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He shrugs. “Maybe I’ll sit next to you from now on and you can help me stay awake.”
Like I want to babysit this guy?
Umm…no thanks.
When I give him a tight smile in response, just wanting to get this conversation back on track and take their orders, he says, “I was kind of wondering…”
His voice trails off when heavy hands settle on my shoulders.
The guy’s eyes widen before he audibly swallows. “Hey, Asher. How you doing?”
“I’m good.” He doesn’t bother to volley the question back as he draws me closer to his body. “I see you’ve met my girl.”
The dark-haired guy’s gaze flickers to me before bouncing back to Asher. “Umm, yeah.” That’s all it takes for awkwardness to descend. “Sorry, man. I didn’t know she was with you.”
“Well, now you do,” he says easily. The steely strength that has crept into his voice doesn’t go unnoticed by anyone.
“Yup,” he mutters, picking up his menu and pretending to peruse it as his friends do the same. Even though the restaurant is filled with chatter and music, it’s quiet enough at the table to hear a pin drop.
I bite down on my inner cheek to keep a straight face and not smile. There’s a tiny part of me that feels like I should be irritated with Asher for coming over and marking his territory. Especially while I’m at work. Unfortunately, I’d be lying through my teeth if I didn’t admit that a bigger part is flooded with pleasure.
It’s almost like he can read my thoughts as he pulls me close enough to whisper, “You’re mine, and I want everyone to know it.”
Before I can respond, he presses a kiss against the side of my face and disappears as quietly as he interrupted.
I clear my throat before asking cheerfully, “So, who’s ready to order?”
27
ASHER
With my backpack slung over my shoulder, I wait for Lola near the hostess stand. I’m impatient to hustle her sweet ass out of here so I can finally get my hands on her. I’ve been fighting the urge since I walked into the restaurant earlier. Especially when that bonehead thought he could pick her up.
Even from across the room, I could tell what was going on. Hot sparks of jealousy had erupted inside me. It’s not something that’s ever happened before. No girl has ever made me feel possessive. In fact, it’s always been the opposite. If they were off flirting with another guy, then they weren’t solely focused on me. The last thing I wanted was for one of them to think we had something more meaningful than it was.
I couldn’t feel more different about Lola.
I blink out of those thoughts when movement catches the corner of my eye and excitement stirs inside me, thinking that she’s finally mine for the rest of the night. My head swivels and I’m just about to take a step in her direction when I realize that it’s not the dark-haired beauty, but her cousin instead. She’s leaning against one of the pillars with her arms crossed over her chest.
Once our gazes lock, they remain fastened. After a long stretch of silence ticks by, she arches a sculpted brow. If she thinks her open examination will be enough to make me squirm, she couldn’t be more wrong. I’m used to people staring. And pointing. Not to mention, talking loudly enough for me to overhear their conversation.
“You and Lola, huh?”
I shrug and try to keep my stance relaxed. “Yup.”
Even though I’ve met her mother and father—if that’s what you want to call him—and that went well enough, her cousin looks like she’d be more than happy to drag me into a small room and grill me using questionable tactics.
But here’s the thing—I can’t blame her for being protective. If I had a sister, I wouldn’t want her getting tangled up with a guy like me either.
After another minute of intense scrutiny, she pushes away from the pillar and strolls closer. “I’d like to know what your intentions are.”
My intentions?
Umm…
“We’re just—you know—hanging out and having fun,” I mutter.
Her expression darkens. “So, you’re just in this for a good time? Is that what you’re telling me?”
A good time?
Is this girl serious?
Fighting Lola tooth and nail to even get this far has been the exact opposite of fun. It’s been a lot of fucking hard work. Totally worth it in the end, but still work.
“I had to practically force your cousin into admitting that she was interested in seeing me.”
That brings a reluctant smile to her lips. “Sounds about right.”
My attention drifts to Lola, who’s busy counting out her tips near the back. “She’s not an easy nut to crack.”
She follows my gaze until it lands on her cousin. The small smile fades from her face. “Nope, she’s not. If you actually get to know her, you might discover the reasons for that.”
