Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 68743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
“Meg?”
“Yes?”
“I need to go. And since you don’t really like me, you should lose my number.” Relief filling her, Nikki disconnected the call before Meg could utter another word.
She turned to find Asher had joined her. “Oh! Hi.”
“Hi. Everything okay?” he asked.
She smiled wide. “Actually? Everything is great.” All other things considered. And if she didn’t somehow feel the eyes of everyone in his family on them, she’d kiss him with all the happiness she felt.
Because she’d dumped parts of her she hadn’t realized were weighing her down so badly, from Meg to the career she didn’t love. But mostly because this man had come into her life, and for whatever reason, his grumpy self made her happy.
* * *
Nikki excused herself to take a phone call, leaving Asher alone with Zach. Asher sat beside his brother and looked over, watching her expression as she spoke on the phone. Whoever called was upsetting her.
“Okay, spill.” Zach smacked Asher on the shoulder.
“Nikki is here as a favor to her brother. My friend Derek. You’ve met him.”
Zach inclined his head, his gaze never leaving Asher’s. “I get it. Letting the girl with the naked photos hide out here is the favor. But that’s not what I’m asking.”
Asher raised an eyebrow. “You’re going to have to be more specific.” No way was he giving away such personal information easily. Although knowing his intuitive brother, he’d already figured it out.
“You can’t stop staring at her. How long was she here before you took her to bed?”
Asher stiffened. “None of your damned business.”
At that, Zach burst out laughing. “Thanks for answering my question. She means something to you.”
Asher merely shook his head. “It’s not like that.”
“Then tell me what it’s like? You two keep making eyes at each other when you think no one’s looking. But you’re worried. That much is obvious. If I had to guess? I’d say you’re concerned she’s too young for you and you think Derek will kill you for touching his sister.” Zach leaned back in the recliner and took a sip of the beer he’d brought over with him.
Asher curled one hand around the edge of the lounge. “I don’t get it. You own a bar, you hack like a pro, and you’re intuitive as fuck. What else do you do?” And why did nobody know for sure beyond the bar?
Zach lifted his shoulders. “I make use of the talents I have, bro.”
That was the nonanswer Asher had expected.
“So I’m right?” Zach asked, pushing about Asher’s feelings for Nikki.
“Let’s say you are.” Asher eyed his brother. “Given you are a single, woman-hopping bachelor, what advice do you have for me?” He gave his brother shit, but the truth was, Asher valued Zach’s opinion and his sibling knew it. Ribbing and busting each other’s balls was part of their lives.
Zach raised his hand to shield his eyes from the glare. Even with sunglasses, at this hour of the day, the sun hit at a tough angle. “Hmm. Knowing you, you wouldn’t get involved with an airhead, and I’ve already spoken to her a bit so I know she’s smart. And with her pedigree, she’s probably wise for her age. As for worrying about Derek?” He waved his free hand. “Don’t. You do you. See where this thing goes and deal with the fallout later.”
Not a bad way of thinking about things, Asher mussed. It wasn’t like he’d be able to keep his hands off Nikki anyway.
“Just be prepared for your friend to kick your ass before he comes around to the idea of you two as a couple,” Zach added under his breath but loud enough to be heard.
“Fucking swell.”
Zach laughed. “You have time to figure things out. Just be glad Nikki’s been spared Jade and Aurora visiting.”
Asher cringed at the thought. “They’d be great with her but–”
“They’d be all over your ass, cementing your future.” Zach tilted the bottle and finished what was left of the beer, placing it on the table beside him.
“Hey. It’s not like you’re serious about anyone,” Asher reminded him.
“And it’ll stay that way. But the girls do want us to settle down,” Zach muttered, inclining his head toward Harrison to include him in their sisters’ hopes and dreams.
“And they tell us all the time,” Asher agreed.
As often as all three claimed marriage wouldn’t be happening for them any time soon, it didn’t quite ring true. Wasn’t that what Nick, the traveling bachelor with no home base, had said before finding Aurora and the child he’d never known about?
And hadn’t Jade given up on relationships until Knox had battered down her walls, which had been higher than Asher’s? With two broken engagements, she’d had good reason not to trust. Until she’d found the right man.
Which left him wondering. Despite his and Nikki’s age difference and the fact that her brother would string him up by his balls, could Nikki be that right person for Asher? A warm feeling settled in his chest at the thought, both unnerving him and feeling too fucking good.