Page 6 of Asher

“You know, you could just go ask her to dance,” Bennett said, sliding up next to me.

“Don’t you have a cake to cut?” I joked but didn’t pull my gaze from Haley. The girl had me in a trance.

“In a little bit.” Bennett turned to the bartender he hired for the night. “Whiskey, please. You ready for the bridal party dance?” He asked me while the guy poured his drink.

Finally pulling my eyes off Haley, I took the last swig of my drink. “Do I have to dance with Whitney?” I asked, trying not to groan about it too much.

Bennett winced. “She’s a lot.”

“You don’t fucking say.” Whitney was the sister of the bride and had been copping feels all fucking day. I seriously might have a bruise on my ass from the last time she pinched it. Fucking pinched it like she was a ninety-year-old woman.

“If it makes you feel any better, you only have to dance with her for the first minute of the song.”

“Really?” My shoulders sagged with relief. The last thing I needed was Whitney grabbing my ass in the middle of the dancefloor, giving Haley the wrong idea.

Not that Haley and I were together.

Or that we were going to be.

Even if I wanted to be with her more than anything.

After the hospital incident, Hales shied away from that conversation, staying promptly in the friend zone. Hell, even last night after I almost kissed her, she tried to bolt. It was probably a good thing that Nix walked into the room before I could make a complete fool of myself.

“Yeah. The DJ’s going to instruct everyone to pull someone out of the crowd to join us.”

My palms started sweating at the thought of pulling Haley into my arms for a song. She bit her bottom lip as she made eye contact with me again. “I’m happy for you, man,” Bennett said.

I cocked a brow. “Shouldn’t I be saying that to you?”

“Probably, but I think everyone has been waiting for someone to catch your eye.” My jaw flexed and I tightened my hand further around my glass. I knew everyone was ready for me to move on from Carrie. I just wasn’t that simple. Bennett took the last drink of his whiskey and sat his glass down at the bar just as Jessa swayed up to him, her long white dress floating around.

“You ready for this?” She smiled at him with glassy eyes. I wasn’t sure if she was emotional or drunk. Probably drunk.

After the ceremony, the wedding party left to take pictures. Some of which included champagne.

Bennett hooked an arm around her waist and pulled her against his chest, whispering in her ear. She sighed, nodding in agreement with whatever he said. “We’re going to get the dances started.” He smirked, linking his hand with his bride’s. “Be ready.” He slapped me on the back before leading Jessa across the floor right past my girl.

Nails crept across my forearm below my rolled-up sleeves, pulling my attention from Haley. I should’ve left my jacket on. Suppressing a groan, I pulled my arm back and took a step away. “Whitney.”

“Hey,” she purred and walked her fingers up my chest. Girl was bold. I’d give her that. “You want to get out of here?” She asked loudly, swaying on her feet. The smell of vodka wafted off her breath. Clearly, she was already too drunk to remember we still had to stay for the dances and speeches.

“I’ll pass.”

She pouted. “Isn’t your job to keep the lonely bridesmaids company?” She tried to place her hand against my chest, but I leaned further away.

“Actually I think his job was to keep Bennett company and make sure that he stays sufficiently buzzed. After that, his only job is to dance with me.” My pulse raced a little at the possessiveness in Haley’s voice as she placed her hand over my racing heart.

I wrapped an arm around Haley’s waist, letting my palm slide over every inch of bare skin on her back. My cock twitched as her perfume surrounded me. It was the one I bought her from Victoria’s Secret last year for Christmas. It was sexy as fuck and I wanted to bury my face in her neck, just to inhale it further.

“Who the hell are you?” Whitney stood a little straighter, suddenly less tipsy. Interesting.

Feeling bold, I pressed a kiss to Haley’s temple, puffing my chest out as her breath hitched. I loved when she reacted to my touch. “Whitney. This is Haley,” I introduced her, pressing Haley even tighter into my side.

“Asher’s date and the only girl he’ll be leaving with.” Haley peered up at me, biting her lip before turning back to Whitney. “But I can introduce you to Donovan over there. He may be just as handsy as you. It’d be a perfect match.”

I stiffened, seeing red.

How the hell had he been handsy?