Page 43 of The Influencer

Jesus. I’ve made it all the way to the spa, and I’ve been thinking about Asher this whole time. I promise I’m not obsessing. I’m not.

Jax Lawrence standing over a barbecue grill flipping burgers is both a jarring sight and also totally on brand. He’s got a broad smile and a beer in his hand, and he’s—oh shit, Asher.

That’s who’s at the grill with him, making him laugh like that.

I turn on my heel and head back into the house to check myself in the mirror again. On the way, I run into Gideon and two hot guys I’ve never met before.

“This is Jade,” my boss says, gesturing at me with a flourish.

“I’d know him anywhere,” the taller man with dark hair says. He holds out his hand. “Vince Rossi. I’m a fan.”

“A fan?” This is where it always gets sticky.

“I follow you on Instagram.”

I nod carefully. “Nice to meet you.”

“And this is his partner Race,” Gideon says, introducing the other guy who doesn’t look altogether unlike me, at least on paper. I’m slimmer, and slightly taller, at least in these sneakers, but our hair is similar. I think he may be better looking, though, and this makes me immediately distrust him. “They play for the LA Flames.”

“Is that—basketball?”

“Baseball, you idiot,” Gideon says. “Jesus.”

I glare at Gideon. My lack of a high school degree, ergo, my intelligence is a touchy subject, and he fucking knows it. “I’m not a sports person.”

“It’s all good,” Vince says.

“What do you do?” The other guy—Race—asks.

“I’m a dancer,” I say.

“He’s also a huge gay influencer and?—”

“Among other things,” I say, cutting Vince off before he starts shouting about my OnlyFans. I can’t guarantee that’s where he was going with that, but just to be safe. It’s not a secret or anything, but it’s also not what I like to talk about at parties unless I’ve had four or five drinks first, which I have not.

No one’s even offered me one yet. “It’s nice to meet you both, but I have to visit the boys’ room. Chat later?”

I sidestep them and head for the downstairs powder room, which is blessedly empty. I had not dressed with any expectation of Asher being here. I’d dressed for my co-workers, which means I’m wearing something so boring, it’s barely even sexy. The long-sleeved t-shirt is midriff and off the shoulder, but I’m wearing mom jeans for Christ’s sake. They show off absolutely nothing. And they’re acid wash. Now, fashion-wise, I’m doing fine, and the pics I took when I was getting ready were super cute, but I might as well be wearing pleated chinos.

I put my hands on the edge of the sink and drop my head while giving myself the reminder that I am not interested in Asher Haas.

At all.

Not even a little bit.

But I like that he’s interested in me. Or at least he was for an hour or two. I hate to disappoint a fan. Okay, I need to get a grip. It’s a party. I’m fabulous at parties. Flipping my hair back, I check my angles in the mirror before leaving the bathroom to find a drink and mingle.

“Oh. It’s you.”

Asher was literally reaching for the doorknob as I opened the door and is now catching his balance as I stand in his way.

“Figured you’d be here,” he says.

“It’s a work party. What brings you here?”

“Sawyer is Gideon’s manager; Adam is Sawyer’s fiancé. They’re only in town for the weekend, and I wanted to see my brother.”

“Ah. Well. Hope you have a nice time.”

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