Asher

She's nervous. It's cute when she's nervous with me, but it's not okay that this shit is making her feel this way.

I don't want to call her on it because I'd scare her off. She's not oblivious though, so I think I'd make it worse if I said anything.

I don't, as I opt to stay close by her.

I see the same people who never leave, or who leave to get shiner things to come back with next time.

I put my hand on her shoulder to lead her through the restaurant to the back tables outside. Madison lets me, and I fucking love it. It feels right, her and me together.

Part of me, the small part that should have been stomped out a long time ago, is hyper aware of the people around us though. Not that I give a shit about what they think, but I don't want to deal with Dad today.

He'll want updates on my progress and treat Madison like the less than perfect woman she is. I could forgive the former, but the second will give me reason to show this Club a side of me they've never seen before.

When we reach the table, I pull out the chair for her, and her deep brown eyes are bigger than I've ever seen them.

And I see them often. In the hallways. In my dreams.

I don't want her to be intimidated by the place. The only thing that would be worse is if she was impressed by it. Thank God the Madison I hope to know better isn't like that and isn't that kind of girl.

"Did you change your mind? Are you hungry"

Madison is too busy looking around to really hear me, or at least I think that's the case until she turns to me.

I could die with her looking in my direction and be happy. I swear it's true. She looks at me like I'm somebody, not just somebody by association.

"I could eat some fries maybe?"

"If you like burgers, I could get you one worth having."

"I don't know if I should trust you with my burgers yet."

I lean over closer and watch her lips part as I do. "You can trust me with anything."

I watch her swallow, and it takes everything in me to sit back and not go across the table and taste the lips I've been teased by for so long.

I'm not going to rush this though. I can't. She's too important.

"I trust you," she says, "but this will tell me whether or not I should." She smiles again, and my heart beats faster for it. It's lethal. She could kill with that smile if she wanted to.

I get the waiter's attention and he comes over. He's new, younger, around our age, maybe a few years older.

I see him notice Madison, and I see him smile big. Not okay. No fucking way.

"Can I get you all something?" the prick says, not even bothering to look at me. The father's son I am wants to tell him to get a fucking clue who he's talking to, but I'm not that guy. I don't throw my name around when my weight could do it.

I don't call him on it. Not yet, but I do bark out the order. "Two Cali specials, no tomatoes, extra sauce."

The kid turns my way at the tone I give him and he has the brains to look intimidated. It should have been there before he got to the table, but he didn't notice me for looking at her, and I don't blame the bastard.

When he walks away, Madison turns to me. "Do you bark too?" She's smiling when she says it.

"Only when given reason."

She laughs, and it's the most beautiful thing I've ever heard.

I sense someone heading are way before I turn to see who it is.

Casting a glance over my shoulder, I feel my muscles relax when I realize it's my mother. My heart warms seeing her. It's a good day if she's here, and she looks good. There's color in her cheeks and she smiles at me.

I stand to greet her, kissing one cheek. She's half my size, but she's no one's punching bag, not even my father's, and I love her for it.

"Mother."

"Darling." She feels too small in my arms, and my stomach hurts. I feel the change of going from a high of being around Madison to the rollercoaster low of falling back to earth hard.

I'm fucking grateful to have my mother for as long as God lets me, but I get sick thinking of any kind of life without her.

"Madison, this is my mother, Carolyn Brent."

Madison stands with her hand stretched out. My mother goes around the table and hugs her, and I see Madison's face as she does. She's shocked at first but hugs her back, looking at me with a slight shrug.

I never talked to my mother about Madison, but I never bring girls here either. I guess Mom can tell.

"It's good to meet you sweetheart."

"Join us?" I ask, knowing she won't but I'd be okay if she did. Because it's her.

"No, that's all right. Far be it for me to interrupt a date."

"It's not a date," Madison says quickly, and I look at her to gauge her reaction to what is unfortunately the truth.

"Yeah, we're here to study," I say.

"And with no books? My, what scholars," Mom says, with a laugh. Madison blushes and it's adorable.

"We're getting there," I add, saving Madison the trouble of having to explain.

"Well I'll leave you to it," she says, and kisses me on the cheek. "I'll see you at home," she whispers to me before leaving.

"She's sweet," Madison says as soon as she leaves. "You're lucky."

I pause, and I look at her before speaking. "I am."