Page 19 of Asher

But if he didn’t even remember what happened between us? How amazing that kiss felt? That would be like taking a knife to a tit.

“How could he not remember it?” Stephanie’s brow furrowed.

“You know how we went to Bennett’s wedding last weekend?” They both nodded. “Well, we came back here afterward. Asher was pretty much hammered. We were making our way inside. I stumbled. He gripped my waist to steady me. Next thing I knew, he had pushed me against the door and was kissing me.”

Rylie’s mouth popped open like a damn fish. “Like just a quick peck on the lips? Or world shattering?”

I fidgeted with the belt that synched my pink dress. Even drunk, the man could kiss. My stomach flipped, remembering the way his lips moved with mine. How his tongue teased. He was the perfect mixture of hot and sweet. “If there’s a scale? Way past Toe-curling, zeroing in on earth shattering.”

“This is the second time you called his kisses toe-curling,” Rylie said with a knowing look.

“Yeah.”

“So, if it was toe-curling, why aren’t you already shacked up and banging it out?” Stephanie asked and I swear I would’ve done a spit take had I taken a drink.

Rylie groaned, glaring at me. “I seriously hate that you turned everyone on to the word bang.”

“I can’t believe Stephanie said it,” I laughed. “And we aren’t banging it out because Ash pushed me away and jumped ten feet back when I tried to take it further. He looked at me like I was the one who attacked him. Not the other way around, and then he just walked away. Went upstairs and left me on the couch.”

“Idiot,” Rylie mumbled, scowling in Asher’s direction. “If it weren’t for Nix, I would ask if we needed to bury a body.”

I inhaled deeply. “It gets better. I laid down trying not to cry and five minutes later, he came back down the stairs and covered me up.”

“That was sweet,” Stephanie said.

“Yeah,” I sighed. “I pretended to be asleep. He stood behind the couch and said that it was a mistake.”

Stephanie’s eyes narrowed. “What were his exact words?”

“I don’t know. All I heard was it was a mistake.”

Rylie and Stephanie exchanged a look I didn’t understand before Ry asked, “Are you sure he was talking about the kiss?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know what else he would’ve been talking about. Anyway, the next morning I woke up to him making coffee like nothing happened. He didn’t mention it.”

“Why didn’t you tell us?” Stephanie wrapped an arm around my shoulder, her belly blocking her from pulling me too close. A pinch of jealousy cut through me as I rubbed her baby bump.

“I didn’t want to bring any drama to your lives. I know that Cam and Asher are close and he’s Mason’s brother.” I bit the inside of my lip.

“Yeah. And you’re our sister.” Rylie hooked an arm around my waist on the other side. “We side with you, always.”

Holly was right. I should’ve come to them first. “I love you girls.”

“We love you.” Rylie said as Asher’s voice rang across the yard, saying it was time for cake.

CHAPTER FIVE

ASHER

I leanedagainst the back deck, surveying the party. Specifically, the beautiful blonde smiling brightly as she pushed my daughter on the swing. She was radiant. Hard to look away from.

Phoenix missed Haley over the past week, and I can’t say that I blamed her. I missed her, too. She’d become a staple in our house for the past couple of years and spent at least three nights a week with us. Eating, watching movie and playing games. She was always there.

Mason stepped up next to me, passing me a beer. I typically didn’t drink, but I needed something to cut off the edge.

Phoenix was seven.

I couldn’t believe it had been seven years since I first held her in my arms. Seven years since we lost Carrie. The first few birthdays were hard. It always felt wrong to celebrate Phoenix’s birthday when it was also the anniversary of her mother’s death.

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