by Jackie Wang
I tried to ignore him. I did.
But he was one persistent dog.
“There's nothing to talk about!” I shot back. “I don't care!”
“Like hell you don't,” Asher said. “If you didn't care, why did you run away?”
“I wasn't feeling well,” I lied. It was a lame excuse, and he knew it.
“Please, let me come downstairs. I want to see you.”
Even though I was hurt, I was still impressed that he respected me enough to not barge downstairs.
“I don't want to talk right now. Everything's fine, Asher. Just give me some space.”
Asher grumbled a gravelly “okay” before walking away.
Of course, everything was not okay. It was stupid and illogical, but I had some dumb fantasy this hotshot lawyer would fall for a nobody like me. That he meant what he said and really did want to prove himself to me. That he wanted to get to know me, not just sleep with me.
Was everything he’d done just a ruse to get into my pants? Probably.
The basement was foreboding and still uncomfortably empty. I had no idea a weekend without my furniture would make me feel so alone. So desperately angry and pathetic.
Ruminating alone wouldn't do much good, so I decided to go grocery shopping. Anything to distract me from the temptation that was Asher Morgan.
On the way to Walmart, I received a call from Callista. God, I hadn't even told her about the kiss yet. Or going to the benefit. Or the engagement.
“Hey, Cally.”
“How was moving? Did that jerk-off help you out at least?”
“He did, actually.”
“At least he has a teeny bit of a conscience. What are you up to now?”
“Just on my way out to get some groceries.”
“Sorry I couldn't make it yesterday. Make it up to you tonight? Drinks at Mahoney's?”
I hesitated. “Yeah, drinks sound good. Eight o' clock?”
“See you then.”
I decided I'd spill my beans when I got to the bar later. For now, I needed to focus on my grocery list.
Ever since I’d started college, I hadn't been eating well. Mostly frozen dinners and snacks. I wasn't proud of it, but when you were a broke twenty-something with over thirty-grand of debt, you didn't have many options. The price of fresh fruits, veggies, and meats were highway robbery these days and plus, I didn't know how to cook for shit.
So I popped into Walmart (which was only a ten-minute walk away), loaded up on microwave dinners (three for ten bucks, woo!), pasta (college pantry essential), sauce, a few bags of chips, gummy worms, and chocolate bars. Lots and lots of chocolate bars. I needed to drown my sorrows with junk food ASAP.
The trip to Walmart sobered me up a little and distracted me from my terrible morning. Plus, I looked forward to seeing Callista later so I could pour my heart out without judgment.
When I got home, I put away the groceries and listened for any footsteps upstairs. Thankfully it was all quiet. It was almost seven, so I decided to start prepping for my night out.
My stomach grumbled loudly, and I realized for the second time this weekend, I needed to eat more. Somehow I kept shoving eating lower and lower down on my list of priorities, and it was really showing on my body. Just this month I'd lost five pounds from stress. I wasn't bare bones, but I was teetering dangerously close to being underweight. Whenever I got stressed, I didn't eat. It was an awful habit I'd picked up in my teenage years. Eating was a difficult chore; one that I sometimes put off until I was so hungry I almost fainted.
I dug into the pantry and tore open a bag of Cheetos. In minutes I'd scarfed down half the bag, and my fingers were painted with sticky orange dust. That would tide me over until I got to the bar.
I decided to wear a curve-hugging red dress with my black stilettos. It was one of the nicest dresses I owned, and I'd bought it for Callista's sister's wedding. I worked my hair into a loose chignon and brushed on some eye shadow, mascara, blush, and lip gloss. A simple, sultry night-time look that didn't scream slutty or 'trying too hard'.
“Wow-wow-wee-wow,” Callista said, checking me out as I approached her later. She was waiting outside the bar by the parking lot. “Someone's looking hot tonight.”
I blushed. “Not too shabby yourself. Is Brandon coming?”
“No, it's just us girls tonight.”
“That's good because I have some stuff to rant about,” I said.
