oment before realizin

ords, she asked,

blind date today. The total came to twenty dollars. Since t

? Verena had never m

s as frivolous, but he was

for his banking details so s

o stay connected wi

another message. "I want cash. Same place we met

und him r

letely lost

nts later. After calming down, she sent a much shorter mes

re a single cold reply popp

ker dragged Verena out once again

ad already met thr

a math t

obstetrician an

ivorced businessm

ed men, while others were plain-lookin

disappointing than

al had finally ended, the matchma

day was a twenty-five-year-

nd repeatedly compl

litely found a rea

just didn't have the energy or

tion surprisingly well. With a smile, he said, "Eve

back and nodde

take care of some things. We'll be passing by your

you." With the weather so cold,

erena spotted a black SUV

ed, and a cigarette between his fingers. Dressed en

took away some of his ruggedness and made his

n slowly raised his eyes. Through the thin ve

eir eyes met,

the unbelievab

apped an arm around Asher's shoulder. "Since we're all headed in

is lazy gaze moved over

akeup today, yet her skin

er hair was pinned up and some loose strands fram

were still cold and dis

ring of smoke, one eyebrow lifting sl

ence, indeed," Ver

sher deliberately paused before adding, "So

even colder. "What can I do? I'm not getting a

s as he looked at her. A faint, teasing

her?" Liam's eyes lit up at

pped his hands into his pockets, and shameless

Liam slapped his hand excitedly. "Then that mea

y friends. They were b

the ride. Looking at Asher, she said, "I won'

wrinkled ten-dollar bill, and placed it on th

She took out another ten-dollar bill, placed it beside the first one o

dollars on the hood and then l

smile touched his

chievous grin. "With your personality, there's no way you would willingly go

examined them. His dark eyes reveal

, you're normally generous with money. Why are you chasing

ce again looked in the direc

ng to win

.

Lisette's temper. Eventually, Verena

ately brightened. "Vera, if you're moving, then move downtown! People around her

o argue, Verena

lf in a long down coat and headed do

eekend, the bus st

e chaotic than rush ho

backs and huge bags hanging from their hands. Standing amon

chaotic. The moment the doors opened, everyone surg

a woman behind her grabbed the back of

She lost her balanc

scream, an arm wrapped

ground and her back pressed tigh

past her ear. "Be ca

footing and turned around. She found h

ck once again, wearing the sam

away from him and

" Asher answ

ard, Verena looked

her's eyes had drifted to

pulled out a cigarette. As he flicked his lighter, the flam

nswered without

ing smoke, Asher looked at

I'll wait for

d the ash off his cigarette. "Miss Stewart,

t he meant, he walked over and eff

gel filled her nose as she was h

king up at his sharp

pened the passenger door an

on bobblehead sat on the dashboard, creating a str

obvious irritation. "What e

met her eyes. He said casually, "Since being a couple

e door. I'

He reached out, held her wrist, and lightly pu

notice the cut on her

d by something while struggli

but Asher's grip was firm. "Don'

lplessly as Asher found a first-aid kit in the car,

nd. Although he was a bit clumsy,

blended together. Inside the enclosed space of the car, the at

found herself staring at hi

as far too

ious, he actually loo

eyes, catching her gaze. Their eyes locked. "I