Chapter 41 Asher
Asher
We pulled an uno reverse
“Will you go on a date with me?” I blurt out the words when she’s in the middle of washing her face.
The question lingers in the air. Bri blinks up at me, the steady stream of water filling the space while suds still effervesce on her skin.
After our evening out with my brother and his wife, I realized we haven’t been on an official date.
“Huh?” Bri asks as she lathers her face in some sort of cream.
“A date. Will you go on a date with me? I realized we’ve done pretty much everything but go out on a date. So, I was asking if you want to.”
Bri looks me up and down before laughing. “You’ve already gotten in my pants, Asher. Why do you want to go out on a date?”
“Because you’re too beautiful not to show off.
We kind of went about things differently.
Normally, you date for a while before hooking up.
We pulled an Uno reverse card, so now I want to take you out.
I want us to dress up and go somewhere fancy.
I want us to eat, laugh, and maybe dance together.
I want the world to know I’m with you. So, Bri, will you go on a date with me? ”
A soft expression crosses her face before she wraps her arms around me. Her smile is so bright it's practically blinding.
“I would love to go on a date with you. When and where?”
“Tonight at seven, and let me worry about where we’re going. I’m going to do it right and pick you up, so I’m gonna leave so I can get ready for tonight.”
She tries to kiss my lips, but I pull back.
“Uh-uh. What kind of man do you take me for? I am more than my hot body, Brianna.” She rolls her eyes at me before playfully pushing me away. “Be ready at seven. I’ll see you soon.”
I grab my phone from my back pocket and text Cas asking for his help.
Me: Hey, man, you free?
Cas: I’m happily married, Asher, but I appreciate the flattery.
Me: Hah. No, I’m going on my first date with Bri and I need some help planning it out. Think you can help?
Cas: You two have been going at it like bunnies and you’re just now going on a date?
Me: Yeah. I know. Can you help?
Cas: Sure.
Me: I’ll meet you at your place.
Cas: ??
I arrive at Cas and Avery’s house in thirty minutes, and I have my hand raised into a knock before the door is opened. I’m greeted by a glowing and very pregnant Avery.
“If I wasn’t so in love with your best friend, I’d steal you away for myself. Cas be damned.” Avery throws her head back and laughs; she knows my teasing is just that. Teasing. “But seriously, Aves, carrying Cas’ kid looks good on you.”
“I heard that. And Avery is stuck with me for life. Come on in.” Cas walks toward the living room, so I follow.
Cas leans in, pressing a loving, lingering kiss against Avery’s lips before leaning down to whisper adorations against her belly.
I look away, feeling as if I’m intruding on an intimate moment that’s meant to be private.
“So, what’s your plan for said best friend?” Avery asks while waddling in.
“Honestly, I have no idea. We already did a bookstore adventure, so I can’t do that. I was thinking of taking her to a fancy restaurant, but that feels too basic.”
“Ooh, what about a cooking class? She has always wanted to take one of those.”
I remember Bri mentioning that once or twice one summer during our childhood. I had completely forgotten that was one of her bucket list items up until Avery mentioned it.
“I could do that, but do you think it’s too late to have a cooking class? Our date is tonight at seven, and it’s currently ten-thirty in the morning.”
“Nah. I know a guy who owes me a favor for mentoring his grandson. I’ll call him to set it up.”
Cas excuses himself to make the call while I turn toward Avery to get more ideas.
“Do you know any other items she’s always wanted to cross off her list?”
“Hmmm, well, she already has floor-to-ceiling bookshelves alongside one of the walls in her office library, but I know she’s always wanted a reading chair.”
Avery pulls out her phone and scrolls through to find the chair Bri wants. She shifts in her seat, showing me a light purple, velvet LITA lazy chair with a matching ottoman. It screams Brianna. I add it to my cart and request same-day delivery.
“Done. I had it delivered to this address. Do you think Cas can put it together while we’re out?”
“Yeah, I’m sure he can. Oh, you know what else she’s been wanting?”
“What’s that?”
“She’s been obsessed with this special edition collection of her favorite book series. Here, let me pull up the website and show you.”
I watch as Avery pulls her computer from the coffee table onto her lap.
As soon as she has the website open, she hands me the laptop, and I place the order immediately.
The earliest it can get to Bri’s house is with two-day delivery, so I click on that option without even blinking an eye at the ridiculous price.
If it brings a smile to her face, then it’s worth it.
I print off the confirmation email before folding up the paper and putting it in my pocket.
While I can’t give her the gift now, I can at least show her that they’re on their way.
“You really do love her, don’t you?”
Avery looks at me with such adoration in her eyes. It’s clear she wants her best friend to be happy.
“With every fiber of my being. My heart beats for that woman, and I’ll do just about anything for her. Is there anything else I should cross off her list?”
“Well, I know she’s always wanted to sleep outside underneath the stars. She may be tough on the outside, but she’s a gooey romantic on the inside.”
“I can do that. Thanks, Aves. How are we feeling?” I gesture toward her belly.
“I’m tired with zero control over my bladder and she’s kicking me like crazy, but I love every second of it.”
“Have you two come up with a name yet?”
“I did, but I haven’t told Cas yet. I asked his grandparents if it was okay to name her after their daughter, Cas’ mom. I got their approval, so I plan on telling him tonight.”
“He’s going to love that.” She smiles at me and Cas picks this time to re-enter the room.
“You’re all set for tonight at Lagoon. Chef Marnie will take care of y’all.” Cas presses a kiss on the crown of Avery’s head before sitting next to her. They exchange a heated look, and I take it as my cue to leave.
“Thanks guys for all the help. I’m gonna leave. Y’all are sending each other fuck me eyes, and I’d rather not see any of that.”
I stop at Target on the way to my apartment to get a blowup mattress, some snacks, and a bottle of sparkling wine.
I hold off on the flowers until I’m on my way to her.
Instead, I get her the entire Elle Kennedy series she’s been dying to read.
Well, I get two copies of each—thank you Target BOGO deal—since we now spend our Sundays reading the same book.
And if she wants to reenact a scene or two?
Well, who am I to stop her? I still have hours to go before I see her, so I text Amber to see if she can take Bri out to find an outfit for tonight.
Me: Hey, Amber. I’m taking Bri on our first date and I was hoping you could take her shopping for an outfit for tonight.
Amber: First date? Y’all have been hooking up for months and you’re just going on a date now?
Me: Yeah, I know we did things backwards. Will you help me?
Amber: I got you, little brother.
Me: Ignoring the little brother dig and saying thank you. Here is her address.