Page 7 of Midnight Moon
“A few scars won’t kill you.”
“No, but a broken heart might.” Chase pouted.
I leaned forward and laughed, enjoying the back-and-forth banter more than I would’ve thought.
Chase grinned, clearly enjoying the conversation as well, but his smile faltered when he saw something over my shoulder.
Before I could ask what was wrong, a deep voice behind me said, “We’re leaving.”
The smoky timbre of the newcomer’s voice sent tingles up and down my spine. I straightened and turned to identify the source of the hauntingly enticing sound.
The noise in the bar dulled to a faint buzz as I drank in the most stunning male specimen I had ever seen.
A head full of rich chocolate-colored hair sat between two muscular shoulders, covered by a sleek button-down shirt. Corded, tan forearms flexed beneath rolled cuffs, and a five o’clock shadow covered his chiseled jawline. The man exuded strength and confidence, and I was… entranced.
My silent admission snapped me out of my sudden daze.
The bar’s boisterous noise returned to its normal volume, bringing with it my good sense.
Had I really lost myself in checking out a guy?
I shook my head.
Get it together, Blair.
“Asher,” Chase stepped around me and clasped a hand on the handsome man’s shoulder. “There you are. I was looking all over for you.”
The man, Asher, grunted, “Sure, you were.”
“I was,” Chase continued, “but then I ran into Blair. Blair, this is the friend I was telling you about, Asher.”
“Nice to meet you.” I was proud of myself for finding my voice. The sight of the guy had stolen the air from my lungs.
Asher didn’t so much as look at me. In fact, he hadn’t looked at me once since he’d arrived. “Same to you. Chase, let’s go. We have somewhere to be.”
“One minute. I promised Blair I’d buy her another drink,” he lied, moving to my side and putting a hand on my back as if to lead me to the outdoor bar.
“We both know you didn’t,” Asher said, sounding as if he was fed up with his friend’s antics—like Chase was an errant child and he a reluctant caregiver.
“Fine. I didn’t,” Chase admitted, “but I need a minute.”
“No, you don’t. Let’s go or we will be late.” Asher turned on his heel and started walking towards the exit. He didn’t even spare a glance to see if Chase followed.
“Geez, is that asshole your boss or something?” Sass dripped over the words. I didn’t think I’d ever met anyone so rude.
Chase cringed just as Asher whipped his head back around, piercing me with the brightest pair of blue eyes I’d ever seen.
I lifted my eyebrows, startled Asher had been able to hear me above the noise around us. I must’ve spoken louder than I thought.
A normal person might have offered an apology for the insult, but I was guilty of inheriting my father’s penchant for stubbornness. Instead, I met Asher’s intense stare with a determined one of my own. Let him call me out on my comment. I would love to put him in his place.
Asher glared at me like someone who didn’t have the patience—or manners—to bother to behave like a decent person. His nostrils flared, and he seemed ready to stand his ground.
Then, with no warning, his demeanor changed.
Asher’s expression morphed from anger, to surprise, to… intrigue. I could think of no better way to describe the glint in his gaze.
His gorgeous blue eyes revealed each emotion in quick succession before quickly schooling themselves back to indifference.