Mahoney's was our go-to bar. The staff was always efficient but friendly. I'd actually dated the bartender slash owner a couple months ago, but we’d mutually decided to just stay friends. His name was Cameron, and he was a gorgeous Irish god with the sexiest brogue. Too bad we didn't have that much chemistry or much to talk about for that matter. In fact, we broke it off when he decided to see someone else. At the same time as me. I'd been livid for a while, but I was over it now.
“Hey, Cam.” Callista waved.
Cameron looked up, and a huge, rugged grin creased his face. “Two of my favorite ladies. How are ya? Haven't seen you two in a while.”
“Been busy with work,” Callista said.
I nodded in agreement. “Looks busy in here. I'm glad business is doing so well.”
Cameron grinned. “What can I start ya off with?”
I ordered a bellini while Callista had a margarita. Cameron placed the cocktails in front of us within minutes.
Between sips, Callista asked, “What did you want to rant about?”
I looked over at Cam and realized he was busy chatting up an African-American goddess. I didn't really want Cam to overhear any of this, even though he probably wouldn't care anyway.
“It's about Asher,” I said in a low whisper.
“Why are you whispering?” Callista whispered back.
My eyes dart to Cam. “I don't want Cam to hear me.”
“Sisi, he's not going to care. You two ended things months ago.”
“Still.”
“All right then. Tell me what you want to tell me.”
I led with the news that bothered me the most. “Asher was engaged.”
Callista's jaw dropped. “What? Wait, how did that come up?”
“His father told me.”
Callista arched her brows. “Correct me if I'm wrong but it's only been like three days since I last saw you right?”
“We kissed.”
“Holy shit, Sierra! What the hell happened? Start from the beginning.”
So I explained everything, down to the last detail. I swear she didn't even blink for two whole minutes, and her jaw was permanently agape.
“All that happened in less than forty-eight hours?”
“Yup.” I threw her an imploring look. “Am I an idiot?”
Callista sighed. “You were a bit of a tease,” she finally said.
“I know,” I admitted. “And I feel horrible about it now.”
“Why?” she asked. “For having a little fun? It's not like he was looking for a committed relationship or anything. Besides, you didn't even sleep with him. Just in his bed,” she winked.
“He wants to chat. Should I hear him out? Is it even worth the bother or should I just move on?”
“I think you should at least give him a chance to explain himself. If you've learned anything from watching years of rom-coms with me, you should know the alpha hero almost always has a reasonable explanation for his actions.”
“You're right. I guess I'll talk to him tomorrow then. Thanks, Cally. You know, for listening to my rant.”
“Would you like a refill?” Cam asked, his large hands wrapped around our empty glasses.
“Sure. Put it on my tab please,” I offered.
“So what's the celebration?” Cam asked.
I looked up at him. “What do you mean?”
“You two look smoking hot. Celebrating something?”
Callista laughed. “On the contrary, we're discussing some juicy gossip.”
“Care to share?” Cam asked, mixing our drinks
.
“Not tonight,” I said.
“Sure. No worries.” Cam leaned in closer, and I could see his muscular pecs stretching his t-shirt. “Listen, some of my mates and I are going to a beer fest next weekend. It'll be a two-day thing. You two wanna join?”
“Sorry, Cam, I'm going on a weekend road trip with my boyfriend,” Callista said.
“Oh, I didn't know you were serious about that muppet,” Cameron said.
“Pretty serious,” Callista said. “But anyway, Sierra might go. Right, Sisi?” Callista nudged me with her knee.
I wasn't sure going to a beer fest with Cameron and his friends all by myself was such a good idea. Don't get me wrong, I trusted Cam. I just didn't know anything about his friends, that's all. Plus, beer wasn't really my thing.
“Are your friends okay with me coming?” I asked, unsure if I'd fit in with his buddies.
“They're great lads. And I think some of them will bring their girlfriends too so you won't be the only lass there,” Cam explained. “It'll be fun. It's on the island.”
He was, of course, referring to Penderton Island, a quick twenty-minute ferry ride across Northbridge Bay.
“How many of your friends are going?” I asked.
