Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 54886 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54886 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Today, I tried not to notice how that happened to other families at the hill. Watching them pulled at something in my chest. Something that hurt.
But I kept a smile firmly in place. I was determined to make this a nice evening for AJ the way I had planned.
Back at home, I made hot chocolate, and AJ had a bath to warm up. He watched a cartoon while I showered fast and got into a pair of fuzzy pants and a warm sweatshirt. Together, we made homemade pizza, laughing at our oddly shaped pies and putting on our favorite toppings. I turned on the tree lights, and he chose a movie and helped me carry our plates and drinks to the sofa. We snuggled under the blankets and watched his chosen show while we ate the pizza and sipped ginger ale from the two champagne flutes I’d bought at a garage sale years before. I rarely let him have pop, but tonight was a treat, and he loved the fancy glasses.
He made it through to the end, and I brought out a plate of cookies left from the bounty Asher had brought on Christmas. AJ ate a cookie, snuggled into my side. He talked about going back to school, seeing his friends, only mentioning Asher once. I turned on a New Year’s Eve show, but he was bored with it, so I told him to pick another movie and we’d watch it after I tidied up the kitchen. But when I got back, he was sound asleep on the sofa, wrapped in a blanket, little cookie crumbs on his chin. I lifted and carried him to his room, placing him on the bed. It was only seven, and I knew he’d be up early the next day, but he was tired so I decided to let him sleep.
Back in the living room, I logged on and clocked a couple of hours, finding the time went by fast as the customer service line was steady. I stopped around ten and poured myself a glass of wine, putting the TV back on but not paying much attention to it, the background noise helping dispel the quiet of the apartment.
I wondered where Asher was now. Had he driven back to his sister’s? Was he at home? I swallowed down the lump in my throat as I wondered if he’d decided to go out with someone else for the night. If he would be kissing another woman at midnight.
I was shocked at the tears that welled in my eyes at the thought of it.
I wiped at my eyes and took a sip of wine, reaching for my book and opening it, determined to put all other thoughts out of my head.
A short while later, there was a soft knock on my door. I assumed it was a neighbor coming to wish me a Happy New Year or the super’s wife had come to check on us. She did that on occasion, which was kind.
I was shocked when I opened the door to find Asher there. He filled the doorframe, his broad shoulders straight. His overcoat had a dusting of snow on it, and a few flakes glistened on his head.
“Asher.”
He nodded, looking determined. “Rosie.”
“I assumed you went back to Suzy’s.”
“No. I stayed here. I know you told me to leave, but I was hoping you would allow me to come in.”
“Why?” I asked.
“To talk.”
I paused, his next words surprising me.
“Please, Rosie. Let me in. Give me a chance and hear me out.”
I couldn’t ignore the plea in his voice.
I stepped back. “Come in.”
CHAPTER TEN
ROSIE
He stepped in and shed his coat, hanging it in the closet. He toed off his boots and stopped, looking uncertain.
“Do you want some coffee? Or a drink?”
He glanced at the sofa, seeing the champagne glasses. He looked at me, puzzled.
“Ginger ale New Year’s celebration with AJ. He had too much sledding again today and passed out a couple of hours ago.”
His eyebrows drew down, and worry crossed his face. “You didn’t—”
I stopped his question. “I watched today.”
He nodded, looking relieved. “A drink would be welcome.”
I waved at the kitchen. “You know where your scotch is.”
He had brought a bottle with him, plus an expensive liqueur for me to drink, before Christmas. Some of each was left in the bottles.
“I’m going to check on AJ.”
In his room, I looked down at my son. He was sleeping, having kicked off the blanket he’d been wrapped in, and was now on the bottom of his bed. I carefully moved him and tucked him back in, knowing I’d do this again later. I brushed back the hair on his forehead, smiling as it flopped back into place. He needed a haircut. I’d give him a trim tomorrow. I bent and kissed his forehead, inhaling. He smelled of bubble bath and shampoo. I straightened, thinking how fast he was growing. Soon, he wouldn’t fit in this single bed. Or this room. I shook my head to clear my thoughts. Hopefully by then I would be in a better place financially. I would have a better-paying job and find a larger place for us to live. One step at a time, I reminded myself, the way I had since finding out I was pregnant.