Chapter 187: Penny
The second we walk in, I know this isn’t my usual scene.
It’s all dark worst and leather booths and smells like grilled steak and old whisky. Now the bright, elegant carés i user to with my friends. Its in Unde where I practically live.
1 smooth my dress down with clammy hands. I’m suddenly very aware of my open back and high heels.
Asher holds the door open with an easy hand on the small of my back. It’s steadying.
At the fat booth, I spot Anna first–bright smile, a wave. Rooster beside her, leaning back in the leather seat, camal and relased.
Anna hops up to hug me as soon as we get
there.
“Look at you,” she whispers in my ear. “That dress. Asher is a dead man.”
I let out a nervous laugh, cheeks already warm. Asher slides into the booth beside me. His thigh brushes mine. I feel it like a live wire
“Good to see you, brother.” Rooster says, clapping Asher’s shoulder. They do that masculine half–hug, and I watch Asher’s mouth curve, warm and real. It hits me all over again how different he is when he’s with people he trusts.
Asher leans back, arm casually draped across the booth behind me.
“Good to see you too.” His voice is low, steady.
His fingers brush my hair. I pretend it doesn’t send
a
shiver down my spine.
Anna gives me a knowing smile. “How’ve rehearsals been?”
I exhale. “Busy. Very busy. I basically live at the studio right now. Luc is a tyrant-‘
“Oh, he always is,” she says.
“—but he’s also kind of my favourite person this week. I needed it. Moving my body again, being in it. You know.”
Anna nods, eyes soft. She knows.
A server comes over to take drink orders–water and wine for Anna
and
me,
beer for Rooster, whiskey for Asher (of course).
The second the server walks away, Rooster smirks across the table.
“So, Asher tells me you’ve been shopping furniture like a man possessed.”
I blink. “Have I?” I glance at Asher.
He gives the smallest smile. “You have opinions.”
Anna laughs. “Finally, someone to balance out his ‘I don’t need anything but four walls and a cot‘ aesthetic.”
I cover my mouth, giggling. “I might’ve convinced him to buy an actual couch. With cushions.”
“A couch?” Rooster gasps, clutching his chest. “The man’s gone soft.”
Asher rolls his eyes. “It’s for her.”
The casual way he says it makes my pulse skip.
1/3
Chapter 187: Penny
Anna leans het chini în han Hand. “Tell me, Penny. Tyn a weale of nas to fen, how hat iche at theralny home deparat
Candle werth. “Five. He’s functional, Minimatic. Put * 1 vizive it him he has turpitenste grunt rauta la entejjera
Ather’s mouth reitches. “Don’t sound $6 surmised,
“You were about to buy a black on black on black bedspread, 1 remind him.
Rooster groans. Fret me ease.
Anna beams. “And this is why you need a Penny.”
I’m about to argue, say we’re not
Asher just says quietly, “I do.”
The words land heavy and warm in my chest. I look at him, eyes wide. His gaze is steady on mine.
Rooster clears his throat. “Well. I guess that’s settled.”
Anna grins. “You’ll have to invite us over when you’re done decorating.”
Asher glances at me. “If she approves of the place, we will.”
I flush. “It’s beautiful. It already feels like you.”
His eyes soften. “It feels like us.”
Anna leans across the table again, conspiratorial. “So. Are you ready for Christmas Eve?”
I blink. “He won’t tell me what we’re doing.”
“You’ll like it,” Asher says simply.
Rooster raises a brow. “Is this a Navy seal operation level surprise?”
Asher smirks. “Classified.”
Anna rolls her eyes. “Of course.”
Dinner comes–steaks, perfectly cooked. Sides for the table. I let out a soft hum at the first bite, and Asher’s eyes darken, watching me.
Anna kicks me under the table when Asher turns to answer a question from Rooster.
“You are so gone for him,” she whispers.
I shoot her a look, “And you’re one to talk?”
She grins. “Fair.”
Asher turns back. “What are you two scheming about?”
Anna beams. “How beautiful your date looks tonight.”
I want to sink under the table.
Asher’s hand comes to rest on my thigh, warm and solid. “She always does.”
2/3
Chapter 187, Penny
I’m toast. Melted, useless toast.
We talk, laugh, eat. Rooster tells stories about ridiculous training mishaps. Anna teases him mercilessly.
I find myself leaning into Asher more, relaxing, safe. The way his thumb moves idly on my thigh the whole time makes it impossible to loan
After dessert chocolate Cake I barely taste–Asher catches my hand under the table, laces our fingers.
Anna gives me a sly smile. “You coming to our Christmas Eve brunch too?”
Asher answers for me. “We’ll be there.”
Rooster raises his glass. “To surviving the holiday madness.”
We all clink glasses.
And when we leave the steakhouse, Asher’s hand is at the small of my back again, possessive and protective.
As we step out into the crisp night air, he leans close, voice rough against my ear.
“You’re mine, Princess. No more denying it.”
I turn to him, breathless. “I never was.”
His mouth crashes to mine right there on the sidewalk. And I don’t care who sees.
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