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“Yes,” I replied without hesitation “Froood with my hands”

Asher dropped hisin the aisle between our table and the one across from us Ash paid no attention He sat frozen with hisat hiuised desire and a pinch of “WTF is happening here?”

He snapped out of it when a waiter paused to hand it back to him

“Thank you,” he said, clearing his throat noisily as he refocused “That’s good I need your assistance Rather… a bookcase for her home office, and I told her I’d do it for her I’uidance…and body armor But perhaps you could show me hoith a few tools”

I crossed my arms and fixed him with a faux-surprised look “You lied? To your mother?”

“Yes and no It was a fib I’ to rectify with your assistance Once I’ve helped you and ain” He s to eat?”

“Uh…the brussels sprout Caesar and the bolognese How about you?”

“Hmm I’m interested in the Caesar too, but I’m not sure I’ll enjoy it in brussels sprout form That sounds dicey”

I chuckled, pushing e of the table “Take a walk on the wild side, baby Or…we can share the Caesar and order an appetizer to split”

He wrinkled his nose “That’s a lot of sharing And I’d rather taste before co”

“That’s what I’ Two forks, one salad If you don’t like it, I’ll eat the rest”

“Sharing food from the same plate is a chancy endeavor Germs, you know”

“Dude, you’ve had my dick in your mouth Are you really worried about brussels sprout bacteria?”

Asher blinked in surprise “Yes, but that does sound silly, doesn’t it?”

“Very You’re a germaphobe, eh?”

“A little bit” He shrugged when I fixed him with a dismayed stare “Okay, fine More than a little I’ to be clean and—”

“Perfect,” I intercepted

“If possible…yes”

“I understand, but will you trust me on this one?”

He narrowed his gaze as if considering the concept “Yes, but I’d like to divide the salad onto two plates If I don’t enjoy it, I’ll give you the rest of mine”

“Deal”

The waiter showed up on cue to take our order I bit the inside of my cheek to keep my smile in check when Asher asked twenty questions about the source of the fish and the contents in the salad dressing He was friendly and courteous and so rather than annoying That earnest, inquisitive nature was part of Asher’s char to impress anyone; he simply wanted answers