Page 53 of Outside The Wire

13

ASHER

I woke up very grumpy.

I grinnedat the text as I pushed the cart through the grocery store. I knew she wouldn’t like waking up alone, but if I had stayed, things would have heated up again, and I wouldn’t have been able to stop myself a second time. A man could only hold out so long. So, I kissed her on the lips, wishing I could see that beautiful smile one last time before I slipped out of bed, then locked up and headed home. It nearly killed me, but I’d done it.

Is there any particular reason?

I would think you would know the answer to that, considering you weren’t here this morning.

Yeah,I knew this might cause some issues. A woman didn’t like to feel like she was a booty call, but since I did all the giving lastnight, I figured she couldn’t be too upset with me. I rounded the corner and nearly bumped into a woman because I was too busy paying attention to the three dots bouncing on the screen.

“Sorry,” I mumbled, continuing on my way.

“It’s no problem. Hey, do I know you?”

I tore my gaze from my phone and glanced at the woman, then shook my head. “Nope.” Then my eyes went right back to my phone. As I stood in front of the cereal, I typed out a quick reply.

I want to see you tonight, Holly Bear.

“Areyou sure we’ve never met?” the woman asked again, chuckling as she strolled up to me. “I’m sorry, it’s just that you look so familiar.”

“Sorry, you must be thinking of someone else.”

“No, I could never forget a face as handsome as yours.”

Great. That was just fucking perfect. I was here to do my grocery shopping and this woman was hitting on me. At the fucking grocery store. “Have a nice day,” I said, turning away from her.

I pushed my cart away, hoping she would take a hint. I didn’t want to be rude, but I wasn’t interested in her. Yes, she was beautiful, but there was only one woman I had eyes for, and she was currently replying to my message.

Holly Bear???

I smirked at her reply.

I think it suits you. Because you’re all growly this morning.

Is this where you think calling me a bear will win you points and get you to see me again tonight?

Definitely. Who doesn’t like a cute bear? So, tonight?

That depends.

On what?

“You know, I never do this.”

I stopped pushing the cart and gritted my teeth as I heard the woman laugh softly behind me. The old Asher would have taken this woman home in a heartbeat. He would have fucked her and then walked out without a care in the world. Yes, she would have been devastated, but he wouldn’t have cared. But I wasn’t that guy anymore. I didn’t want to be that prick. I wanted to let a woman down nicely and have it end on a good note. But she was making it fucking impossible.

“My name is Ashley. Maybe we could grab a drink sometime. I know this great place in the city.”

My phone buzzed again and I looked down, tuning out the woman as Holly texted me again.

Aww. Do you need a rescue?

My head snappedup and I looked through the crowd of people in the aisle until I spotted her. She stood at the end, blue hat and all, waving her fingers at me. It was Sunday and she knew I would be here, so she followed me like a little stalker to trap me because I walked out on her.

And I was never so fucking happy to see her.

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