I know how to read her body language. She is trying to win Asher over, but honestly, he should be trying to win her over at this point. He and I will need to talk about this before we tell our parents what’s going on. It’s only a matter of time before we’re busted. There is only so much sneaking around you can do before you get caught. We always end up in each other's bed at night.

“I’ve never seen your mom ever be upset with you. She’s so sweet.” I don’t miss the longing in Emily’s words.

“I just don’t want to worry her or rock the boat. She’s so happy and in love.”

“I get it.” I glance over at her. It suddenly hits me.

Is that why Emily is always going above and beyond? She is always keeping herself so busy and excelling at everything. Asher had told me a bit about their mother and how cruel she could be. That he’d noticed when Emily started to get older, her own mother was jealous of her. I wonder if deep down she believes she is the reason her mother left.

Emily really does get it. We both go out of our way to try and not cause waves. We’re more alike than I ever realized; we just have different ways we go about how we handle it.

Emily’s phone goes off as we pull into the driveway. She puts the car into park, her face scrunching at whatever the text says.

“I’ve got to take care of something.”

“Okay. I’ll see you later. Thanks for the ride,” I tell her before I head into the house. I spot Grant in the kitchen when I take the side door inside.

“Hey,” I say. He gives me a warm smile.

“You’re home early.”

“Half day. Do you know where my mom is?”

“She’s in the library.”

“Thanks.”

“Would you like some lunch?” Grant calls after me.

“Not right now, but thank you.” I’m on a mission. Emily is right. I need to come clean with my mom. Asher might hide it well, but I can see the irritation in his eyes when he can’t touch me whenever he wants or let people know we’re together.

It’s so crazy to think how Asher and I started to where we are now. I’d gotten him so wrong. He’s protective of his family, and I understand that now after he told me all he had to go through with his mother.

“How much?” I pause at the doorway to the library when I hear Asher’s voice.