Page 106 of Third Time Lucky

I shake my head. ‘I’m not even gonna help you. Time for you to grow up, little bro. Deal with it and leave.’

He cocks his head, looking less than thrilled with me.

‘Fine. I’ll just figure it on my own,’ he says, backing away slowly. ‘I didn’t need help anyway, I was just… checking in?’ He glances around, nodding his head approvingly. ‘But everything seems good here, so off I trot.’ He turns on his heel and practically sprints away, not daring to look back.

Lucy watches him go with a slight smirk before turning her attention back to me. ‘He’s a lot of work, isn’t he?’

I chuckle, feeling relieved that Aaron is finally out of the picture. ‘Like a puppy on his first night in his forever home.’

‘One of those hyper types,’ Lucy agrees. ‘Did he really do this to Madi?’

‘I don’t know. Knowing Aaron, probably.’

She sighs heavily, throwing the axe in her hand and nailing it dead center. ‘Shit,’ she groans. ‘You know how I wanted this date to end?’ she turns, asking me.

‘How?’

‘With sweet nothings whispered into my ear and a kiss that curls my toes?’

My jaw drops. ‘I drove you here. Maybe he ruined the mood at this location, but we can still end this date – the best date of my life with the most stunning woman I’ve ever met – any way we want.’

Her smile widens into one of pure sweetness, lighting up the dimly lit bar and making my heart skip a beat. She chuckles softly, a blush painting her cheeks.

‘Always wise. Let’s do that then, handsome.’

34

LUCY

As we make our way back to my house, my phone vibrates for the third time. I quickly glance at the screen and see that it’s Madi calling. When it stops ringing, a text notification pops up on the screen.

Madison

SOS! Seriously, call me, please.

I let out a frustrated sigh.

‘I was so trying to wait to deal with this until you dropped me off, but I don’t think I can,’ I tell Asher, who nods understandingly and keeps his eyes on the road.

‘It’s OK,’ he says. ‘You should take it.’

‘Thank you.’ I dial Madi’s number and she picks up on the first ring, sounding frantic.

‘Finally,’ she says instead of a simple greeting. ‘What took you so long?’

‘Just enjoying my life to the fullest while the world apparently implodes around me. What’s going on?’

Asher smiles at my response, not even glancing my way. He’s so cute.

‘Have you seen Aaron?’ she demands impatiently.

‘Uh, no?’ I lie with ease. ‘Why do you ask?’

‘That asshole! I think he’s ghosting me.’

‘Why would he do that?’ I ask as if I know nothing, because I’d rather not.

‘You didn’t read my texts?!’

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