Page 141 of The Sidekick

I give him a baffled look. “Why would he? Andi goes all over the place. He complains about bag holding.”

True facts, but not what he’s insinuating. Too bad for him. Shade is number two on my protect by any means necessary list.

“We’ll let you know,” Asher slides past me and starts showing them to the door. They don’t protest, chatting with him quietly until he closes and locks the door behind them.

“There’s no chain,” he notes in a casual tone as he comes back towards me. “Act normal. The blinds are still open.”

I take a sip from the cup and look at the windows from the corner of my eyes. They’re both standing on the sidewalk, talking while they watch the apartment.

Asher walks to the counter, sliding the smoothie towards me. “You’ll have more cover over here. They won’t be able to see us talking. Shade, stay where you are until I give you the all-clear.”

I turn in surprise as he smoothly maneuvers us so Shade won’t get caught.

“Were you in the military?”

He looks confused, “No?”

“You’re just good at covering for people?”

The soft chuckle he lets out as he leans on the counter relaxes me. He looks boyish and charming as he nudges the glass again. “I’m good at helping people who don’t deserve it.”

I tilt my head in confusion. He says it like it has a lot of hidden meanings. “Are you sure you’re not a serial killer?”

He scoffs and turns to make himself a cup of coffee. I’m not giving this mug back, so it’s a good call.

“I teach classes at a gym. The worst thing I’ve done lately is look at your information so I could get your number and where you live.”

I’m debating on the smoothie when he says it. The casual tone almost makes the words go over my head. When they finally sink in, I lean back with a frown, “You’re really a stalker?”

He winces and turns back towards me with his hands raised like I’m a police officer, and he’s surrendering. “I know how it looks.”

“Bad,” I say helpfully and take a sip with wide eyes.

“Yeah, I told you last night I’m obsessed. I wasn’t lying.”

“Did you cut some of my hair off last night so you could make a shrine? Or did you just watch me sleep? Creepy guys do that kind of stuff.”

Asher’s face goes through a few emotions. Confusion, disgust, and reluctant humor. “No. I’m more of a straightforward, in-your-face stalker. I’m not going to lie to you.”

“Who put you up to approaching me?” I grimly take another sip as I watch him. I put the Shade mask on. It seems to bother him even more than the question.

“No one. I asked because I’m interested,” he snaps, and the new mug hits the counter sharply.

I swallow hard as I watch the hands braced on the counter. There are vines with thorns wrapped around his pinkies, and his knuckles are calloused. I hadn’t noticed that.

“Ask me anything. I swear I won’t lie,” he sounds so earnest, but I don’t know if I can believe him or not.

“Who invited you to dinner?” He said Andi did it through Shade. How did that happen?

“Shade sent me the info on where to go. Andi invited me.” He looks uncomfortable with the question, and I make a few guesses why.

“Max gave you her number? How many people know about this?”

His head jerks back in horror, “Fuck no. I didn’t ask for anyone’s info because I didn’t tell anyone about knowing you.”

My eyes narrow at that response.

“Did Shade tell her about you?”

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