Page 31 of Asher

It’d likely kill me. So, like the fully functioning adult woman that I am, I avoided him all together.

Avoidance was key to surviving. To moving on. At least that’s what I was trying to convince myself.

“Have you talked to him at all?” Gray unwrapped his blueberry muffin. My head whipped in his direction. He wasn’t even looking at me.

Well, there goes avoidance. I’m sure my face looked like I swallowed a lemon. “No.”

He popped an eyebrow before he took a bite, talking around a mouth full. “Has he tried to get a hold of you?”

I looked across the room at a couple holding hands and laughing. My heart squeezed. “No.”

“Hales.” He used the same tone my brothers did when they knew I was hiding something.

“Fuck.Fine, yes. He has, but honestly, I’m not ready to listen to how he has fallen madly in love with some young hussy.”

His chuckled, shaking his head. “Hales.”

I reached over, grabbed the last of piece of his muffin and popped it in my mouth, chewing slowly. Of course, Gray just stared at me, waiting. I sighed, my shoulders dropping. “Fine. She didn’t seem hussy-like, but still, I’m not ready to go there.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to hear him out? Maybe there’s another story.”

My teeth dug into my bottom lip. “One that doesn’t lead to me hurting?” The words were quiet, but I knew he heard them.

“One exactly like that.”

Something in his tone had my eyes narrowing. “Do you know something?” I poked his rock-hard shoulder.

“Maybe.”

I scoffed. “Way to bury the lead. What is it?”

“I’m not going to tell you.”

“You’re supposed to be my friend.” I couldn’t mask the hurt in my voice.

Reaching over the armrest, he laced our fingers together and, for the millionth time; I wished for a connection. A flutter. Hell, a baby spark small enough to light a tea candle.Something.“Babe, I am. But I’m also Asher’s friend and I heard him out. I think you should, too.”

I pursed my lips. “Nah. I’m good.”

“Alright, be stubborn.” He joked and changed the subject. “Are you ready for this wedding?”

“Depends.

Gray smirked. “On?”

“Who’s marrying them? Elvis or drunk cupid?” I smiled sweetly, and he chuckled.

“Knowing Will? Drunk cupid.”

“Awesome.”

* * *

The shutterof my camera clicked three times as I focused on the couple staring at each other with hearts practically floating above their heads. I don’t think I’d ever met a couple more in love.

Hell, they gave Ry and Mason a run for their money.

It was sweet, though, that they were choosing this.

---