Page 22 of Asher

Haley stiffened briefly. I squeezed her leg, and she let out the breath she was holding, leaning back in her chair. Refusing to hold back any longer, I leaned into her space. My lips grazing her ear. “Are you sure you can’t stay for pizza?” The floral scent of her shampoo assaulted me, and I just barely stopped myself from pressing my lips to her neck.

“I can’t. I really have to get some stuff done. I can stop by this week, though?”

I pulled back, but only slightly, wanting to see her clear blue eyes. “We need to talk. Clear some things up.”

She tilted her head to the side, eyes wide. My eyes stayed locked on hers, hoping she could understand at least a little. Finally, she nodded. If I didn’t have a yard full of family and friends, I’d drag her away and have the conversation now, but it wasn’t an option.

“Daddy!” Nix yelled, running onto the porch, only to be caught around the waist by Cam. She squirmed in his hold, laughing. I swear Phoenix had more energy in one finger than the rest of us had in our entire bodies. I squeezed Haley’s leg one last time before I pulled away. “Can we open presents?”

“Sure, sweetheart.” I stood and took her hand, ready to lead her back down to the yard.

“Let’s go!” She put a hand on her hip, tapping one foot, as she waited for everyone else to join us. Once everyone stood, she grabbed Haley’s hand, drug us both down the stairs. “I’m so excited!” She squealed as we followed behind her.

* * *

I stepped over another box,making my way through the living room littered in neon pink Barbie wrapping paper, where I let Nix open her first gifts from me this morning.

Thank God she opened all her other party gifts outside because my house already looked like a tornado had blown through it.

Which is exactly how I would explain Phoenix.

“Pizza’s here!” I called into the yard, hoping it would be enough to lure her inside. She was going to be glued to that play set. My family left around four, followed by Grayson and Haley. It still stung she didn’t stay.

She left with him.

I understood she needed to work, but I wanted her here. I wanted to talk to her and ask her how she really felt.

I needed it.

I needed to know if we had a chance to be more. I wanted a relationship, not a fling. And Haley was the definition of relationship. She’d become my best friend over the past two years. The only woman besides my mom that I truly let into our lives.

“Where’s Aunt Haley?” Phoenix asked, sliding into the dining room.

“She had to go home and work. She said she would stop by this week.”

I hated the disappointed look in Nix’s eyes. “I miss her.”

“I know, bug.” I missed her, too. “I’ll text her after dinner to see when she can swing by. How about that?”

Nix shrugged her shoulders, kicking one foot. “Can we call her instead?”

“Yeah, we can do that,” I agreed. “Have a seat.” I motioned toward the table, sitting a plate with two pieces of pizza in front of her. She picked up a slice, taking a big bite before she told me about all her favorite presents, like I hadn’t watched her open each and every one.

She shoved one more bite in her mouth, talking around the food. “Can we call Haley now?”

“Sure, bug.” Normally, I’d make her wait and finish another piece of pizza, but she’d probably had enough birthday cake to feed a small bear.

Walking into my bedroom, I snatched my phone off of the charger and brought up Haley’s contact info. I wasn’t big on calling. Honestly, I don’t think I’d ever called Haley. We had more of a texting relationship. Sighing, I clicked FaceTime and dialed her. She answered in a rush, concerned filled her face. “Asher? What’s going on? Are you okay?” Her words sounded panicked.

I swallowed hard as I took in her pink face and bare shoulders.Fuck.She was gorgeous. Wet hair hung down her body, going out of the frame. Water droplets glistened along her naked collarbone.

“Are you naked?” I choked out the words. My voice was rough, and I was suddenly glad that I started this call in my bedroom where I could convince my damn dick to calm the hell down.

Her forehead furrowed adorably. “What?” She looked down and then back at the camera, rolling her eyes. “No. I wrapped a towel around myself.” She angled the camera down so that I could see the small blue terrycloth towel. The sight did nothing to calm my raging hard-on. “I got out of the shower to answer your call. Is everything okay?”

“Do you normally answer FaceTimes in the shower?”

“I’m not in the shower,” she said slowly. “I’d usually let it go, but you don’t normally call me, so I answered.”