The Asylum by Aaron Lazar

Author:Aaron Lazar [Lazar, Aaron]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-02-28T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

In the end, Carmen decided against dressing up for Micah on Saturday night. Her mother wanted her to wear a dark blue dress that she’d bought for her cousin’s wedding. It was pretty, with long sleeves, a scooped neck, and lace on the cuffs. But it just wasn’t her.

She went with her favorite jeans and a cranberry red sweater. Her father had always told her red was her color, and this way she felt comfortable. It was snowing—again—so she put on her calf-hugging leather snow boots, laced them up, and headed downstairs.

Before she reached the coat rack, her mom approached with a little velvet box. “Carmencita?”

“What is it, Mom?”

“I wondered if you want to borrow my opal pendant tonight? For good luck?”

Carmen laughed. “You think I’ll need luck?”

Rosita opened the box. “Everybody needs a little luck. My father gave this to me, and I wore it the day your dad proposed to me.”

“Oh my gosh. I’m not expecting a marriage proposal.”

“I should hope not! For Heaven’s sakes, you two just met. But it’s a pretty necklace and it’ll look beautiful on you.”

“Thanks.” She pulled up her hair and turned around for her mom to fasten the necklace.

“There you go.” Rosita kissed her cheek. “It looks so pretty. Now go have some fun!”

Carmen hugged her, then slipped into her coat. “See you…whenever.”

* * *

Micah’s address was in the nicer part of town, about four blocks north of Saint Michael’s. The solid old red brick house featured stately white trim around the tall windows and a square roof.

She raised and dropped the brass knocker three times. In seconds, the big green door opened and there he stood, as handsome as ever.

“You’re here,” he said with a huge grin. He wore jeans and a denim shirt with no shoes. “Come on in.”

“Hi, there.” She leaned in for a quick kiss. “I’m glad you’re in jeans. My mom wanted me to wear a dress.”

He laughed. “I’d love seeing you in a dress, no doubt about it. But I really just want you to be comfortable, Carmen. And look at me. I’m in my hang-around-the-house clothes. Just one step up from my sweats, actually.”

He smelled good, like cedarwood. His dark hair was damp, which meant he’d just showered. Her heartbeat quickened. “Smells great in here.” She meant his aftershave, but assumed he’d think it was the cooking aromas.

“It’s my sauce. Been cooking it all day.”

“How’d you learn to cook?” She really wondered about this, because he’d lost his parents early in life, apparently had no surviving grandparents, and only had his stern uncle, Doctor Ajax Worthy by whom he’d been raised. Somehow she couldn’t imagine Ajax cooking. And med school didn’t usually allow time for anything but medicine.

“Our cook, Tessa, taught me. She was my best friend growing up, tell the truth. I think she was the only reason I stayed sane.”

“You’re sane?” Carmen slid an arm through his and giggled. “Well, that’s a relief.”

He led her through the elegant living room filled with

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