“Let's see, there's Chris, Mike...” Cam counted off. “Four guys, including me and maybe two of their girlfriends.”
“I'll think about it, Cam. Can I get back to you?”
“Aye. I have an extra ticket, but I won't hold on to it forever. Let me know at the latest before Wednesday, all right?”
“Sure. Is your number still the same?”
“Aye,” Cameron nodded. “Just text me.”
“Got it.”
After Cam had bounced off to serve his other customers, I felt Callista tug on my sleeve. “You should go, Sisi. It'll be the perfect way to get over your little crush and play the field a little. Cam mentioned three girlfriends and five guys, including himself. Which means, you'll have your pick of two—”
“—Cally, maybe I don't just think about hooking up with guys all day long, hmm?”
“Yeah okay,” Callista said. “So you didn't just spend twenty minutes ranting about your sexy tenant who you kissed and really wanted to hook up with?”
“Cally,” I warned.
“Just saying. It's not like you're exclusive or serious about this Asher guy. Go out and have some fun. Drink some beer and get laid.”
“I don't even like beer that much,” I pointed out.
“It's about socializing, Sisi, something you need to do more of.”
“Ugh, Cally, you make me sound like a hermit.”
“When was the last time you hung out with anyone other than me and Brandon?”
I sighed. “Fine. Point taken.”
It really had been way too long.
Before we left the bar, I tapped Cam on the shoulder and told him I was in.
Beaming, he said, “You won't regret it, Sierra. It'll be fun.”
“Counting on it,” I replied.
CHAPTER 8
ASHER
SHE ASKED FOR SPACE.
So I gave it to her. After all, I learned my lesson when I snooped through her boxes. I just didn't expect she'd avoid me for three whole days before texting me again.
SIERRA: Engaged huh? You owe me an explanation.
ASHER: Finally! You were driving me crazy with all the waiting. Are you home? Can I see you?
SIERRA: Still at work. Meet me somewhere close by? At 7? There's a café—Minnie's on Maple and Verne.
ASHER: I'll be there.
I still had a shit ton of work to do on the Holdom merger, but I didn't want to pass up the chance to explain myself to Sierra. So I unloaded most of the work onto my paralegal, partner on the case, and good friend, Mike Hannigan.
“You owe me big time,” he'd said, shuffling papers.
“I'll make it up to you this weekend, I promise. Dinner on me,” I'd replied.
“I'm taking next weekend off then. Taking the girlfriend out of town,” Mike said.
“Deal.”
Minutes later, my Jag was revving down the street. My mind raced the entire drive there, rehearsing over and over what I'd say to her. Perfecting my speech so it'd sound natural but also sympathetic enough for her to forgive me.
I arrived at Minnie's with ten minutes to spare so I waited in the car until I caught a glimpse of plaid and wavy dark blond hair brush past.
Hopping out, I called, “Sierra!”
She paused mid-step and turned, her beautiful face locking onto mine.
“You're early,” she said.
“I always am when it comes to important meetings.”
“So this is a meeting?” she asked.
Don't twist my words, woman!
“No, but I value it just as much as one. I've been dying to see you. You left me in a quite a lurch on Sunday. I haven't been able to focus on my work all week.”
“Glad to see you're somewhat human. And have a conscience.” She strode into the café and right up to the counter. As she placed her order, I received a text from my buddy Cameron.
CAM: Sorry mate. Forgot to tell you I'm bringing a date this weekend. Hope you won't feel too left out. You can still bring a date if you want; VIP tickets still on sale.
I quickly tapped out a reply: It's okay, I'll be fine.
Turning back to Sierra, I realized it was my turn to order. I ordered a black coffee, and we brought our drinks to a table by the windows. The café had a great view of Northbridge Harbor, and I could see seagulls weaving their way through throngs of ferries and commercial freights. Peaceful and picturesque. The perfect view to go with the perfect apology.
“Well, don't make me ask. Tell me what you've been dying to tell me all this time,” Sierra said.
I dragged in a deep breath.
“The engagement, it wasn't real,” I began.
