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I nod as he presses play

Myif this is one of thoseto tellthis?

“Oh,on the screen I zoned out the first few minutes, but now I cover my mouth with my hands as an Australian dude, who looks like he should be a Hemsworth brother, offers his date forty dollars in front of her parents for quote, “Co in her mouth”

“He took the pants!” Asher laughs He leans closer and puts one arm over my shoulders His other hand reaches into the popcorn bowl that has soht I put it on the cushions, but at some point, the space between us was eliminated

I s hard and shift to comfortably restto the point where I can feel the wetness on od my deodorant works because if this stress sweat ht die from humiliation

By the time the on-screen couple makes it to St Patrick’s day, our bowl of popcorn is empty Asher moves it from my lap to the space beside hiers are twisting a lock of oosebumps

“Ellie?”

I turn my head to look at Asher and he’s close So close I can feel his breath on my face I look up into his eyes and bite the corner of my bottom lip, hardly able to breathe This could be our ns are there: the stupid movie, the closeness, how he’s found a way to touch me nearly all afternoon

“Yeah?” I whisper

Asher leans closer until our lips are al “I…” He tilts his head and I suck in a breath, then close my eyes

“Lainey!” Mom hollers as she unlocks the front door Asher pulls back and scoots a few inches away His arm leaves my shoulders and he clasps his hands in his lap Seriously, Mom? I'm so frustrated I could scream

“Can you…oh” Mo and smiles “Hi, Asher Do you think you kids can help roceries?”

“Sure thing, Mrs Walker,” Asher replies, rising to his feet He holds his hand out forkind, but noonder if it’s another way to touch me If he feels the same pull I do

“Asher, hun,” Mo Lainey, we et rid of the formalities Call me Susan “

“So, you approve?” he asks, one brow arched