The noise around them faded as Asher led Wendy to a park bench. Everything happened so fast—before she could process it, her feet left the ground.
The bench was spacious enough for three adults, but instead of sitting side by side, Asher pulled Wendy onto his lap.Settled firmly on his thighs, held tightly in his arms, pressed against his warm chest, Wendy felt her heart grow tender, as if filling with liquid emotion.“You bad guy! Don’t hold me—let me down!”
In the swaying night, her tone unintentionally turned petulant.“Don’t move.”
A low growl sounded in her ear, and suddenly a rough hand gripped her chin, forcing Wendy to look at Asher.Their eyes met.Asher’s thumb stroked the soft skin of her cheek. “This afternoon, when you knocked on my door, I shouldn’t have let you leave. I should’ve pulled you into my room and kissed you hard.”
Wendy&rsq
The noise around them faded as Asher led Wendy to a park bench. Everything happened so fast—before she could process it, her feet left the ground.The bench was spacious enough for three adults, but instead of sitting side by side, Asher pulled Wendy onto his lap.Settled firmly on his thighs, held tightly in his arms, pressed against his warm chest, Wendy felt her heart grow tender, as if filling with liquid emotion.“Youbad guy! Don’t hold me—let me down!”In the swaying night, her tone unintentionally turned petulant.“Don’t move.”A low growl sounded in her ear, and suddenly a rough hand gripped her chin, forcing Wendy to look at Asher.Their eyes met.Asher’s thumb stroked the soft skin of her cheek. “This afternoon, when you knocked on my door, I shouldn’t have let you leave. I should’ve pulled you into my room and kissed you hard.”Wendy&rsq
Waiting at the crosswalk for the traffic light to change, Wendy glanced at the man beside her. He wasn’t wearing a baseball cap, and his hands were tucked coolly into his pockets. She couldn’t tell if he thought the chances of being recognized here were lower than in D City or if he simply didn’t care.Probably the latter. With his handsome but cold face, even if passersby recognized him, they wouldn’t dare approach him.Wendy: “If you don’t want to browse, you can go back first. I don’t necessarily need to be with you.”Asher didn’t respond, just looked at her. Noticing something, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer to him.Just moments before, behind Wendy was a family with young children browsing the market. The mother was managing a stroller while talking to her husband, who was holding a crying little boy. The child’s cries kept distracting the parents.During
Originally planning to go to the park’s market, Wendy wore a red sweater coat with a dark brown plaid skirt and a small crossbody square bag.Completely unprepared, they ended up at the ice rink instead. She lost her balance and fell several times. Although it hurt, it was fortunate that it was still afternoon, and the rink’s surface was frozen hard. If it had been later in the evening when the ice softened, her skirt would have been completely soaked after a few falls.Holding onto the railing and steadying herself on the ice, Wendy looked at Asher.After picking her up and helping her stand, he hadn’t left. Instead, he stood firmly in front of her, his face set in a cold expression as he waited for her response.The ice rink was spacious with a high ceiling. Although it was an enclosed space, the air circulated well. Yet, because of Asher’s words, Wendy felt as though she couldn’t breathe for a few seconds.She had i
She pointed casually. "The right one, I guess."Asher carried his luggage into the left room....The room was spacious, clean, and neatly organized, with a bright floor-to-ceiling window. Lifting the white sheer curtains, Wendy saw a stunning view of the entire city.Tomorrow was Thanksgiving, and the festive atmosphere was already palpable. Leaning against the window, Wendy looked out. Not far from the hotel, the street was being prepared for the next day’s Thanksgiving parade.Thanksgiving was to Americans what Spring Festival was to her—the most important holiday. Tomorrow’s parade was sure to be spectacular and fun.She really wanted to go!Wendy glanced toward the door but decided against asking him.Looking back at the park beside the parade route, she saw many colorful large umbrellas set up. Upon closer inspection, they were stalls crowded together, bustling with activity.It looked like a market.She couldn’t hold back anymore.Wendy opened the door, walked to Asher’s room,
This Uncle Peter's Steakhouse was filled with childhood memories for Simone.In high spirits, Simone told Sam: "During holidays, my dad would always bring our whole family here for steak. So coming here now feels especially relaxing."The steak was delicious, of course, but the bonus from past memories was even greater."By the way," Simone turned to Asher, "after lunch, we'll take you to the hotel first.""Hotel? But I thought..." Wendy put down her knife and fork, looking up in confusion.Weren't they supposed to stay at Simone's house?Simone was one of two sisters, and the house layout was very similar to their current home—four bedrooms, just enough for them and Simone's parents."My sister came back with her kids unexpectedly—she just called me from the car," Simone explained. "So there aren't enough rooms. You and Asher will have to stay at a hotel.""Me and Asher?!" Wendy's eyes widened as she glanced at the man beside her, who remained perfectly calm.What had happened while
Both their eyes were red and swollen. Who would have thought they still had so many tears left to cry? Right there in the first-floor lobby of the dormitory—a place bustling with people on a Sunday afternoon—two girls clung to each other, crying without caring about their image.After a long while, when both had calmed down a bit, Gina followed Wendy back to her dorm room.Inside the room, Wendy closed the door and spoke nervously, "I have to confess something. It might... be a bit shocking...""Are you trying to tell me that mysterious person is actually Asher?"Wendy froze, her face instantly flushing bright red. "How did you know?!""Simple." Gina, tear stains still on her face, couldn't help but smile proudly. "Once I knew you and Asher were acquainted, it was easy to guess. His girlfriend has the same birthday as you, you always manage to get those hard-to-get tickets, and your jersey... Actually, the hard part wasn't figuring out that you and Asher are dating—the hard part was r