“We were honest,” he says.
“That’s what I said too, but Darlene thinks we should have mentioned that we are…that we…that–”
“That we slept together?” He asks, finishing the words I can’t seem to say out loud.
“Yeah,” I answer.
“I’m sorry, but how is that Jaylen’s business?” he asks.
“I mean, I am his sister, and you are his best friend,” I say.
“I get that, but I doubt he wants to know about our bedroom life,” he says.
I study him for a moment. “What did you guys talk about at the pub?” I ask. “When I was in the bathroom.”
“You,” he answers. “And how he doesn’t want to see you hurt, and neither do I.”
“Anything else?” I ask, and he takes another sip.
“Just that he thinks we should keep things PG-13,” he says, and my jaw drops.
“He said that?” I ask, and Ash nods. I shake my head. “It’s not his business,” I say.
“That’s what I literally just said,” he agrees.
I remove the sauce from the heat and pour it over the pasta. We add grilled chicken to it and more parmesan cheese before loading the pasta bowls up and making our way to the table. Asher digs in, but I find myself just swirling the pasta around my fork.
“What is it?” he asks.
I sigh. “I just…I don’t know…maybe she’s right, you know? Omission is lying, and if he finds out that we have passed second base?—”
“Second base?” he asks, with a smirk.
“I don’t know,” I wave my fork in the air, noodles attached. “I just…”
“We will talk to him,” Asher says, and I feel a sliver of relief. “I want to wait until after the grand opening of the speakeasy. The last thing we need is drama on opening day. Is that fair?” he asks.
“Yes,” I tell him.
“Okay. Good. Now can we please stop talking about your brother?” He asks, and I smile.
“Gladly,” I answer, digging into the alfredo.
Chapter 36
Asher
The Gatsby underground is buzzing.
I have opened multiple hot-spot restaurants and bars in my life, and they’re always pretty busy, but nothing like this. We are at maximum capacity, and there’s a line of people waiting outside to get in. I am not complaining.
The food has been great; every dish is a hit. People are laughing and socializing. The entertainment Jaylen found is a local jazz band called the Golden Harmonics, and they’ve been on fire all night. I’m working the room opposite Jaylen, and everyone I have talked to has had something good to say. But most of the compliments are about the cocktails.
I glance at the bar for the hundredth time tonight to look at Harper. After working with the other bartenders to come up with an innovative cocktail list, it only made sense to have her working the bar tonight. I watch her smiling and moving around, adding beautiful touches to each drink. I can’t help but grin. She is in her element, and I love it.
“She’s really loving it,” Jaylen says, breaking into my thoughts. I look away quickly, fully aware that he caught me ogling.
“She is,” I agree. “I think she was made for it.”
