Page 40 of Wish You Were Mine

“Yes, please.” Toby had no trouble accepting, but Asher hesitated. I wondered if he could sense that I wanted to get him alone. I needed him to confirm that he really didn’t remember anything from last night—both so I wouldn’t make a fool of myself and because it seemed suspicious that he’d conveniently forgotten our dance and near-kiss.

“Uh.” He glanced out the window, looking a little lost. I felt for him. Either he was trying really hard to pretend nothing had happened between us, or he’d gotten himself completely hammered.

“Ash.” Toby elbowed him. “Pay attention. You want a ride?”

Asher winced. “Yeah. Okay. Thanks, Summer.”

He clearly didn’t want to accept, but unless he asked Mum or Dad to take him home—or was willing to walk several kilometers back to town—he was out of luck.

We helped Mum and Dad clean up and then headed out to my Ute, which was parked on the road frontage. I smiled at the Destiny Falls Veterinary Clinic logo on the side and pressed the button on the key fob to unlock the doors. Having my own business would never get old.

Toby got in the front, and Asher in the back. I drove Toby home first, both because his place was closer and so I’d have the opportunity to talk to Asher without anyone overhearing.

Toby leaned across the center console and hugged me with one arm when we arrived. “See you later.”

I hugged him back, then pushed him toward the door. “Go nurse your broken heart.”

He clutched his chest and pouted as he got out. I laughed. He liked to be dramatic, but I had every faith he’d be head over heels for another girl by the end of the week. He shut the door and dragged his feet up the path to his front porch. I watched as he withdrew a key from his pocket and let himself in. Only then did I back out of the driveway.

The silence between Asher and I wasn’t as easy as it had been previously. My gut tightened as I turned a corner. I just had to ask. There was no point in delaying.

I glanced at him. “You really remember nothing from last night?”

“Nothing.” He seemed bothered by this. “Apparently, I can’t handle my alcohol like I used to. I’m embarrassed, honestly, and a bit ashamed too. You deserve more than to have to look after me on your birthday.”

“I didn’t have to,” I reminded him. “I chose to. Don’t worry about it.”

He huffed. “Still.”

We’d reached his house sooner than I’d hoped, but I pulled over to let him out, nonetheless. I could hardly keep him captive in my car just because I was upset I’d finally made progress with him only to lose it again.

He opened the door and turned toward me. “Thanks for the ride, and for keeping an eye on me overnight.”

My stupid heart flip-flopped. “It wasn’t a big deal.”

His mouth quirked. “I know we don’t always get along, but I appreciate you taking care of me.”

“No problem.” He needed to get out of my car before I mauled him with my mouth.

He climbed out of the Ute, then stopped. “Huh.”

“What?” I asked, following his gaze. Cookie was trotting across the small lawn toward him, her fluffy black tail in the air. She meowed and twitched the patch of fur beneath her nose shaped like a white bowtie.

“She should be inside,” he said. “I lock the cat door overnight. Kennedy must have let her out.”

“Must have,” I agreed, but unease stirred in the pit of my gut. I got out of the car. “Let’s check your cat door.”

He forced a nonchalance it was obvious he didn’t feel. “Sure.”

We walked to his front door together, and he unlocked it and entered. I followed him through the house to the back door, where the cat flap was set low to the ground. He knelt and pushed the flap. It didn’t move.

“It’s still locked,” he said, rotating the dial so Cookie could come and go as she wished.

“Perhaps Kennedy let her out when she left,” I suggested.

Asher pointed at the cat bowl to the side of the door. The meat was untouched. “Why would she let Cookie out if she hadn’t eaten yet?”

“Maybe the cat slipped past her by mistake.” Even as I said it, I knew it was unlikely. If that had happened, Kennedy would have either put Cookie back inside, unlocked the cat flap so she could return to her meal if she wanted, or let Asher or me know.

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