Page 78 of Proposal Play
I return to the table, grab my napkin, and fold the hell out of it, setting it down with panache. “Asher calls them swans, but really, he’s just blinded by his love for me. They’re fans,” I say, patting his shoulder. “Next stop—swans.”
Asher stares at the napkin in awe, lips parted. “Youhave many talents,” he says, his voice low. “You can fold the towels anytime.”
I study the napkin a beat longer. It’s not a bad fan at all. I can’t believe I pulled that off.
Marcus raises his glass. “Impressive,” he says with an approving nod. “You’re full of surprises, Maeve.”
“Thank you,” I say, relaxing into the compliment, proud of my improv skills.
Asher leans in and drops a kiss on my cheek, his lips lingering for just a second longer than necessary. Under the table, his hand finds mine, giving it a light squeeze. It’s subtle, but the warmth of the gesture feels like reassurance—maybe even something more.
And I can’t wait to tell Everly that Asher said “folds” and it wasn’t filthy.
When dinner is over, I’m relieved Asher and I pulled that off. We head outside with the rest of the board, and I turn to Asher, smile politely at the group, and say, “Well, I should head out. The next bus comes in a few minutes.”
The words have barely left my mouth when I catch the strange looks from Lydia, Terrence, and Marcus. Lydia’s brow furrows slightly, and Terrence’s booming laugh is replaced with a confused blink. Marcus tilts his head, his curiosity almost palpable.
“Catch the bus?” Lydia asks, as if the idea is completely foreign.
I freeze.Oh no. They think we live together.As married couples do. My stomach flips in panic.
Before I can sputter out an awkward explanation, Asher smoothly steps in. “Honey,” he says with a grin, sliding his arm around my waist. “You’re still getting used to living with me. It’s adorable.”
He loops an arm around my waist, says goodbye, then steers me toward his car, opening the passenger door like a perfect gentleman. “I was going to drive you home anyway.”
“I’m sorry,” I say.
He turns to me. “Don’t be. You were amazing. You saved me with that swan fan.”
“And you saved me with the ride,” I say.
“We saved each other,” he says, then backs up and cruises toward my home in Hayes Valley, and the whole time I’m wondering what it would be like if we were really going to his place.
27
A BIG COMPLICATION
Asher
It’s weird pulling up to her apartment now. Weird because I want to walk her upstairs. Weird because I want to take her home. Weird, too, because we’re lying.
I’m supposed to be driving her toourhome. Not her little apartment.
Since there are no parking spots out front, I pull down a tiny side street, past a park that’s closed at night, then cut the engine.
But I don’t make a move to go. I should. “I think we pulled it off,” I say.
“Thanks to me! For a while there I thought you were tanking us with your swan comment,” she says.
I’m still impressed. “How did you pull that off?”
“YouTube,honey,” she says, using a term of endearment. I don’t mind it at all.
“Very impressive,honey. Too bad Eleanor didn’t see us.She didn’t even see that photo I posted the other day with the bridge behind us,” I point out.
“If a hockey player posts a kissing photo online and no one sees it, did the kiss even exist?” she asks, going all faux philosophical.
“Good question,” I say.