Page 48 of His Arranged Plus-Size Mate

“So, shall we dance?”

He offered his hand. I was tempted to say no just like before, but this was Asher. And for once, maybe I just enjoyed myself.

I took his hand, and Asher pulled me to the dance floor. He tugged me close, his hand resting on my lower back while hisother hand held my hand. He twirled us, his face close to mine. “You look beautiful.”

I smiled. “You don’t look half bad yourself.”

He chuckled, pulling me closer. I sank into his touch, finding myself happy.

Chapter 17 - Asher

I found myself intoxicated with Hazel. She was easy to joke with, and she joked back. She had a wicked sense of humor, and the more we talked, the more we enjoyed the same things. Over the next couple of days, I found myself drawn to her, even seeking her out as my little ray of sunshine for the day.

I woke up to find Hazel in the living room, staring at the pictures. She was staring at them intently as she held a glass of orange juice. She stirred her drink as she moved, looking from one photo to the next.

“Morning, Wifey,” I teased as I walked into the kitchen to pour myself a cup of coffee. She looked away from the pictures and smirked at me. “Morning, Hubby.”

“What are you looking at?”

“Your photos.” She waved a hand at them. “You have so many of them, and they are all at different locations. You must have been all over the world.”

“I have.” I took a seat at the island. “I backpacked all over Asia and Europe. I spent a month in China and some time in Russia. I’ve honestly lost track of how many places I’ve been, so it’s a good thing I have photos.”

“You’ve had such a huge life.”

I watched sadness flicker in her face.

“You have too.”

She shook her head. “My trips are to the bank or work. Nothing like this.”

“Well, those are important,” I tease.

She smirked. “You know what I mean. You’ve really explored. You’ve been everywhere, and you’ve met so many people.”

“I like visiting new places. I like the culture and the quiet.”

She clicked her tongue. “I always figured it would be busy and confusing going somewhere new. Not knowing anything.”

“It is,” I admit. “I research before I go, so I know at least a little something when I’m there. I do meet a lot of people, but at the end of the day, when everyone is going to bed, I’m left alone. It’s peaceful. It’s beautiful to take it all in.”

She softly smiled. “That sounds nice.”

“I can take you next time I go. It’s been a while since I’ve been out. I have plenty of vacation time built up.”

She blushed. “You don’t have to offer that, Asher. I mean, when this is all figured out, we don’t really have to stay married anymore. We can go our separate ways.”

My heart ached at her words, knowing I wasn’t sure I wanted that. It felt weird to think that this wouldn’t continue, that she wouldn’t always stay my wife after this was over.”

“That doesn’t mean I can’t take you as a friend. We can still be friends when this is all said and done.”

Because that’s what we were right, friends? But did I want us to be friends after this? Did I want this to end?

She took a sip of her orange juice. “Are we friends? Is that how you would describe me?”

“Maybe.”

She moved closer, taking a seat next to me. “You’ve fucked your friends?”