The smell of roasted meat and herbs filled the packhouse long before dinner was ready. It drifted down the hall, mixing with the warmth of the fire that Asher had lit earlier. For the first time in months, the dining room felt alive again. Laughter and footsteps echoed through the halls as Gage and Arlo helped Emily get settled.
Asher and I were upstairs getting ready. I brushed my hair, watching him from the mirror as he buttoned his black shirt. It clung to his chest in all the right ways, and I couldn’t help but smile.
“You’re staring.” He said, smirking as he caught my eyes in the reflection.
“I’m admiring.” I said, standing to smooth down my dress. It wasn’t fancy, just soft and simple. Dark green with long sleeves that matched the earthy tone of the packhouse.
He walked up behind
