Chapter 24
Chapter 24:
When I enter the kitchen, I stumble back at the intense sight of Sandra and Ethan gripping, pulling, and kissing each other’s brains out.
“Oh my God, guys!” I groan, my loud voice startling them out of their make-out trance. “Can’t you both do stuff like this in the privacy of your bedroom p>
Sandra adjusts her nightdress while Ethan runs a hand through his messy hair, both of their faces flushed deep red.
I shake my head and walk to the counter, grabbing a bottle of water. I unscrew the cap, take a long gulp, then close it again.
When I turn around, I see them leaving the kitchen, their fingers intertwined, their faces so close together as they murmur and giggle.
I wish I had what they have. Imagine being bold enough to mess around even in the kitchen—something I can’t even do with the guy I love a few rooms away.
My mind drifts back to the conversation I had with Asher yesterday. Back to the question I asked him.
Why did I even ask that stupid question about why he doesn’t have a girlfriend yet? What was I thinking? Was I foolish enough to want my heart broken? That question was completely dumb. I’ve known Asher long enough to understand I shouldn’t have asked it. To know that if he were ever to date someone, I’d be the first to know.
I let out a sigh, my chest tightening. Asher is everything I want, and I don’t know if I can handle seeing him with someone else.
But even thinking this is selfish of me—especially when I have Dominic’s marriage proposal hanging over my head like an empty mailbox waiting for a reply.
I push myself off the counter. After another gulp of water, I leave the kitchen and head back to my room.
When I walk in, I’m surprised—and admittedly relieved—to see Dominic already dressed. He walks over to me, standing by the door, and plants a light kiss on my lips.
“I need to do something in the car, babe. See you later p>
With that, he disappears from the room. I sigh and shut the door before slipping out of my nightdress.
I head into the bathroom and spend some time washing my hair and body, relieving myself—if only briefly—of the tension from thinking about Dominic’s proposal.
When I’m done, I step out of the bathroom. After applying my skincare routine and blow-drying my hair for a few minutes, I slip into a pair of blue denim jeans and a strapless black crop top, its fringes brushing above my belly button. I don’t feel like doing a full face of makeup, so I settle for a little powder and some lip gloss. Myhair is still damp, so I blow-dry it a bit more, lifting sections with my fingers. Within minutes, I finish, switch off the dryer, and smooth some lotion into my hair before lifting the brush to comb it.
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Just as I’m about to, a knock sounds at the door. I set the brush down on the vanity table and open it.
My heart nearly melts when my eyes land on Asher. My gaze trails down his perfectly athletic frame, his tight t-shirt leaving nothing to the imagination as it clings to his abs and toned biceps. I swallow hard, forcing my wandering thoughts back into place before I lose my mind.
“Hey,” I mutter. “Good morning p>
“Good morning,” he replies. “I saw Dominic downstairs and thought I’d check in on you after last night. You’re okay, right p>
I nod, wishing he said.
“Alright then,” he says, pulling me out of my maddening craving for him. “I’ll leave you to win your battle with your hair. See you downstairs later p>
I chuckle at his joke, and he winks at me before turning to walk back to his room. That wink tugs at every restraint I have, and only God knows how hard I’m trying not to run to him, grab his shirt, and kiss him.
Breathe, Isla. Breathe.