Chapter 17
“No, Asher. I’m not leaving. I give you my word.”
But my promise did little to persuade him. His knuckles turned white, and he kept his gaze stubbornly on the floor.
Did he remember the last time we’d said goodbye, too? How we’d clung to each other, refusing to let go until my father had physically pried me out of Asher’s arms and forced me to leave?
He had to know this time was different.
I stepped closer to him, grabbed him lightly by the elbows, and slid my hands down his arms until they reached his fists. I caressed his hands and wiggled my index fingers until he released his tight grip just enough to let them in.
He hung his head, and I leaned my cheek against his, raising my mouth so I could whisper in his ear.
“I came back to reconnect with you, Asher. You left a big hole in my life, and…I need my friend back. I need you back.”
I could tell he listened; his body wasn’t as rigid as before, and he rubbed his stubbly cheek softly against my bearded one.