Page 23 of Forbidden Mischief
I swallow, hard.
I look at Dexter. He doesn’t say anything right away. He just reaches out his hand.
“Asher, I’m so happy you found your fated mate,” he says, his voice steady, warm even. “I know how serious that is in wolves. To my knowledge, my son hasn’t been with a male, so… take it easy on him.”
I stare at his outstretched hand for a beat before I shake it, my grip firm, though my nerves are on edge.
He nods at me, then looks over at Zayne, his gaze softening. “This is serious, son. I know you probably have a lot of questions, and I don’t have all the answers, but I’ll do my best. And Alice is here, too. Just go at your own pace. Don’t just shut it down. Having a fated mate is a powerful thing, even if we don’t have them as warlocks.”
Zayne gives a small nod, his voice steady despite the anxiety I know he’s hiding. “I will.”
Dexter looks between us one more time, his expression full of understanding. “Good. We’ll leave you two to it. You have some things to figure out, I’m guessing.” He stands, glancing at Alice. “Come on, Alice baby. We can go watchHope Floatsin our room, and I’ll rub your feet.”
Alice stands with a smile, walking toward Dexter. “You two take care of yourselves. Don’t stress too much, okay?”
With that, they leave the room, the door closing softly behind them, leaving me and Zayne alone in the sudden quiet.
CHAPTER 12
ZAYNE
I’m lying on the couch, flipping through my phone, when I hear footsteps behind me. The familiar creak of the floorboards gives it away—Asher. He always does that. It's funny how even the little things he does have become something I’m more attuned to now.
“Hey,” he says, leaning against the doorframe. I glance up, and he’s standing there, looking effortlessly casual in a way that drives me insane. “Got a minute?”
“Always for you,” I say without thinking, offering a grin I can’t hold back.
He chuckles, running a hand through his messy hair, looking almost nervous. It's a rare sight, and it makes me wonder if he knows the effect he has on me. “So, uh…” He hesitates for a second, then his words spill out quickly, like he's been rehearsing them in his head for hours. “Pru and Harley are going to the movies tonight, and I was thinking…” He trails off, waiting for me to catch on.
“You want me to go with you guys?” I ask, trying to keep my voice neutral, but my pulse betrays me, picking up a little speed.
“Well…” He scratches the back of his neck, his blue eyes meeting mine with that familiar glint. “I was thinking maybe we could go… as a date.”
I blink, feeling my heart skip a beat. Did he just say that? Asher wants to go out with me… on a real date? It’s not exactly a just us date, but it’s almost like a double date, and I’m getting ahead of myself.
“A date?” I repeat, trying to play it cool, but my voice comes out a little breathless.
“Yeah,” he says, stepping closer, his gaze softening. “If you’re free. I mean, I get it if you’re busy. But…” He shrugs like he’s trying not to care, but I can see the hope in his eyes.
It hits me all at once. I don’t even have to think about it. The butterflies are already flapping in my stomach, and I can’t stop the smile creeping onto my face.
“I’m free,” I say, barely able to contain the excitement in my voice. “I’d love to.”
Asher’s expression changes, and for a moment, it’s like the world slows down. His lips curl into a grin that’s so wide it almost makes me forget how to breathe. “Yeah?” He’s practically glowing, and I realize, in this moment, how much I’ve been hoping for this—hoping forhim.
“Yeah,” I repeat, my smile matching his. “It’s a date.”
His grin widens. “Great. The movie starts at seven.”
“Perfect,” I say, feeling a warmth spread through me I can’t quite explain. It’s more than just excitement; it’s hope. Hope for something more between us.
As he turns to leave, I catch his eye one last time. “Asher…”
He pauses and looks back, waiting for me to finish.
“I’m looking forward to it,” I say, my voice quieter now, but the words feel like they hold more weight.
“Me too,” he says, his smile softening, and then he’s gone, leaving me with nothing but the sound of my racing heart and the feeling that this is the start of somethingreal.
