once more. “What she said,” she says, holding my gaze. “Because at the end of the day, who do you want to spend the rest of your life with?”
With the snap of the box lid, I close my eyes.
I really shouldn’t have involved my sisters.
Not only are they annoying, but they may be right. Really right.
I don’t know what’s scarier.
Them, or my feelings for Ally.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Ally
I feel like a princess.
I sit beside Asher at the bar, my legs pressed into his as he rubs my thigh. He looks devilishly handsome in a light gray shirt and black sport coat. The first two buttons on his shirt are open, showing a little hair, and thankfully, he’s wearing his new thick black frames. I lean my elbow on his knees, gazing into his eyes. “You’ve outdone yourself, Ash B.”
He grins, his eyes dancing with excitement as he drinks me in. “You look absolutely incredible, Ally T.”
And when he winks, my breath catches.
“Are you sure? I feel like this dress is so Stella Ann and not Allison Mae.”
It’s a tight, formfitting red dress that hangs dangerously low on my breasts. It stops at my knees with a slit up my thigh. Very much something Stella would rock and have men drooling all over her in. I’m pretty sure these are her red-soled heels. I can’t bring myself to ask, though, because if Asher bought these for me, I might hump his face right on this bar.
I’ve never felt more loved in my life.
Asher slides his hand up my slit to my hip, gazing into my eyes. “I feel Allison Mae is owning this dress. You’re hot as all get-out, baby.”
My lips quirk. “You’re so getting laid tonight.”
He nods, all confident-like. “Oh, I know.”
My face breaks into a grin as I bring my glass of wine to my lips. My stomach is swirling with desire, but my nerves are eating me alive. I spent the day working on my resume and finding out where I want to send it. I’ve focused a lot on Nashville and the surrounding cities, but the jobs I really want are in the Midwest. I want to be a part of a team, working with athletes to help maintain their mental health. The only team here I’d want to work with is the Assassins, and that can’t happen. I could transfer to football or even soccer since we have those teams here in Nashville, but my heart says hockey.
I’m scared to find out what Asher will think. What he’ll say. I know he’ll be supportive; that’s Asher. He’s the best when it comes to me reaching my goals, but will he be with me through it? Will he come with me? Can he come? So many questions and my stomach hurts thinking of them. As I sit here, staring at him, I don’t want to leave. I want to stay right here, under his hooded gaze, feeling like he sees nothing but me.
I want to shake him. Scream at him to tell me he loves me. Scream back that I love him. But I just don’t think doing that will help. I’m on his time, and I agreed to that. But a part of me just wants to say it and let it out into the world. Maybe then it’ll help him get to where I am.
But it could also scare him off.
I need to change the subject.
“Emery picked out the fuzzy white jacket thing, huh?”
He grins as he nods. “Yeah. Do you like it?”
“Oh, I love the whole outfit.”
“Good,” he says. “Do you like the shoes?”
I press my lips together, shifting them back and forth because of the gloss I’m wearing over my dark red lipstick. “I love them, Ash. They’re amazing.”
He grins. “Stella said you needed them.”
I’m breathless. “You bought them for me?”
“Yeah. Can’t have a hot dress like this without shoes to match.”
Why do I feel like I’m about to cry? Wait. Is he going to tell me he loves me? “I’m overwhelmed by all of this, honestly.”
“Just how I wanted you,” he says, leaning toward me and pressing his lips to mine. “I want you to know how special you are to me.”
I gaze into his eyes, and the words are there. Come on, Ash. Say them. He cups my face, running his thumb along my jaw, and he’s going to say it. I know it.
“Mr. Brooks, your table is ready.”
I can’t stab a hostess, right?
He sends me another wink before getting up and helping