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"Clover," Grant says with a wary smile. "This is my good friend, Asher Aldridge."
Barely breathing, I stare up into the eyes of my enemy.
CHAPTER TWO
Asher
Ican't stop staring at Clover Weston, even as I realize I'm probably coming off as strange, if not downright creepy. There's something about her that draws me in, something more than just her obvious beauty. She's got thick dark hair laced through with white flowers and hanging down to her waist. But there's something more about her, an energy or a charisma, something I can't name but want to explore.
Despite all the reasons I shouldn't, I want to know her.
Her eyes are narrowed like she's mad at me and I try to think about what I might have done to piss her off, but her adorable button nose distracts my brain.
"Asher, this is Clover Weston," Grant says. "She's looking at—"
"I've just heard so many nice things about you from Grant and I asked to meet you." Clover holds out her hand, her smile so clearly forced it looks painful.
I know exactly why she wants to meet me. Of course, Grant's already mentioned her and told me how sweet she is and how much Dani wants her sister to stay in Catalpa Creek. He claims Clover's only staying if she can buy my gym. I call bullshit. She can rent just about any empty building and make it into her yoga or pilates or spin studio. My gym already has everything it needs and a clientele.
I shake her hand and don't tell her I've watched at least twenty of her workout videos and stalked her on social media.It's better if she has no idea how many steps ahead of her I am. "Everything Grant has said about me is the truth. He never exaggerates."
"He's honest, as an officer of park law should be." She wipes her hand on her dress as though my touch disgusts her.
I push down a prickle of irritation. I know her type. Expensive work-out gear down to the right water bottle and towel, a fake smile and forced energy for her fans, counting every comment and view like it's nutrition for her soul. She sees me as an idiot from the wrong side of the tracks, no one who should have the right to touch her.
I love to fuck with people who think I'm beneath them. I offer her my hand again. "How about a dance?"
She attempts to disguise her recoil with a flirty giggle, but I see it. I've got this woman's number. "I'm not a dancer and I don't know these fancy dances."
"Neither do I." I give her a goofy, vapid smile. "What's say we teach these folks the Macarena?"
"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that." Grant turns away with a wince. "Dani wants this ball to be authentic."
"I won't tell her it was your idea." I laugh at Grant's raised middle finger and turn back to Clover, but she's slipped into the crowd, making her way toward the exit from the look of it. Maybe this dance is also beneath her.
Dani returns and hands me a warm, damp rag. I wipe away the dip, leaving a dark wet spot behind. Clover's left her plate of food on the table and I consider hunting her down and giving it to her, just to irritate her.
"Hey there, handsome." Milly Periwinkle sashays up to me. "Did you say something about the Macarena?" She's dressed like Clover, in an empire-waisted dress, her silver hair topped with white feathers that sway in the breeze created by the dancing crowd behind her.
"Miss Milly. How are you? We missed you in class on Tuesday." I've been teaching strength classes at the local senior center two days a week, and Milly is one of my most committed students.
She waves a hand in dismissal. "My hip was acting up. Doc Lindgren, over in Willow's Ridge, got me all fixed up with some of them steroid shots. I can dance all night."
"Quit hogging all the single men." Barbara Campbell practically shoves Milly out of the way as she joins us. Her dress is similar to Milly's, except it's bedazzled and her gray hair is cropped, accentuating her delicate bone structure. "Are you looking for a dance partner, Asher, darling?"
"I'm looking to dance with the two loveliest ladies at this ball. What do you say we show everyone how it's done?"
Milly shoots Barbara a narrow-eyed glare. "You're lucky we're in a public place, Babs."
I clap my hands together, falling back into trainer mode at the first sign of tension. "Enough chit-chat. Let's dance."
Before they can argue or start a brawl, I shake my hips all the way to the dance floor. I try to follow the dance steps while also paying attention to both Milly and Barbara equally.
As soon as the song changes, I shout out a suggestion for the macarena and everyone cheers. The live band continues playing a song that's way too slow, but I know better than to ask them to play something else. They've already shot me down twice and the woman playing the harpsichord is staring at me like she'd enjoy ripping out my throat.
Milly and Barbara make it about halfway through the song and forget all about me, laughing with each other as they shake their hips and go through the familiar movements.
Next to me, a woman I've never seen before, tall and slender, with long, blond hair, winks at me. "Great idea. Those old-timey dances are so boring."
