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“Again?” A nervous laughter releases from me.
Asher’s grip tightens on my shirt, and I can feel his unease.
“I was at the Calloway Carat Gala. We spoke there when you were with Prince Louis,” Micah explains, his voice smooth. “We discussed artifacts from theTitanic.”
“Oh, right. Of course,” I reply, forcing a smile that doesn’t quite reach my eyes.
“And I’m Asher. Her future husband,” Asher interjects, his tone flat and serious, slicing through the chatter. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t fucking look at her like that.”
Asher’s words hang in the air, and he’s not playing games.
“You’re always making jokes,” Harper says playfully to Asher.
Her laughter is light, but I catch the flicker of concern in her eyes. This is already not going how I imagined.
I think she knows Asherwasn’tjoking. It’s obvious by how tight his jaw is clenched and how his eyes don’t leave Micah.
Right now, I need to walk away and get my mind right.
“Oh, please, have a seat. Would you like some wine?” I ask, trying to keep my voice light as I juggle the swirling tension.
“Honestly, I’d love some wine,” Harper replies, her smile bright as Micah settles in and pulls her onto his lap, wrapping an arm around her waist possessively.
“Great. I’ll be right back.” I escape into the house, sucking in a deep breath.
When I’m in the kitchen, I grab a bottle of wine, and Asher enters behind me.
“What the fuck was that?” he demands, his voice furious, each word dripping with disdain. “I fuckinghatethis guy.”
A chuckle escapes me, but it fades quickly. “I know him, but not from the gala. Somewhere else.”
Asher leans close and speaks loud enough for me to hear. “If he looks at you like that again, I’m going to fuck him up.”
“Stop.” I laugh. “Best behavior,” I remind him, removing the cork from the bottle.
I shoot my fiancé a wink, wanting to desperately change themood as I return to the table. My heart sinks at the sight of Micah’s tongue deep in Harper’s mouth.
“Wine,” I announce, and they break apart as I fill our glasses full.
The rich red liquid swirls like my thoughts as I light the tea candles on the table. Harper sits next to me and clinks her glass against mine, her eyes sparkling with excitement, oblivious to how her date is staring at me.
“To love and friendship,” Harper says, holding up her glass.
“Cheers,” I tell her, my voice barely above a whisper as I clink my glass against hers and then Micah’s. The sound dings in the quiet night.
Asher returns, carrying a platter of seafood-stuffed mushrooms. The aroma of garlic and herbs waft through the air, and my mouth waters with anticipation.
“I’ve heard things have been going well at Bellamore since London,” Micah says casually, leaning back in his chair with a relaxed grin that doesn’t quite reach his eyes.
“Ah, right. We don’t discuss business after five p.m.,” Asher replies with an unmistakabledon’t fuck with meedge in his sharp voice.
For a moment, I’m reminded of how much of an unapologetic asshole he can be, and I’m grateful for it.
“Anything else interesting you’d like to discuss?” Asher asks.
The atmosphere shifts, and an uncomfortable silence stretches on.
Micah licks his lips with a teasing chuckle that feels forced. “It’s been a very long time, Asher. How’s your sister?”