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She pointed at the IKEA box in the corner “It’s not very big, but it should fit in the niche nicely, and I can use the extra storage for periodicals The trick will be putting it together It seeh to—”

“I’ll do it,” I blurted

“Honey, that’s very nice of you, but—”

“And I can take a look at the faucet too”

Mom cocked her head and pursed her lips “I appreciate the offer, Ash, but the superintendent should deal with plu, and as for the bookshelf…you’re not exactly dressed for construction”

I glanced down at my attire and frowned “True, but I can return…with power tools”

“Power tools?” She looked vaguely concerned now “Oh, honey That sounds dangerous”

“No, no I’m quite proficient with the use of power tools,” I lied And because I’d just fibbed, I was either going to have to knock a point off or learn how to use them quickly “Mostly anyway Um…when do you need this complete?”

“Asher, I don’t—”

“Next weekend or the weekend after?”

“Uh, well, I’m not in a hurry,” she conceded

“Perfect! Then it’s settled,” I pronounced “I’ll contact you shortly and eratitude”

“Asher…”

“I insist”

5

Blake

“Do you kno to build a bookshelf?”

I glanced up from the menu the server had just set in front of me and reached for my water as I eyed my date Correction… a bow tie An actual bow tie I hadn’t gotten around to asking Asher if it was a clip-on or if it was a coht I hadn’t worn one since I was a ring bearer inwhen I was four years old Truthfully, I’d always thought they were kinda dorky…until now

Damn, he looked sexy as fuck

Perfectly pressed and sharp as a tack in his navy trousers, white button-down shirt under a blue plaid blazer, and yeah, a red bow tie I wanted to unwrap him like a birthday present, then eat him up, and—

He was staring at ain?

Oh, right Bookshelves