Page 91 of Beautiful Chaos

Ileaned forward and kissed Harper’s cheek. “Doll, that was amazing,” I settled back into my chair and fought the urge to loosen my belt.

“Yes, it was delicious. Are you sure you like it here with Jasper? You could come home with me; I’d let you cook for me anytime.” Max joked.

I gave him a pointed look.

“Easy, brother. You’ve got one amazing lady there, and she’s only got eyes for you,” he raised his hands in surrender and threw a quick wink at Harper. She smiled and leaned into my side.

Aster looked over at Harper, her eyes brimming with an emotion that was unfamiliar to me. Aster was always such a flirty, loud, speak-your-mind type of girl but the look she just shared with Harper was different.

Harper made eye contact with Aster, widening her eyes, and nodding in Max’s direction, so slightly that anyone could have missed it—except for me, because I see everything, especially when it comes to Harper.

Aster looked at me and nervously smiled, but it didn’t meet her eyes.

Something was going on.

Thinking back on it, I did notice that Aster was much quieter and less opinionated than usual.

“Okay, what’s going on ladies?”

I finally spoke up because the secrets were driving me nuts.

Aster glared at me, but it wasn’t a mean look—it was more of a scared one. My eyes narrowed as neither of them said a word.

The two of them kept sharing looks in some girly mute language. I reached down and tilted Harper’s head, coaxing her to meet my eyes.

“You better speak your mind before I have Max do some digging and find out more than we need to.” I squinted my eyes in warning, only half-joking.

Harper cleared her throat leaving the talking to Aster.

“That’s kinda what we are hoping for,” Aster finally spoke. I must have looked confused because she didn’t leave much time before continuing.

“Well, I kinda need some help.” She said, biting her bottom lip nervously.

“More specifically, yours,” She looked to Max. Max looked up from the glass he was sipping. He pointed his thumb toward his chest, “Me?” he questioned.

Aster nodded, looking more nervous now. I wasn’t sure where this was going, but I was starting to worry Harper was involved.

Why wouldn’t she have told me if they were in trouble?

I thought we were in a better place, than keeping things from each other.

“Oh darling, I can help you out, no problem, but it’s kinda rude to ask for that, at the dinner table, don’t you think?” Fucking Max, and his inappropriate, yet perfectly timed sexual innuendos.

I couldn’t help but chuckle when the drink Aster just sipped from, sprayed out of her mouth, drenching Max’s white T-shirt. As the wine dripped from his chin, Aster jumped up, grabbed the cloth napkin from the table, and started dabbing his face.

He smirked, grabbed her hand, and the napkin, then lowered it to his chest, where he flexed. Her lips formed an ‘O’, and her cheeks flushed. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her get embarrassed, but there she was, with embarrassment written all over her face. Harper was still at my side laughing so hard, that tears rolled down her cheeks.

“Oh wow, that’s one way to cop a feel, Darlin’. All you had to do was ask.” He winked. She threw the cloth at him and turned on her heels, but Max grabbed her wrist before she could go far, pulling her down into his lap.

“You had something to ask me?” he raised his brows questionably. She responded by smacking him in the chest and pushing herself up from his lap. Harper was breathlessly laughing.

“See Harper, I told you this was a bad idea.” Aster huffed, before plopping back into her chair.

“Okay, okay, I’m sorry, Buttercup, you have my attention.” Max teased. Aster clicked her teeth, and rolled her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest, like an eight-year-old throwing a tantrum.

After a few minutes of pouting, she finally sat straight and explained what happened. As she spoke, she looked down, avoiding eye contact. She was so ashamed. Harper rose and settled beside her, taking her hand in a comforting grip, and offering support while Aster tried to recount the events in detail.

Max’s expression was a smirk, full of snide at the thought of Aster needing his help. However, once everything was explained, Max looked like a completely different person sitting across from her.

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