Chapter 31
Harper
“What happened?” Darlene springs the question on me the second we sit down in the pedicure chairs at Posh Nails and Spa.
When I told Asher that Darlene was insistent we have a girl day, complete with brunch and mani and pedis, he insisted I go.
He even gave me the money to do it. I tried to object.
I make enough working for him to pay for things like this now, but he still insisted he treat me.
“What are you talking about?” I ask, situating myself in the chair and reaching for my complimentary mimosa. I take a sip and note that the champagne tastes cheap. Oh well, at least it’s free.
“Don’t play dumb. You have second base written all over your face. I think it’s second base, or did you go to third?” she leans in but barely lowers her voice. “Oh my God, did you let him finger you?!”
I cut my eyes at her, pointing at the girls doing our pedis with a jerk of my head.
“What? They’re not paying attention,” she says, but the two girls just look up at us, then at each other, and shake their heads before going back to work.
“The more you deny it, the more I am going to pry, so you might as well just save yourself the pain and spill the–”
“I slept with him,” I blurt out quietly. The gasp that comes from Darlene is enough to make everyone in the entire room stop and stare.
“You–” she nearly shouts, but I make a motion with my hand for her to lower her voice. Thankfully she does, to a whisper-yell. “You slept with Asher?!”
I nod, biting my lip.
“Oh my God,” she says, leaning back into her chair. “Oh…my God. When? Where? Were you drunk? How was it? How was he?”
“A couple of days ago. After Daniel’s wedding. At my house. I had a little to drink. It was good. He was amazing.”
“Oh, wow!” she gushes, sinking even further in her chair. Then she sits up again. “Wait, so you went to Daniel’s wedding as Asher’s date?”
“As his wife,” I correct her, and she snorts.
“Right.” She says, shaking her head. “His wife. That, by the way, is epic. When you texted me that you were doing that, I was literally cheering. The other girls at the office were so confused…so, of course, I told them. By the way, the patients loved it too. One woman was in the middle of getting a root canal and wanted them to stop drilling so she could hear. Anyway, you went to Daniel’s wedding wearing a version of your wedding dress, and then you went home and–”
“And…yeah,” I smile, taking another sip.
“Well, look at you,” she says all sassy.
“Yeah…and that’s not all,” I add, and she nearly jumps out of her chair. I’m honestly surprised she didn’t kick the woman in the face.
“There’s more? More than fucking your brother’s best friend? Girl, start talking.”
“He asked me to be his girlfriend,” I say, and her mouth drops open. I laugh at how dramatic my best friend is, but I love it at the same time.
“You’re dating him?” She asks, and I nod. “You’re dating your brother’s best friend,” she says, and I cover my face with my hands, even though I am still smiling. “Does he know?”
I shake my head, face still covered.
“Girl!”
“I know,” I say through my fingers.
“How are you going to tell him?” she asks. “I mean, you are going to tell him, right?”
I peel my hands away and reach for my drink. “Yes. Of course, we are going to tell him. I just don’t know when.”
“Damn,” she shakes her head. “You work with him. You can’t wait that long. How are you going to hide it?”
“Very carefully,” I say as a pang of guilt surges through me. I take another sip, hoping maybe cheap champagne will help with that. Obviously, it doesn’t.
“Okay, don’t be mad at me,” she says, and I know where this is going. Those are famous last words every time Darlene is about to give me an unsolicited opinion about my life. Although, in her defense, it is kind of solicited because we are having girl time to catch up.
“Oh boy,” I say.
“No, hear me out. I am only trying to look out for you. I think it’s great that you found someone. And I know it’s someone who actually cares about you, so that’s a plus. I just feel like, maybe–”
“I know it looks shady that I’m dating my brother’s best friend,” I say, but she jumps back in.
“That’s not what I was going to say,” she says.
“Okay, then what were you going to say?” I ask.
“I am just wondering if maybe you and Ash are…moving too quickly.”
Of all the things to come out of Darlene’s mouth, I’m kind of surprised.
“Moving too fast?” I ask.
“It’s just…you went from thinking you were in love with Daniel to spending a week alone with Asher, claiming you can’t stand him, to fucking around with him, to actually fucking him, to now dating him.”
“Wow, thanks for the support,” I say, and she gives me a softer expression.
“I just don’t want to see you get hurt,” she says.
