CHAPTER 12

SKYLAR

I wait until we’re behind closed doors before I smack him in the cement wall that is his chest.

“What the hell was that? ‘Me and my girl need some time alone, if you know what I mean?’” I use air quotes and then use the same two hands to beat on his chest. “Gah!”

I storm into the kitchen and peruse the sad contents of my fridge. An opened bottle of wine with maybe a thimble full of wine remaining. A bag of high-end coffee I brought with me from Atlanta, because I couldn’t risk my picky palate to Detroit’s unfamiliar beans. The only food in this place is an apple I got while on the flight to Detroit. I pick it up and promptly throw it in the trash.

Asher comes up behind me and rests his chin on top of my head. I sigh and lean into him, my anger already diminishing.

“I’ve got a sip of wine or coffee beans. Sorry I’m not a better hostess.”

“Tell you what, I’m on my way to a photo shoot in London, but I have a couple hours before I need to be back at the airport. Let me take you out to dinner, maybe stop to pick up some groceries on the way back. Sound good?”

“Well, I am a little hungry,” I grumble.

“It’s settled then. Know of any good places to eat around here?”

“Matter of fact, there is this one place I know of. They serve a mean burger, and the bartender is definitely your type.”

“Well, what are you waiting for, woman? Let’s get this show on the road.” He tweaks my nose, and I respond by rolling my eyes. He’s such a goofball, but he’s my goofball. I pity the woman who sets her sights on him. He’s my best friend, and I’m not about to let him settle for just any woman. She’ll need to treat him right. Love him unconditionally. And, more importantly, she’ll need to accept me, because I’m not about to go anywhere.

With his hand on my lower back, he guides me out the door. It isn’t until we’ve placed our order that I finally bring up the kiss.

“So, are you going to explain that kiss?” I pick at the corner of my napkin and roll it into a ball between my fingers.

He leans back, hands behind his head as he makes a nervous popping noise with his mouth. “Look, I’m sorry about that. It was just obvious that this was the guy who hurt you, and I saw the way you were looking at him when those elevator doors opened.”

I scrunch up my nose. “What are you talking about? How was I looking at him?”

“You know… You were looking at him like you’re still hung up on him. And he… He just had this weird look on his face.”

“Wait. What kind of look was he wearing?” I’m almost afraid to hear his answer.

“I don’t know. Indifference, maybe. I could have read the situation all wrong. It all happened so fast, and I guess I just reacted.” He throws up his hands. “I just wanted the guy to see what he was missing.”

I lower my head and prop my chin on top of my crossed arms. “You came all this way to surprise me and decided to help me snag a man? You really are the best friend a girl could ever ask for.”

“Well, I love you, so of course I’d do all that. I’d do anything you asked of me. Within reason, of course,” he adds before raising the bottle of beer to his lips and looking away. “I never would have stood a chance, would I?”

My stomach drops as his words confirm what I’ve suspected all along. I should be flattered he would even want a chance with me. Most girls would fall all over themselves to have Asher Reeves sitting across the table from them asking questions like this. But I’ve never exactly been one of those girls. I stare across the table waiting for his gaze to return to me. My voice is hoarse when I question him. “Ash? What are you saying?”

“Nothing.” He closes his eyes and blows out a heavy sigh. “I’m an asshole. I shouldn’t have said that. I’m sorry.”

“O-kay,” I start slowly. After the weekend I’ve just had, the last thing I’m ready to deal with is for my hot-as-hell best friend to suddenly begin professing his love for me. “So, you’re an asshole, that still doesn’t erase what you just said. Please tell me you’re not trying to say you’re in love with me or something like that,” I add. “I seriously don’t think I can handle that kind of honesty right now. But don’t lie to me, either.”

“Look, if you want honesty, I’ll admit that I like you. Maybe a little more than I should, considering the kind of friendship we have. But it’s not what you’re thinking. Do I love you? Yes. I’d move mountains for you if I could. But I’m also not in love with you. I think maybe I’m in love with the idea of you. Of everything you embody.”

His words sink in and my whole heart smiles, but it doesn’t rival the smile on my face. “Wow. Ash, I don’t know what to say except I’m flattered.” I reach between us and cover his hand with mine. “She’s out there, you know. Somewhere there’s a woman waiting to find a guy like you.”

He harrumphs and leans back against the booth. “He likes you, you know.”

I shake my head and sigh, and about that time our food is delivered. I pop a few fries in my mouth and replay the events of the weekend over in my head.

“He’s sending out mixed signals. One minute he’s all ‘let’s be friends,’ and the next he’s in his underwear sleeping with his arms around me.”

“Whoa.” He lowers his burger to look at me. “So, you’re saying it finally happened? I have to admit, I’m pretty shocked. That’s not your usual MO. That’s more my speed in a relationship.”

“No.” I throw a fry and it lands on his chest, and he picks it up and pops it in his mouth. “We didn’t have sex. I was just really drunk and he stayed with me. It’s no big deal. It was just something he used to do when we were dating. If I had a bad night with my mom, I’d tell him about it and he’d sneak through my window and lie with me.”

Ash is silent, but I can hear the wheels spinning in his head.

“What?” I ask between bites of my burger.

“Skylar, guys don’t go out of their way to do things like that. Not most guys, anyway.”

“What are you talking about? You would do the same for Samantha or me,” I argue.

“Yeah, but that’s different. We’re the Amigos. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for the two of you.” He smiles warmly.

I reach over and cover his hand with mine. “I know, and trust me, it means the world to both of us.”

“All I’m saying is, I get the impression this guy’s still hung up on you. Maybe there’s still something there after all.” He winks and takes an enormous bite of his burger.

I shift my gaze to the row of stools that surround the bar top. My eyes land on a familiar back. What’s not familiar is the woman’s hand that’s currently resting between his muscular shoulder blades. She’s leaning forward, saying something to him, and his head is angled down in order for him to hear her over all the noise. I freeze, burger hanging in mid-air, and wish like hell I’d stayed home and munched on cold coffee beans. Their bitterness wouldn’t leave me feeling nearly as sick as the sight of her hand does.

Asher’s eyes follow mine, but he doesn’t say anything; he just motions for the check and drops forty dollars on the table without even looking at the bill. He guides me out of the bar, strategically positioning himself between Scott and me as we brush past him.

True to his word, we stop by a grocery store and pick up a few essentials. After they’ve all been unpacked and put away in my temporary kitchen, I walk him to the door and fall into his arms as I finally give in and cry. He rubs my back and waits for me to settle down.

“It’s going to be okay, Skylar. Guys in his position are getting hit on all the time. The same thing used to happen to me. It’s usually no big deal. Give it a day or two, and then try talking to him.”

“Am I ever going to get over him?” I mumble into his chest.

“Honestly? I don’t know. Maybe this is one of those cases where you can’t move forward until you’ve settled unfinished business.”

My brow arches in surprise. “Are we talking about S-E-X?” I spell out the word.

“What are we? Ten?” He laughs and tweaks my nose. “Yes, I’m talking about sex. I’m just saying, maybe it’s something to think about. I hate to run, but my ride is probably already waiting outside.” He gives me a kiss, but it’s on the forehead this time. “I love you, Ned.”

My smile broadens because I love that he pulls out my nickname during times like this. “Love you right back, Dusty. Be safe.” I kiss three fingers and hold them in the air. Three fingers to represent the Three Amigos. Ash repeats the gesture before heading for the stairwell. “Text me when you get to London!”

“Of course,” he calls over his shoulder, and then he’s gone.