Page 90 of Wish You Were Mine

I almost melted right where I stood.

Zane gestured at the two empty stools. “Why don’t you have a seat and explain? Summer, you may as well drink Liam’s beer.”

I took the drink, feeling oddly disloyal, as if drinking my brother’s beer was a step too far, even if dating his best friend wasn’t.

I glanced toward the bar, relieved that Dad was only just emerging from the back room, a full bottle of vodka in one hand. It didn’t seem like he’d noticed anything amiss, and considering how busy the pub was, I doubted anyone else had overheard our conversation, however heated it might have been.

“Summer and I have been attracted to each other for a while,” Asher began. “But things started to change that evening when we both ended up at the ski resort for a date, at tables beside each other.”

I was glad he’d begun our story there rather than when I’d humiliated myself after my high school graduation. I listened with one ear while I got out my phone and typed out a message to Liam.

Summer: I’m really sorry if we hurt you. We intended to tell you, and I’m sorry you found out this way.

Then I sent another one to Kennedy, explaining what had happened in as few words as possible because I didn’t want her to be unprepared when Liam arrived home.

I glanced at the bar again, and my gut tightened. Dad was making his way toward us, visibly concerned.

“Did Liam leave?” he asked as he drew near. “Is Kennedy all right?”

I grimaced. Of course he’d be worried, considering he’d nearly lost both of his daughters-in-law recently. I met Asher’s eyes, and he gave me a subtle nod.

“As far as I know, Kennedy is fine,” I told him. “Liam left because he’s upset that Asher and I are dating.”

For a long moment, Dad didn’t say anything. I briefly wondered if he hadn’t heard me. But then he just smiled, slung his arm around my shoulders and kissed the side of my head. He reached his free hand across to shake Asher’s.

“I’ve always been protective of you as my only baby girl,” he told me. “But I couldn’t have asked for a better man for you. Congratulations, you two.”

Thank God.

The tension bled out of me, and Dad chuckled.

“You were really worried, weren’t you?” he asked.

“Liam walked out on us when he found out.” Asher’s voice was strained, and I hugged Dad, then pulled away from him and embraced Asher as well. He needed comforting more than Dad did.

“To be fair, he was caught off guard,” Zane said. “That guy just dropped a bombshell on him.”

Dad nodded. “Give him time. He’ll come around.”

I hoped they were right. Especially when Asher was obviously unhappy with Liam’s response. They were more than best friends. They worked together. They couldn’t afford to be on the outs.

Although in a selfish part of my mind, I was relieved that Asher hadn’t denied anything. Even if it hurt Liam, he’d thought I was worth the trouble. People could say what they liked, but it was their actions that counted.

He wanted me. Not perfectly put-together Ashley with their shared past. Not any of the other beautiful, successful women he’d gone on first dates with.

Me.

“So, what are you going to do to make Liam forgive you?” Zane asked. “I’d rather not have to deal with you two going through a divorce as work husbands. You know you’re the team dads. If you’re miserable, we all are.”

Asher’s jaw dropped. “We definitely aren’t the team dads. That’s Parks’s job.”

“He does have that vibe,” I agreed. “Responsible older man. A little bit stern.”

Dad pulled a face. “You know Parks has kids, right? I hope you don’t make him act like a father at work as well as at home. I can say for certain that his kids are cuter than the lot of you. He has no reason to tolerate it from you.”

Zane stared at him as if he’d just announced that Santa Claus wasn’t real. “Excuse you, Eugene, but I am just as cute as any of Parks’s little ones.”

Dad laughed.

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