“And now we see why I haven’t brought a date to your party before,” Asher retorted, but she just laughed.
Zach relaxed a little as he took Caroline’s hand. “Well, then, I’m doubly pleased to meet you,” he said, and he gave Asher a playful smile, thinking about the way Mikey hadn’t hesitated to tell Asher that Zach hadn’t brought a boyfriend home before.
“Ash said you’re a lawyer, right? How did you end up at Caldwell and Monroe?” Derek asked, seeming genuinely interested.
“It was partly by luck,” Zach said. “A friend of mine works there, and after I saw Asher argue the Winters case, I knew I wanted to be part of that team.”
“See? I told you he’s a sensible man,” Asher said, beaming proudly at Zach.
“Okay, but the real question is, how is Asher doing as a boyfriend?” Caroline asked, tucking her arm in Zach’s and steering him toward the buffet table. “He’s been single for as long as Derek and I have known him, so he’s new to this whole relationship thing. Is he treating you well?”
Zach glanced over his shoulder at Asher, then looked back at Caroline. She reminded him of his sisters, and he instinctively knew the question was well-meaning, so he didn’t mind answering. “Asher treats me very well,” he replied. “I’m new to the relationship thing myself, but I can’t imagine any way he could treat me any better than he does.”
Caroline nodded, seeming to relax at that. “We worry about him,” she said, leaning close to confide in Zach. “His dad has been such a toxic influence on his life. Derek and I wondered if he’d ever get over his fear of being like Ted and stop avoiding commitments.”
“His father should be ashamed of himself,” Zach said flatly, then shook his head. “If dating me counts as a commitment, then he’s making progress. I’m willing to give him however long he needs, and I’m not going to push. His father tried to push him into being someone he wasn’t, and I’m not going to do the same thing.”
“I thought you must be special if you managed to get Asher to consider dating, and I was right.” Caroline’s smile widened as she looked up at him and hugged his arm. “You’re doing the right thing. Pushing would only make him run. I don’t think he’ll run from you, though. He sounded happy when he told us he was bringing a date to the party.”
Zach thought about everything Asher had told him, not just about his father, but about the escorts and about liking the way Zach responded to him. He wanted to believe Asher thought he was special, but part of him wondered if Asher would have responded the same way if they hadn’t ended up in bed together through a case of mistaken identity.
“I want to make him happy,” he said truthfully. “Because he makes me happier than I ever thought I could be.”
“It looks to me like you’re doing a good job of it so far,” she said, then glanced back at Derek and Asher. “Come on, let’s get you a glass of wine and something to nibble on, and I’ll introduce you around. It looks like the boys have started talking about baseball or football or some kind of ball. Whatever it is, they’ll be useless for the next half hour at least. Do you like white or red?”
Five minutes later, Zach had a glass of white wine in his hand, and Caroline introduced him to everyone, seeming determined to make sure he had a good time. Zach worked on remembering everyone’s names, and by the time Asher rejoined him—a bit chagrined at having gotten caught up in his discussion with Derek—Zach was relaxed enough to eat something without worrying he might embarrass himself. Once the party began winding down, Asher took Zach to say good night to their hosts.
“Good luck handling Ash,” Derek said with a teasing smile as he shook Zach’s hand.
“You’re going to need it,” Caroline said, hugging Zach first, then Asher.
“With friends like these….” Asher grumbled, mock-scowling at them.
Once Asher and Zach were in the back seat of the car, Asher reached for Zach’s hand, twining their fingers.
“That wasn’t so bad, was it?”
“No, it wasn’t,” Zach replied, giving Asher’s hand a squeeze. “Caroline reminds me of my sister Ellie, and Derek was very nice. Everyone was gracious to me.”
“Derek likes you. I think Caroline likes you better than me,” Asher said with a little snort, but he smiled to show he wasn’t serious.
“Caroline cares a lot about you,” Zach said, smiling in return. “They both do, which is a good thing. I’ve been worried you didn’t have anyone at all.”
“Derek and I were roommates in college. He latched on and refused to let go until I accepted the fact that I had a best friend. Caroline became part of a package deal, so I’ve had them for years. And now I have you. Right?” Asher fixed Zach with a questioning look.
“You’ve definitely got me,” Zach replied. “I’ll be here for you as long as you want me to be.”
“That might be a while,” Asher murmured, leaning over and resting his head on Zach’s shoulder. He was quiet a moment, and then he gave Zach’s fingers a squeeze. “I thought we might do something a little different tonight.”
Zach leaned his cheek against Asher’s head, enjoying the closeness. “Oh? What did you have in mind?”
“How would you like to top?”
“What?” The question was so unexpected that Zach blurted his response without thinking. “I mean… that’s something you want?”
“If it’s something you think you’d enjoy.” Asher squeezed his hand again. “I’d like to share that experience with you.”
“I never really thought about it,” Zach admitted. “I mean, you give off a very toppy vibe, so I haven’t considered the possibility. But I’d enjoy anything with you. I want to give you pleasure in any way you’d like.”
