Esperanza (Brides Dock On Portum Island!) #1

Untitled Part 10

Chapter 9

The ringing of the doorbell woke Esperanza the next morning. She glanced at the alarm clock and groaned. It was only six thirty in the morning. Asher put a pillow over his face, clearly wanting to ignore the annoying sound.

"Ugh! This better not be your mother," Esperanza said as she got out of bed. She wrapped her robe around herself and made her way to the door. She opened it to find her least favorite redhead was standing there, with a coffee in her grip.

"Is Asher awake? I was meeting Catherine for coffee, and remembered that he loved the cappuccinos at Lovestone Cafe."

"You had coffee with Catherine?" Esperanza slowly asked, her tone cautious.

"Yes. Catherine and I are good friends. Anyway—"

"So you only brought one coffee?" Esperanza asked suspiciously.

"I didn't know what you wanted," Emma said with a shrug.

"He's sleeping," Esperanza said before snatching the coffee out of the woman's hand. "I'll give it to him." Esperanza slammed the door in the woman's face before chucking the coffee into the trash. Then she stomped back to bed, staring at her husband, who had managed to sit up.

"Who was that?" he asked, rubbing his eyes.

"Emma. She went to Lovestone Cafe with your mother and—"

Asher immediately began laughing. "The last time my mom saw Emma, she actually got into a fistfight with her. And another thing, mom drinks coffee at Lovestone Cafe every morning. Why would she lie to you like that?" Asher asked her.

"Because she wanted to make me jealous," Esperanza figured.

"Why? You aren't the biggest fan of my mother," Asher said, his unruly hair framing his handsome face.

"I want you to go to the bathroom in five minutes."

"Why?" Asher asked, seeming excited.

"I have to cut your hair," Esperanza announced, which elicited a groan from her husband. She laughed as she fetched her supplies from one of the suitcases. Looking at her luggage reminded her that she needed to unpack.

For all Asher's grumbling, he enjoyed the attentions of his new wife. She cut his hair, which was starting to get in his way. She did nice work, and he immediately knew that Ted would insist on a haircut. Hopefully Ted's mail order bride would keep him busy.

After the haircut was done, Asher stripped and took a quick shower. By the time he was dressed in a short-sleeved button-down, khakis, and a pair of loafers, Esperanza had already made breakfast: pancakes, bacon, and eggs. He kissed her plump lips in thanks before sitting at the table.

"Coffee or orange juice?" Esperanza inquired.

"Orange juice, please. I'm not a huge coffee fan. I only bought some because I didn't know if you were a fan."

"Not really," Esperanza confessed. "I'm more of a tea drinker."

Asher sighed in relief. "I hate the smell of coffee. Emma loved coffee. I can tolerate cappuccino, which pleased her. But after we broke up, I didn't bother with coffee anymore." Asher was relieved that he didn't have to deal with boring dates at the coffee house.

After the delicious breakfast, Asher stood and was about to head into work early, but Esperanza held up a hand.

"Put your plate in the sink and wash it," she demanded.

"I could wash it later," he pointed out.

"Or you can just wash your plate now," Esperanza argued.