Page 32 of The Last Time

He looks a bit amused by my question. “Were you wondering if I was gonna be here?”

I roll my eyes. “Get over yourself.”

When he smiles, I notice the creases around his eyes. They show the years that have gone by since we’ve last seen each other, but they are fitting on him. “I had dinner at my parents’ house when I went to pick up Brie after I left your place. Since they are watching her again tomorrow, they suggested she just spend the night.”

“Ah, I see. So, Daddy has the night off.”

His eyes turn dark. I realize how that just came off. I’ve never found the whole ‘daddy’ kink particularly alluring, but it seems anything is where Asher is concerned.

“I do have the night off,” his voice says gruffly. “Are you happy I’m here?”

Before I can answer, Layla interrupts. “Charlotte, what do you say we play a round of cornhole?”

She gestures to the area of grass that has the game boards set up.

I need to get ahold of myself. Getting away from Asher’s close proximity is a must right now.

I stand up. “I’m down.”

“Nice. Who wants to play us?” she offers to the crowd.

“You in?” Josh looks at Asher.

Asher smiles up at me.

Dammit! There’s no getting away from him. “Yeah. I’m in.”

Layla looks at me and rolls her eyes. On our way to the boards, she whispers in my ear.

“We need to beat these motherfuckers.”

My eyes open wide in surprise. “Yikes. It’s not just a friendly game of cornhole?”

She shoots daggers at Josh, who is holding the cornhole bags and beaming at Layla.

“No,” she says harshly.

“You wanna stand next to me, Layla?” Josh asks, still sporting his wide grin.

“I say you mess with him,” I whisper in her ear. “Just start saying sexy things and touching him. I promise you that man wants you. It’ll totally throw him off his game.”

She laughs out loud. “Girl, that’s a fabulous idea. And I say you’ve got a man standing right beside him who totally wants you. Maybe we both can cause a little chaos tonight?”

She winks at me then stops the waitress and orders us both two shots.

“Liquid courage,” she says to me. “Alright, Joshua. You ready to get on your knees and beg me to take it easy on you?”

“Sure, and while I’m down there, if you want me to do anything else,” he says to her.

Asher finds me on our side of the boards.

“They think I’m an idiot,” Asher whispers to me.

“What are you talking about?” I ask.

He looks over at Josh and Layla who are now fighting over what color bean bags they play with.

“Something must’ve happened between them. They clearly have history, and they think I don’t know.”

---