Page 59 of Asher

Or was it just me?

“What are you waiting for?” I jumped when I heard Stella’s voice in my ear.

My head whipped around to look at her, and I asked, “Wha... what are you talking about?”

She smiled that all-knowing smile of hers and then wrapped a hand around the side of my neck, “Chloe, you're my best friend. And if I didn’t think that you were perfect for my dad, I’d ditch you so fast your head would spin.”

What?

Was she saying what I think she’s saying?

At the bewildered look on my face, she snickered, “Go to him. Be with him. All I ask is that you love him. And I already know that you do.”

“Stell...” she brought her hand up, halting my words.

She chuckled, then lowered her hand, “I love you, Co. Go to him.”

I swallowed.

“How are you not mad at me?” I asked.

Her mouth opened and closed, then she asked, “What on earth for?”

I swallowed, “For not telling you sooner. And all the times you asked when something was bothering me?”

She smiled, “If you were anyone else, Co, I would hate you forever. But you're not. You’re my Co. Just know that I come first. You were mine first. Okay?”

I nodded, then reached out and hugged her.

She returned it and then whispered, “You hid it as best you could, but my dad damn sure didn’t.”

I pulled away and looked at her with wide eyes.

She shook her head and smiled, “Come on, Co. You’re one of the smartest people I know. He bites the head off of anyone who interrupts him when he’s busy. He even gives me the finger and tells me to wait. But do you know who he doesn’t do that to?”

“Me,” I whispered.

She nodded, “Yeah. You.”

Then I sighed because she was right.

In every instance.

And then, when my feet didn’t move fast enough for her liking, she chuckled and then gave me a shove.

When she did that, my eyes were on Asher.

And when I stumbled forward, I watched as his hands clenched into tight fists on his lap.

Oh. My.

Taking in a deep breath for courage, I looked back at Stella, only to see her throw me two thumbs up.

My eyes landed back on Asher, and when I saw crinkles forming at the corners of his eyes, I hid a small smile.

The moment I reached him, I said, “So, Stella thinks I’m perfect for you.”

He looked up at me, tilted his head, and nodded, “Because you are.”

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