Sorry My Step-Uncle, I'm Not Your Backup Plan novel Chapter 20

She called Asher.

He answered quickly, his voice gentle. "Found a favorite among those gowns, Gabby?"

"Yes," she replied. "Which one do you prefer?"

She heard his soft chuckle. "Didn't I say to get all three? My assistant's already secured them."

"That fast? I just posted."

"Limited editions sell out quickly. Wouldn't want to miss them."

"Thank you, Asher."

"Gabby, you're my fiancée now. We're family. No need for thanks."

True enough, but she couldn't quite step into the fiancée role yet. In her heart, Asher was still the patient tutor from next door.

"By the way, getting around New York by Uber must be tiresome. I've arranged for a car. Just send me the address for delivery."

Gabriella felt a pang of guilt. Asher must know why she'd fled to New York to escape their arranged marriage, why her father had cut off her accounts.

She'd been living like any other working professional in New York—no car, no property.

Her London friends had offered to "sponsor" her, but she'd refused.

She'd only accepted help for those first two months, paying them back as soon as she started earning.

Now here was Asher, the very person she'd run from, offering her a car without a hint of resentment.

Shame tightened her grip on the phone.

"Really, ride-sharing is fine."

A hint of hurt crept into Asher's voice. "Are you still so reluctant about our engagement?"

Gabriella shook her head instinctively, then remembered he couldn't see her.

"No, Asher. I agreed to this engagement because I want to. I just... I'm coming back to London in a few days anyway. A car seems unnecessary."

"No matter. We can have it shipped back."

"But—"

"Don't you have that court appearance in Jersey next week? Driving would be easier."

Gabriella blinked in surprise.

"How did you know about that?"

"You posted about it two months ago."

Gabriella paused.

The hearing was indeed scheduled for September 25th at the circuit court in New Jersey. She'd made a casual Instagram post joking about the "business trip," planning to try that famous ramen place everyone talked about and maybe do some sightseeing.

Asher's voice carried a warm smile. "Having a car would make it more convenient. You could explore the area after court."

Standing in his London office overlooking the city lights, Asher's expression softened.

Three years ago, learning about her modest life in New York, he'd wanted desperately to help—buy her a car, an apartment, anything. But he'd had no right then. Any gifts would have been refused.

Now things were different. Their engagement finally gave him the right to care for her properly.

Gabriella felt something shift in her chest at his words, like ripples spreading across still water.

Her Instagram posts were set to delete after three days. Sometimes she forgot what she'd posted herself, yet Asher remembered every detail.

Drake had never paid attention to her posts like that.