Page 19 (2/2)

He can tell I’, let me know" I nod and he returns to his position behind the counter

Asher turns the page of the ht you said you’d been here once or twice"

I shrug, not ready to veer down that path Aard silence builds and we flip through the menus By the time the waitress shows up to take our order, I wonder if Asher’s going to tell her we’re leaving

She poises her pen above the order book "What can I get y’all?"

Asher taps his fingers on his lips and I catch A her own as she eyes his mouth "What exactly are Rocky Mountain oysters?" he asks her

I restrain a laugh as Amy’s face twists in confusion

"Well… I think they’re a kind of meat I’m not sure what kind, but I like theainst her chin

I shake my head at Asher "You don’t want those Trust ravated look "They’re not bad I ood" I feel bad for her Kind of She leans over the table and her boobs practically pop out of her top "Look, sweetie, get whatever you want, okay?" she says to Asher

Asher’s gaze connects with "

Grinning, I lean over the table, cup my hand around his ear, and whisper what Rocky Mountain oysters are

His eyes bulge as I sit back in er with extra mayo"

"I’ll have the chicken sandwich and a coke" I shut my menu and Amy snatches it out of my hand She takes Asher’s menu more delicately and saunters off to the order

"Thank you," he says with a smile

I rest my elbows on the table "For what?"

"For not letting h and then silence builds again A wo out the lyrics to Faith Hill’s "This Kiss" froainst the microphone stand The whole scene is super cheesy, but I start to relax, like I’one for three years

"My dad and I used to coives ers in front of hih people, the smoky atmosphere, and the bar lined with bikers "How old were you?"

"I was four the first tiht me down here, and it kept up until I was sixteen--until he died, basically," I say "My dad really liked his Jack Daniels"

"So did my dad… Well, actually it was Jis soft invisible kisses to my skin "See, that wasn’t so hard and we learned we have so in common"

"I’ some salt off the table "I just like my space for personal reasons"

"Except for e’re in the art room," he teases

"Yeah, I blame it on the paint fumes," I retort, playfully "They fucked withupward as he crosses his arms on the table and leans in "I know you like your personal space and I actually kind of like that about you You’re not always giggling and trying to run your fingers throughabout Raven "Souys like that"

"No, they don’t" He flicks his tongue ring against his teeth and I bite down on ive et to know you"

My chest squeezes with elation, but thankfully my voice holds a steady rhythm "What do you want to know about me?"

He rolls the peppershaker between his hands "How long have you known Raven?"

I shrug "Since ere born"

"Does she always act so…" he trails off

"Slutty?" I finish for hi sound that’s ever graced ht that’d make me sound like a jerk She’s a little intense, and that whole thing with Garrick How did she even meet him?"

"At the same party I met him," I explain "But I have no idea why she ith hiether and studies the cracks in the table "When Garrick had a hold of you at school… you looked like you were going to pass out"