“Who hired you this time?”
“I’m not going to tell you that.”
“Can you at least tell me when they hired you?”
“Maybe.” He hesitated. “Last week.”
“So you could’ve handled this situation before we ever?—”
“I didn’t get the actual video until this morning.” He pressed his finger against my lips, and my heart skipped a beat. “If I could’ve gotten it to her sooner, I would’ve.”
“Like I believe that.”
“You should.” He moved his hand, and I suddenly wanted him to put it back. “Where’s Brandon?”
“It’sBrad.”
“It doesn’t matter.” He smirked. “Are you still together?”
“We’re off and on, but still committed to each other.”
“The word ‘no’ would’ve been a lot easier to say.”
“We both have super busy careers—as you can see—and neither of us believe in long-distance or complicated things, so… When we’re off, we’re off, and when we’re on, we’re on.”
“So, you’reoffright now?” He smiled.
“Did you hear any of what I just said?”
“I heard all of it.” He grabbed a cherry from a passing tray and tossed it into his mouth. “And it sounds like Brad has you brainwashed to believe his bullshit.”
“So, now you’re a relationship expert?”
“If I was, I would’ve told you to dump this guy a long time ago.” He moved closer. “No guy in his right mind would ever accept anything being ‘off’ for any amount of time with you.”
“Don’t try to give me a compliment.”
“It’s a fact.” He eyed my dress. “He’s wasting your time, and you’re wasting yours.”
“So, what do you suggest I do?” I crossed my arms. “Dump him and date you?”
“I don’t date, Katie.”
“I wasn’t saying it literally,” I said. “But for the record, I’m not attracted to you.”
“You’re also a terrible liar.”
“I would never sleep with you.”
“I can’t say I feel the same about that…”
“You’ll never get the chance, Asher.”
“Only because I’d ruin you for every guy after me if I did...” He lowered his voice. “For once, just let me have the last wordbefore I’m tempted to pull you into a closet and give you the hate-fuck you’ve long deserved.”
I bit my tongue, and he stared at me for several moments—tempting me with his perfect eyes, his perfect lips—before he finally walked away.
Seven
