Leaning against the table, I sigh. I know I need to tell them something because these women are relentless. When they want to know something, they won’t stop. Still, when it comes to my love life, or even lack of one, I’ve been more on the private side.
“He treats me well,” I tell them, just to give them something.
“She’s never been one to talk about men. At least, ones who have been around for longer than a couple of hours,” Maggie tells them.
“Wait, you’re private?” Rain asks, surprised.
“I didn’t see that coming,” Kim mutters.
“Why?” Ashley asks.
“I don’t know,” I lie.
“Bullshit. Spit it out,” Rain says, calling me out.
I could lie and just tell them I don’t kiss and tell, but Rain and Maggie know that isn’t true. I have no issues talking about guys who are around only for a few hours. It’s the ones who stick around longer.
No one ever wants to admit that they are worried about jinxing something by talking about it and end up being left.
Internally, I laugh at myself. I bet my therapist would have a field day with me.
“Earth to Aspen. Rejoin us in the land of the living,” Rain says in her best announcer voice, pulling me back into the present.
“If I talk about it, it would make it real, and if it’s real, that means it could hurt if he leaves,” I mutter, not looking at any of them.
The girls are silent for a moment before Rain busts out laughing.
“You think that man is going to leave you? News flash, the only way he’s leaving is if it’s with you on the back of his bike,” Rain says.
Ashley nods. “My brother is obsessed with you. Pretty sure he would rather cause himself physical harm than hurt you.”
I can’t help but smile as I think about it.
She’s not wrong.
“Has he ever made you think that things between you are temporary?” Maggie asks.
“No, never,” I tell them.
Maggie nods. “Then you need to have trust in him and your relationship. Granted, you guys are still new, so it will take time, but we all see it. Don’t get too far into your head that you miss out on being in the present.”
“You’re right,” I tell them.
“We typically are,” Rain teases, making me roll my eyes.
I look back over at Ashley. “Okay, enough relationship talk. I need you to give me shit I can use to blackmail your brother.”
Ashley tips her head back and laughs. “I hate to break it to you, but he’s not the type to let anyone blackmail him. I literally have nothing.”
“Nothing? Not a single thing?” Rain asks.
“Nothing,” Ashley confirms.
“I have a hard time believing that. Even the most noble men have done some stupid shit,” Kim says.
Ashley shakes her head. “No, I’m serious. When Asher was a kid, he never stepped out of line. He always thought about every angle before he ever did anything. He would weigh the risks and the rewards to decide whether it would be worth it. It’s actually pretty fucking annoying.”
I can’t help but smile.
