Page 74 of The Step Don't

“I think I sorted that part out with you being at my door and all. And they say I’m the clueless one.” I press a kiss to his lips.

“Wanna go grab some dinner with me?” Ash asks, and I say a silent thank-you to the love gods that he didn’t come in here to tell me he has other plans or that he wants to stay home tonight.

“Fuck yes. I’m starving.”

“Me too. Where’s Frat Cat?” He frowns.

“Miranda has him.” I didn’t want us to have to worry about him tonight. Thankfully, Ash doesn’t ask why I brought him to her.

I grab my cell, and we head out.

“Burgers good?” Ash asks.

“Thatworks for me.”

We’re supposed to stay out of the house for an hour and a half, at least. If dinner goes a little longer, that’s fine.

I try to be all incognito while I shoot Troy a text that I’m gone. Nerves make my belly tumble while I play on my phone and Ash drives. I want everything to be perfect. While it’s not something he would expect, it’s something I want for him.

“You’re being quiet,” he says as we pull into a parking spot.

“Huh?”

His brows pull together. “Are you okay?”

It’s really hard to get something by a person who knows you as well as you know yourself. “Yes. I’m fine. Better than fine. I’m fucking perfect. Now come on. I’ll give you a piggyback ride to the door.”

A grin spreads across his face. Thankfully, I’ve managed to change the subject.

We get out, and I turn around for Ash to jump on. His arms and legs wrap around me, him feeling at home against my body. He playfully nibbles at my ear while I walk.

“You’re going to get me hard, Ash.”

“You think I don’t know that?”

“You brat.” But we don’t keep the game up, don’t really need to.

Ash slides off my back when we get to the door. “Thanks, Big Man.”

“You’re welcome, my little perv.”

Not gonna lie, I’m a bit distracted most of dinner. Strangely, Ash doesn’t seem to notice. I can’t stop watching my phone, wondering what’s going on at the house, hoping Troy isn’t running into any problems.

Ash is talkative tonight, so even though our food arrives pretty quickly, I don’t have to come up with a reason to stall, keeping us here longer.

When the bill comes, I give the waitress my card this time. I’m about to text Troy under the table that we’re leaving when Ash says, “I’ll be right back. I have to go to the restroom real quick.”

“I’ll be here!” I say ridiculously. I’ll be here? Where the fuck else would I be?

Ash chuckles, then disappears. The second he’s gone, I call Troy because I’m freaking the fuck out.

“Everything is good?” I say instead of hello.

“Everything is perfect. Hurry up and get your asses home.”

“We’re about to leave. I’m gonna go before Ash comes out.”

The waitress brings my card back, and I finish signing the receipt just as Ash comes back.

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