“Thanks,” I said dryly. “Does this mean you’re staying in Punta Cana for the entire three weeks?”
“Unless we get our secret little job done a lot sooner, yes.”
Before I could tell him that “we” didn’t have a secret little job, the flight attendant moved in front of our row.
“Hi.” She looked at him, her cheeks reddening by the second.
“Hello,” he said.
“Would you like something to drink before takeoff?” she asked.
“Maybe. What do you have?”
“Whatever you want…”
Asher flashed her a different shade of his perfect smile, and she looked as if she was about to combust on the spot.
“I’ll have a shot of bourbon,” he said. “My seatmate would like a cup of green tea. Can you use distilled water for her, though?”
I can’t believe he remembered that.
“Absolutely.” She walked away, and I shook my head.
“I bet it gives you a high to see that everywhere you go, women blush at the sight of you.”
“You must’ve never noticed the way men look at you.” He faced me. “Do you get a high?”
“I don’t pay much attention.”
“Same.”
To prevent myself from extending that conversation, I pulled out my “Upcoming receptions” binder and flipped to the one that was eight months from now.
The Sarah and Charlie Stabler Wedding. Copper Rose Ranch in Livingston, Montana…
“Are you planning to work this entire flight?” Asher asked.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because the other option is talking to you, and I don’t think anything good comes of that after about five minutes…”
“Fair enough,” he said. “Will your plus one be coming to the wedding later?”
“Yes. Brad will be coming during week two.” I lied. “And your plus one?”
He didn’t answer.
He looked at me like I’d just slapped him across the face, and for a moment I considered telling him the truth, but he put in his AirPods.
He didn’t look my way for the entire flight.
Sixteen (B)
PRESENT DAY
ASHER
