Humor gleams in Yayoi’s eyes.
I giggle uncontrollably as I lean closer to Asher. “Are you ashamed of your sluttiness, Ash?”
He gives me a flat stare. “No. It’s just— That isn’t—”
“Isn’t what?”
“I... like women. I always have.” He lowers his voice. “The only part they ever want to give me is their bodies. I take what I can get.”
The amusement dies as those words stab through me. What is he even talking about? He’s got some weird truths spilling out tonight. What is up with him?
He wantsserious, but he thinks women only want a physical relationship. That can’t be right. He’s so... perfect. I mean, that’s not the right word, obviously. No one’s perfect. But I always imagined that when the time came for him to want to settle down, he’d have his pick of women. He oozes confidence in that sexy, effortless way. Normal women—i.e. those who are capable of earnest emotions—love that shit, right?
What am I missing here?
What other hang-ups is he hiding in there?
More importantly, how do I fix it?
“Asher—”
“Don’t.” He rubs his face. “I don’t even know why I told you that. Forget I said it. We’re just having fun tonight, right?”
Empathy is a bitch. Suddenly, I’m inundated by a needto take care of him, to put a smile back on his face. Despite all the safeguards I’ve installed to keep people at arm’s reach, Asher has snuck his way onto my People Who Matter list.
Nudging his arm, I shoot him a devious smile. “I like that we’re both a little slutty.”
His answering grin peeks through. “I’m not anymore.”
“That only means you’re not having as much fun as me.”
The server arrives, and I order sake bombs for the entire table and a fruity drink in a keepsake mug for Geoff. I deliver on my promises. He’s gettin’ lit tonight, and Yayoi is getting lucky.
And then I order more water for us all.
Because responsibility.
The waitress leaves, and the girls yammer on about the coming drinks, name dropping bars where they’ve trashed themselves on fancy libations.
Asher eyes me, suspicious. “Sake bombs. What are you doing?”
“Alcohol is the best lube, Asher.”
He lifts a finger. “As a gynecologist, I thoroughly disagree.”
“Oh, you’re a gynecologist?” asks the girl beside Asher, then touches his arm.
“Uh. Yeah.” In a skillful maneuver, he slides his entire body away from her.
Brunette giggles and flips her perfectly curled hair. “So, you’re like... a pussy expert?”
Oh, no. She didn’t, did she?
So hard not to laugh.
Geoff chokes on nothing. Yayoi abruptly announces she has to go to the bathroom and leaves the table.
Asher merely freezes, then turns to me. “Help me,” he says through his teeth.
