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The last time he’d seen her she was in his shirt and sweatpants, her face makeup free and hair messy.
Today was different.
Today she was full-blown popstar gorgeous.
In high waisted black dress pants with a dark teal fitted V-neck t-shirt that dipped just a fraction too low. Her black hair was swept up into a twist in the back, showing off the slope of her neck. Her amber gold eyes were lined in black, making them glow. Three silver necklaces adorned her in varying lengths. Two had pendants he couldn’t see in detail, and one was a plain thick chain.
He bet that if he were a more devoted fan he’d know more about the necklaces. He made a mental note to look it up later.
What he did know about the woman standing before him was that her eyes got soft when she talked about her family. And that she threw up when her emotions got the better of her.
And he knew that she was funny and intelligent and kind. Probably the most gifted artist of their time. Definitely the most gifted he’d ever met.
And she was twenty-three with an entire life ahead of her that didn’t include him—the nearly thirty-year-old washed up wannabe who never got to be.
Wow. Was he feeling sorry enough for himself?
He swallowed and finally met her eyes. It was like looking into the sun.
“Ace of Spades,” she said with a half-smile. Her eyes flicked up and down his person and his skin prickled with awareness. “It’s good to see you again.”
He nodded and tucked his hands in his pockets, changed his mind and crossed his arms over his chest. No, that seemed too defensive. Back in the pockets.
“What’s up?” he said going for aloof and casual, but it came out high and squeaky.
Her lips trembled with her withheld laugh.
“Are you okay?” Nikki asked from her seat on the couch.
He lifted his eyebrows and turned to his bestie. “I’m great. How areyoufeeling?” he asked.
Nikki eyed him suspiciously. If anyone in the world was going to be able to read his mind, it would be her.
The question was, would she betray him?
And then baby Amber let out a howl that could break windows.
Thank God for the baby.
Nikki moved to get up, but Asa was already around the front of the bassinet.
And every single ounce of nervous energy left his body as he gazed down at the loudest, most beautiful girl in the world.
He picked up the burp cloth on the edge of the bassinet and then scooped the tiny screaming bundle into his arms.
“Oh, listen to those healthy lungs,” he said softly. “So loud. You’re gonna change the world with a voice like that.”
Amber’s cries lessened and lessened, her red face staring up at Asa’s. Her little bottom lip jutted out and tears leaked from the sides of her eyes.
He’d never thought about having children. Babies hadn’t been on his radar in any capacity. But babies were amazing.
“I don’t know how you do that,” Nikki muttered. “It’s like the moment you two laid eyes on one another, you became besties. I think she prefers you over me.”
Asa snorted. “Shut up with that nonsense. Our souls are just very old friends, aren’t they?” he cooed to Amber. Her eyes zeroed in on him for a brief second and he could swear she understood him.
Within a week he realized he’d march into battle for this child. He’d die for this child. She had wiggled her way into his soul and he was an absolute goner.
He placed Amber on his chest, her little head resting just below his chin. He discarded the burp cloth knowing she’d more than likely spit up on his Motörhead t-shirt, but he didn’t care. It wasn’t anything he hadn’t done himself. He hummed a tune deep in his chest and started a hip sway that would make his nonna proud. “Does she need to be changed?” he asked softly.
