Page 21 of The Consequence of You
“What could I do? I just handed him a napkin and got out of there as quickly as I could.”
“I’ll never be able to look at a vanilla Frappuccino with whipped cream in the same way again.”
Josh rolls his eyes at me dramatically, and I’m surprised to realise I actually feel genuinely happy. Fuck, when was the last time I allowed myself have fun with anyone other than Dahlia? I reach over to pat Josh’s arm insympathy when my seat is knocked into, and my drink splashes out of my glass all over my hand.
I jump up before the cold liquid can run off the bar.
“Shit,” Josh exclaims before grabbing a towel from behind the bar. He frantically mops up my drink.
Turning to see who knocked into me, I find Asher Fucking Pennington standing next to me in all his sinful splendour. His usual blond quiff is slicked back, not a hair out of place. His black polo shirt is stretched over his chest, and the sleeves show off his perfectly formed biceps. He’s frowning at me like he has more reason than me to be pissed off right now.
“Tell the help to fuck off.” His crisp British accent is cutting.
“Excuse me?”
“Tell. The. Help. To. Fuck. Off.” He enunciates every word as though I’m stupid.
“Oh, I heard you, you classist fuck.”
Who the hell does this pompous twat think he is? Joshua moves on to drying the sleeve of my top, and Asher’s expression darkens further.
“Barkeep. Get your hands off her.” At Asher’s words, Joshua hesitates, his eyes flicking between the two of us. Despite how intimidating Asher is, Joshua stands his ground.
“Callie, is everything okay here? Do you want me to have this man removed from the bar?” Before I can answer, Asher throws back his head in laughter.
“If anyone needsremoving, it’s you,” he retorts. “I don’t think your employer would be too impressed to see your unwashed hands on his daughter. And it’s Miss Messina to you.”
“Are you being serious right now?” I look at Asherincredulously before turning to Joshua. “Ignore him. Please continue to call me Callie. If I had a problem with that, I’d have told you.”
Joshua takes a step back as he eyes me wearily.
“No, he’s right, Miss Messina. I overstepped. Let me get you a fresh drink. Would your friend like one too?”
Asher’s smile is tight but there’s a clear look of satisfaction on his face.
“I’ll take a Macallan 18 with plenty of ice, please. And Miss Messina will have a Virgin Mary.”
“Excuse me?” I blanch at the sheer gall of the man. “Josh, I would not like a Virgin Mary. I hate tomato juice with a passion. I will just have another glass of water, thank you.”
Josh shuffles off to prepare our drinks and I turn to face Asher.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“You need some vitamins. You’re looking pale. And, now you mention it, you look a little tired.”
“I didn’t mention it. And fuck you, Asher. It’s been a long week; I was over here enjoying a nice conversation with a friend, and I don’t need you telling me I look like shit.”
“On the contrary, you don’t look likeshit. Unfortunately, you look quite pleasing, your glow is just a little…off. And for the record, if your daddy is paying them, they’re not actually your friend.”
“Wow. You’re something else, you know that?” There’s a flash of something in his eyes, but before I can decipher what that something is, he’s back to his arrogant, cocky self.
“Yes. Yes, I am, and I make no apologies for it.”
I let out a long sigh. He’s infuriating, and he’s ruined the perfectly lovely time I’d been having with Joshua.
“What do you want, Asher?”
“Your second bodyguard. The new one. He’s not up to par. I’ve informed Rossi.” I glance over my shoulder at my old bodyguard who is watching us with interest but has made no move to come over and intervene. I flick my eyes to Carlo whose cheeks are flushed and notice that he won’t meet my gaze. “You’re welcome.”
