Page 12 of Midnight Moon
I stopped walking. Stephanie bumped into me.
“Ow. Blair? You okay?” She stepped in front of me, freeing me from the hold of Asher’s stare.
My mind jumpstarted, clearing away the senseless fog I’d been caught in. “Yeah, I’m fine. Sorry about that.”
Stephanie frowned, then looked over her shoulder to where I’d been staring. “Ah,” she exhaled with understanding. “Got it.”
Without another word, she looped her arm through mine and proceeded to drag me past where Asher and Chase stood. I focused my attention on the asphalt.
“Gentlemen.” Stephanie dipped her head in the direction of the patio, clearly recovered from her earlier bout of speechlessness.
Instinct screamed at me to avoid looking at them, but I ignored it. Lifting my gaze, I focused on Chase. He returned my stare, but it wasn’t friendly and open like earlier.
Instead, Chase looked… almostregretful?
My forehead creased.
Why would he look at me that way?
In search of an answer, my eyes flickered to Asher.
I was met by the back of his thick head of hair as he walked off the outdoor patio without a backwards glance.
Disappointment poured over me, threatening to pull me under.
Chase turned to watch his friend walk away, a deep frown pulling at his lips. Then, he looked back at us. He lifted a hand in the air before swiftly following Asher inside the bar.
Stephanie released a pent-up breath. “Yikes. That guy is a real charmer.” She resumed pulling me towards the parking garage, easily brushing off the interaction.
I wasn’t so lucky.
I kept silent the entire way back to the Jeep and didn’t say much on the drive back to pack lands. Thoughts of Asher swirled in my mind, taking up far too much of my time.
I mean, I’djustmet the guy.
Sure, he was attractive, but his first impression was nothing short of horrible. All evidence said he was arrogant and rude.
I rested my forehead against the cool window and closed my eyes, releasing a frustrated sigh.
If all that was true, then why couldn’t I get the guy out of my head?
“You okay?” Stephanie asked from the driver’s seat. I opened my eyes. She hit the clutch and shifted gears as we turned onto the unpaved road leading to our family homes.
“I’m fine.”
“It was that guy, wasn’t it? Asher.” My best friend knew me too well. “What did he say to you?”
“Nothing important,” I replied honestly. It was his presence that left me rattled, not his words.
“Well, whatever happened, try not to let it bother you. Guys like that are all the same.”
“Guys like what?”
“Egotistical hotties who think they’re better than everyone else.” She turned into her driveway and cut the Jeep’s engine, rotating in her seat to face me. “It’s late. You don’t have to tell me what’s wrong, but don’t let it distract you. You have a big day tomorrow.”
I straightened.
Stephanie was right.
