall and a worn couch that was extremely comfy. Now, as I entered again, I made sure to memorize each piece that made up his home. The wall art, I learned, were signed jerseys that were framed, same with the helmets that were in glass boxes above the TV. The couch was navy and corduroy, pillows in the corners, dented from where heads had been lying.

He took me into the kitchen, dropping off the leftover cake, and I noticed the dishes in the sink and the open silverware drawer. The pantry door was ajar, the shelves full of bagged chips and boxes of macaroni and cheese. There was a basket of dirty clothes on the side of the living room and a pizza box sitting on top of the trash bin.

And all of it looked so perfect to me.

“Are you hungry?”

I laughed, pushing my back against the counter. “You’re kidding, right?” I played with the container of cake, the movement sending me a whiff of the sweetness inside. “I don’t think I’ll be hungry for days.”

He grabbed a glass from the cupboard next to me and brushed his fingers across my chin—a quiet, subtle move but one that sent goose bumps down my back. Then, he filled the glass with water, offering me some, which I declined, before he took a long drink.

How do you have this effect on me so quickly?

Why is it so hard to breathe when your eyes are on me?

Questions filled my brain.

So did his kindness, gentleness, sincerity—all unlike anything I’d ever felt. They were qualities that came so natural to him, like he wasn’t trying at all—this was just who he was.

“Are you ready for a nap?” When I nodded, he added, “You know the way,” and he pointed at his door but didn’t move. “I’ll take the couch.”

I briefly remembered his big, wonderful bed that had lots of pillows, unlike mine at home. “No, Ashe …” I tried to breathe again and couldn’t as I said, “I want you to join me.”

“You’re sure about that?” He stood close, his hand coming to my face again, holding me steady.

I wondered if he could feel me trembling, if he could hear my heart pounding, if he could smell the sweat that was starting to bead over my skin.

Once he received my answer, his fingers found mine, and he led me to his bed. As I sat on his cozy mattress, it took me a moment to realize I hadn’t voiced that answer. He had just seen it in me and known.

I’d watched that happen in movies. I’d read about it in books. I’d acted it out onstage.

But it was never something I had experienced, and I’d never thought I would.

Yet here was a glimpse.

And I wanted more.

I took off my shoes and jacket, and I rested my head on the pillow. As Ashe crawled onto the other side, he pulled the blanket over us.

“Wow, this is comfy,” I groaned, every part of me sinking into fluff.

I sensed his eyes on me as I wiggled, testing to see if each spot felt the same. It did, and it was heavenly. I wasn’t sure I’d ever want to leave.

“You’re adorable.”

I turned to my side to look at him, tucking the pillow under my cheek.

“That smile …” He held the other part of my face, his thumb tracing my bottom lip. “It’s beautiful to see.” His fingers stayed there for a moment more, and then he reached for his nightstand. “What time should I set the alarm for?”

I did some quick math in my head and responded, and he turned toward me again.

“What are you up to tonight?”

His handsomeness pressed into the pillow in almost the same position as me. “I have