Sierra cocked her head, questions swirling in her eyes.
“Vicky was my long time friend. She needed someone to be her fake fiancé, so I agreed. Her father was in town, and she wanted to show me off. She didn't want her father to be disappointed in her choice of men. She had a bit of a reputation for being a playgirl and falling for bad boys. So I played along and eventually started to develop some feelings, but it wasn't mutual. I found out she was in love with someone else; someone her wealthy father disapproved of. After her father had gone back to Mexico, I publicly broke it off, because that had been the plan all along. It hurt me, but I got over it a long time ago.”
Sierra sat in stunned silence. Finally, she said, “I thought that stuff only happened in movies. Or books.”
“Where do you think they get the ideas from?” I snickered. “If you ever need a fake fiancé, you know who to call.” It was a joke, but Sierra didn't laugh.
“So do you still keep in touch with her?”
“No,” I admitted. “Two weeks after we 'split up,' she eloped with her real boyfriend. Last I heard they were honeymooning in Thailand.” I tried to hide the bitterness in my voice.
“I see,” Sierra said.
“So do you forgive me now?” I asked, hoping she'd say yes.
Sierra shrugged. “I was never mad at you or anything.”
She was a horrible liar. But I didn't call her out on it.
“Are we good?”
Sierra nodded. “It's quite the story. But I'll buy it. Anyway, I should head home now. I'm wiped. Long day at work.”
“Wanna talk about it?” I offered.
She shook her head. “Just want to go home and veg out.”
“Let me give you a ride,” I said. “Please. I'm headed the same way.”
She thought about it then nodded. “I guess we do share the same roof.” A tiny laugh escaped her lips, and it was the sweetest sound I'd heard all day.
Once we were on the road, I decided to go for it. I'd wanted to ask her ever since Cameron first invited me to the beer fest three days ago.
“Hey,” I began, “There'
s this thing I'm going to this weekend with my buddies. Would you be interested in joining us? Just as a friend?”
Sierra's lips wiggled. Then she said, “Sorry, I already made plans.”
I didn't expect her rejection to hit me so hard. Swallowing I nodded, “That's okay. I just wanted to check, in case you were free.”
“Thanks for the invite, though.”
“Mmhm.”
After I had parked, Sierra got out of the car, said goodbye, and disappeared around the back. I was really, really hoping I could bring her to the beer fest. So I could make it all up to her. Have fun, get to know her better. Introduce her to my friends. I'd been so riled up by the possibility that now she'd dashed my dreams, I felt somewhat sullen and defeated. Should I bother trying to bring a date, or just show up stag?
Mike and Jeremy were bringing their girlfriends. And now even Cam had a date. I would look like such a loser they'd think I lost my A-game.
Fuck.
I could always try to hook up with a girl at the festival, but even that didn't hold the appeal it once did. Because lately, there'd only been one girl on my mind. The one girl who was slipping farther and farther away from me.
Sierra fucking Maywood.
Someone I couldn't just wine, dine, then sixty-nine.
Someone who spoke her own mind and was fiercely stubborn about almost everything.
I wanted her to be all mine.
But it was starting to look like that first kiss we shared would also be the last.
CHAPTER 9
ASHER
SATURDAY MORNING ROLLED around, and I was still without a date. I decided to just tough it out and show up stag. Who knew? Maybe I'd meet a cute chick this weekend to distract me for a few hours. A little flirting was just what the doctor ordered. Something to prove that Sierra Maywood wasn't the only woman who could tug at my heartstrings.
I'd already decided to carpool with my buddies Mike and Jeremy, and their girlfriends. Cameron and his date would meet us at the ferry terminal.
Mike's SUV pulled up shortly after 9a.m. His girlfriend Terri sat in the front passenger seat while Jeremy and Rose were in the back. I could see a few coolers and fold-up chairs jammed in the trunk.
I'd packed my duffle bag with two days' worth of clothing, toiletries, and swim trunks because I read there was a pool at the hotel. I relaxed my hunched shoulders and waved to my buddies.
