Page 28 of Ashley & the A-Listers

The beta in front of her moved away, and she glanced up enough to catch sight of his profile as he walked toward the pick-up counter.

Sharp jawline, mustache, and hair in that artful disarray framing his face.

She swooned a bit, but shook herself out of it as she stepped up to the counter.

“The usual?” the barista asked.

Ashley nodded. “Yes, please, a large.”

In her appreciation of abeta,she forgot to order food, and decided it was probably for the best because behind the counter wasbusy. She didn’t need to add one more thing to their plate this morning.

“You got it,” the barista said, and spun the device so Ashley could tap her card. “It’ll be over there.”

“Thank you,” Ashley said, and smiled brightly before scooting over to the line.

She got a few glances, as per usual. Female alphas were rare, and she was used to drawing attention. Today was no exception,and she met a few gazes, most of them darting away to avoid eye contact. Except one.

The beta, who was focused on his phone, thumb tapping at the screen as he waited for his coffee. Disappointment bubbled up, but she stomped it out stubbornly.

Oh, stop it,she thought to herself.

Ashley shook her head, and went to lean against a small spot in the wall while she watched the baristas work magic and prepare coffee.

She got lost in thought—not about the beta,thank you very much—and stood up straight, pushing off the wall when they called out a large caramel macchiato with an extra shot.

Angels practically sang as she approached, reaching for the large cup with her caffeine inside.

Unfortunately, someone else reached out as well, and Ashley was so absorbed in her own head she didn’t realize until it was too late.

She was practically holding hands with a stranger around her coffee, and ripped her touch away, startled.

“Oh, sorry—“ she began, and glanced… not up, but right across, and met the gaze of the goddamned handsome beta. “Hi,” she greeted, as if she knew this man.

“Hi, sorry,” he said, and removed his tattooed hand. “I guess we have the same order.”

“I guess so,” she agreed, and smiled, waving her hand. “Please, go ahead.”

But he was already shaking his head, lips curling beneath that mustache. “No, no. I insist. I’m in no rush.”

If that was the case…

Ashley curved her hand around the cup and claimed it. “Well, thanks. I’m on my way to work.”

He glanced at her attire and smiled. “Nice. I’m headed to a gym myself.”

Ashley arched a brow at that. “Daring move. What if I didn’t work at a gym?”

He chuckled. “With glutes like that? I decided to risk it.”

Ashley’s cheeks flamed, and she appreciated the brazenness of this beta.

“I never skip leg day,” she said, tipping her coffee at him, then managed to catch the time on her watch and cursed silently. “Gotta run.”

“Have a nice day,” he said, which was such a formal way to say such a thing, and yet it sounded so natural from him.

She felt his gaze on her as she walked away and tried to remember how to do such a simple task. It wasn’t until the door closed behind her, the bell dinging a goodbye, that it hit her.

Should I have gotten his number?

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