Page 11 of The Confidant

“You’ll get there,” I pat him on the shoulder in commiseration. Meanwhile, I’m giddy as hell.

Could he be the one?

Instant attraction? Oh yes. But, anything else?

The thought stymies me. I don’t know him. He’s barely spoken to me despite his attention. Something that feels natural when he’s right in front of me. A little creepy when he’s not, and my brain starts overthinking everything. I’ve had a few heartbreaks. Who hasn’t? I’m pretty sure, with my weakness whenever he’s around, he could break it easily.

I go back and forth in my head, weighing the pros and cons of something that might never happen. Before I know it, it’s past four o’clock, and no one else has come in. This is worse than a slow day. It’s a nonexistent day.

I end up sending Damon home and closing early. Then I stand outside staring into the windows of my shop with a sad sigh. I’m pathetic.

Good things end just as easily as bad ones. I’m just disappointed that my pride and joy has to be closed. I feel like I barely got started here, and it’s already over. Four years was a good run. I can find another safe space to hang out.

All good things to tell myself that don’t perk up my mood in the slightest.

“Dinner?”

I jump in surprise and spin around.

Asher watches my heart attack with a muted smile. I swear he’s determined to scare me to death. Paybacks for all the pranks I pull on him.

From his messy blond hair to his torn-up running shoes, he’s a familiar and welcome sight after the day’s dull closing events. I barely see him now that he has his angel and the two other pieces that make up the cake of his life.

I’m convinced that Ash is the slightly too-firm cake, his angel is the filling, and the other two men are the frosting and sprinkles to add more sweetness to the deal.

Asher says they’re the ball and chain of his relationship, but I know he doesn’t mean it. They balance him out. Take some of the weight off his shoulders. He can’t hide that from me. Besides, he likes them just fine if they’re still above ground.

“Damn it, Asher!”

My surprise to see him after a few weeks of being MIA is tempered by my disappointment. I was hoping that the invitation would come from someone else.

Like Poe would stick around to wait for me to get off work. That’s a little crazy since I’ve seen him twice, and he doesn’t even know my name. But the hope was still there.

I deflect those negative thoughts by harassing my little bro.

“I thought your angel, whom I still haven’t met, by the way, consumed your every waking hour. No time for dinners with your big sis and fat crocodile tears.” I give him a fake sniffle to really sell the depression.

“She’s pregnant.”

My jaw drops, the sad act following. I don’t know which emotion to settle on. There’s panic. My baby brother’s girlfriend is pregnant. And elation. My baby brother’s girlfriend is pregnant!

I have to take a deep breath before I explode with emotions. For once, Ash looks just as dumbstruck as any other guy would. Under it all is a glow of sheer happiness I never thought I would see. A few tears escape me, and I yank him to me so I can hug the crap out of him.

“Congratulations!”

“I’m right next to you. Stop screaming,” he grits out, his arms stiff at his sides.

He doesn’t return the hug. I know he doesn’t like being touched by anyone, but I can’t help myself. I love the little jerk, and one day, he will hug me back. I know it. I’ve been working on it for a long time.

He shows no signs of relenting in his no-touching zone. It hurts in a poking the bruise way I’ve sadly gotten used to.

I let him go to gush in excitement, hiding away that slight sting of rejection.

“Boy? Girl? Is she ok? What do you need? Can I meet her now?”

The rush of questions is never-ending, and he endures it in his usual cold style. I’m so excited I’m bouncing around like a raccoon.

“It’s too early to tell. I don’t need anything, and you’re the first person I’ve told, so keep it to yourself.”

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