“Darlene, no offense, but I have known Asher my entire life,” I say. “I don’t see how us deciding we want to take that friendship to the next level is moving too fast.”
“You said you weren’t going to fall for him because he was off limits…
and you did. You said you’d never give up your V-card before matrimony…
and you did. While I could never live that life, I was kinda proud of you.
But here you are giving that up and lying to your brother.
I just think you should be careful. Asher is kind of known for being the romantic who never settles down. ”
I open my mouth to say something, but then close it again.
I know all of it is crazy. I know a lot of things have happened that I swore never would.
But at the same time, I don’t believe Ash would hurt me; not on purpose.
I also don’t believe he is getting with me just to wave it in Daniel’s face.
As far as the whole noncommittal part is concerned, if he is afraid of falling in love, there must be a reason.
The same way there is a reason I didn’t want to give myself up.
But things have changed. I have changed.
Hopefully, in time, everyone else will see that, including Darlene and my brother.
Later that night, I’m getting ready for a date with Ash.
Ever since we “made it official,” he’s insisted we go on real dates.
At first, I was a little nervous, but after he reassured me that we would be going somewhere no one would know us, I gave in.
A real date sounds lovely right now. Don’t get me wrong, I do love the occasional rushed groping in the office.
I pamper myself a little more than usual in the shower; shaving everything and moisturizing everywhere.
Afterwards, I stand in my underwear and a satin robe, searching the closet for the perfect thing to wear.
I pull out all the dresses from the other day, the ones I considered for ole what’s-his-nut’s wedding.
I’m not giving him any verbal real estate by saying his name out loud anymore.
As I stare at the dresses, I am tempted to try them all on, parade in front of the mirror a bit and maybe send Darlene a selfie or two. On cue, my phone buzzes, and I don’t even have to look at the text to know it’s her.
Darlene: So what are you going to wear?
Harper: Hold, please.
I send her a screenshot of my bed.
Darlene: Brave. It’s freezing outside. I suppose it’s not a bad thing if you have to find ways to stay warm.
I roll my eyes, but laugh.
Harper: We aren’t going to be outside.
Darlene: Has he told you where he’s taking you?
Harper: Nope. He wants it to be a surprise. But he’s insistent that wherever it is, we won’t run into anyone we know.
Darlene: *cough cough*...your brother.
I let out a sigh, this time without the eye roll.
Harper: Very funny. Now help me with the dress dilemma. He’s going to be here soon.
Darlene: What, no fashion show?
Harper: Not after the brother comment.
Darlene: LOL, fair enough. Red. Always red.
I think about that. The red is hot. It fits my body nicely. Showcases my boobs without needing the help of a push-up bra. But then my eyes trail over to the green, and I remember what he said about it.
“I bet the green is stunning…”
That settles it. Green it is!
I leave Darlene hanging for now and promise her a photo later. If she’s lucky, I’ll send her a selfie of both of us. In which I will delete immediately after and tell her to delete immediately after because I am that paranoid. I can’t risk Jaylen seeing a photo of me and Ash before we tell him.
After I get dressed, I check my makeup again. Everything looks good, not too much and not understated either. I check the time. He should be here any minute. I go into the kitchen and fix myself a small drink. I need something to take the edge off because I’m nervous.
“Why am I nervous?” I ask out loud. Then I feel silly for talking to myself.
“What do you think, Bowie?” I ask my beta fish.
“Should I be nervous? I mean, I’ve known this man my whole life.
He’s even seen me naked.” I stare at the tank almost like I am waiting for a response.
Then I feel silly for talking to a fish.
I really am just being silly.
Another ten minutes pass, and I click my fingernails on the countertop. My glass is empty; I already used the restroom. I walk over to the window, peering down at the road. There is no sign of his Mustang. Maybe traffic is bad, or he forgot something and had to go back.
Maybe he forgot.
Maybe he doesn’t want to come.
Maybe Jaylen figured it out, and he feels so bad, he’s ghosting me.
Maybe Jaylen killed him.
My phone buzzes, and I jump out of my skin.
“Jesus, girl, get your shit together,” I scold myself and check my phone. It’s a text from him.
Asher: I’m really sorry. Something came up, and I’m not going to be able to make it.
My stomach drops as I read the text again, just to be sure. He’s not coming. My shoulders slump, and I find myself worrying. The what-ifs filling my head aren’t what ifs about me. I’m worried that something is wrong.