Page 45 of Descent

The waiter comes up to us, and we both decide on the beef wellington. Only to be absolutely shocked when the portions on each of our plates is no larger than a silver dollar. Genuinely, if they are going to give you mice-sized servings, shouldn’t they put it on a plate that isn’t twelve inches in diameter?

Asher and I share a look of disappointment before we crack up laughing. The waiter looks at us uneasily before Asher shakes his head and stands up. He fishes into his pocket, dropping several hundred dollar bills onto the table before offering me his hand.

“Let’s get the fuck out of here.”

I nod happily, as we practically make a break for it. Though, I don’t know why we’re rushing, it’s not like we didn’t pay. Regardless, I’m caught up in the fun of it. It feels as if I’m living out a fantasy, running away from every stuffy and underserved meal I ever had with my father. I’m sure Asher has a feeling akin to that as well.

The gesture was so sweet and would have likely made any other woman swoon. A fancy restaurant, being wined and dined by Asher Putnam, surely is on any woman in Salem’s bucket list. Unfortunately for me, the shine of the hundred-dollar plates and million-dollar egos in that restaurant is something I’ve never had a desired taste for.

When the valet brings us Asher’s car, he shakes his head as he rests it against his seat before looking at me.

“I’m sorry,” he says, his smile fading. “I don’t even know why I tried to take you to a place like that. I’m sure you hate them as much as I do.”

I shrug. “It’s fine. I was happy there.”

“Not as happy as you could be, and I should have known that. I was nervous. I didn’t know how to impress you or show you that this…” he trails off, gesturing between us. “I want it to work. I want you, and I want you happy.”

My small smile transforms into what feels like a megawatt grin, as I lean over and press my lips to his. When I pull away his eyes look dazed, his body language relaxed.

“I’m happy, right here, with you.”

“Good,” he says, almost like a whisper to himself. “Now, how about we go somewhere that will actually feed us?”

I laugh and nod my agreement as Asher puts the car in drive, heading for the other side of town.

Two bacon cheeseburgers, two chocolate milkshakes, and one large chili cheese fry later, Asher and I are sitting in his car, having a greasy food feast. I asked him at least half a dozen times if he was sure he wanted to eat in his most prized possession, but he said that it was okay. Still, I’m taking each bite with the utmost care.

A comfortable silence settles over us with the soft sound of a song playing through the speakers. My eyes light up as I make eye contact with Asher and see a small grin on his face. Notwasting a second, I crank the volume almost all the way to the max before I begin belting the song.

“Just a small town girllll! Living in a lonely worldddd!”

Asher smiles and shakes his head as I continue, egging him on to join me. Unfortunately, he leaves me hanging. I roll my eyes as I continue singing the classic. How can you not love this song?! It gets to the chorus, and I hold my hands out for him as I wiggle my fingers, practically begging him to join. He continues shaking his head before I pick up my shake, using it as a microphone as I sing into it before shoving it in Asher’s face.

He looks down at it unimpressed before he takes me by surprise, belting the next line.

“Don’t stop believin’!”

“Hold on to the feelin’,” I sing with a smile.

“Streetlights, peopleeeeeeeee!”

We both fall apart into a fit of laughter as I set the milkshake down, and Asher reaches over for me, lifting me into his lap. My body is crammed against the steering wheel before he scoots the seat back, giving me a little more room. I feel his hand reach behind me and turn down the music to its original volume.

“God, I fucking love you,” he laughs before his body freezes.

I still, staring down at him with surprised eyes. He doesn’t try to cover or take it back. Doesn’t fumble for his words. Instead, he stays silent, watching me carefully.

“You do?” I ask on a whisper.

He rolls his lips together before his grasp on my hips tighten.

“Yeah, princess. I do. I know I don’t deserve to. I don’t even deserve to fucking touch you,” he says as his fingers flex. “But I’ve loved you for longer than I wanted to, longer than I should have, probably.”

He pauses, looking up at the ceiling as he winces.

“When you said it to me that night…when the first time I heard those words come from your mouth was in that moment, and Iknew what I had to do next to protect us, to protect you.” Asher swallows roughly and shakes his head before his eyes come to mine.

“I think about that night, every minute of the day. I’m so sorry, Princess. So fucking sorry.”

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