The Girl's Got Secrets (Forbidden Men #7)(121)

Before I could nod, though, Eva said, “And I want you and Asher to sing ‘Marvin Gaye’ together. I heard about your antics last night and how awesome you two sounded together, so now I want to hear it myself. Plus, I want to dance with my man to that one.”

Really? These guys were trying to doom me here. Not one but two Meghan Trainor songs, and one of them with Asher? He’d flip his lid.

He and I shared a reluctant glance. He didn’t want to sing with me as much as I didn’t want to make him but secretly did want to sing with him.

Before we could refuse though, Eva lifted her arm and declared, “The bride has spoken.”

“Shit,” Asher muttered, but turned to Eva and said, “Whatever you want, baby doll.”

“Goodie.” She clapped and leapt forward to slap a kiss to his cheek. “You’re the best brother-in-law ever. Now play my song first.”

So, after Big T finished, Asher and I queued up Meghan Trainor and Charlie Puth and got it on. It was strange, standing so close to him when he sounded so amazing, smelled so good and looked so fine as we sang about sex together, all the while knowing I’d never get to touch him again.

I found myself glancing over at him as I sang a few meaningful lyrics, only to find his gaze on me as well. We kept eye contact for the rest of the song, and there was no way I could stop my arousal from claiming me full force by the time the last words left our lips.

He breathed out a heavy breath, staring at me, before saying, “Una más.”

I crinkled my eyebrows, even though my heart leapt with excitement, thrilled he wanted to sing one more with me.

“I want to do that one from the Tinker Bell movie,” he said, frowning as he tried to remember the title.

“‘1000 Years’ with KT Tunstall and Bleu?” I said, and he nodded, snapping his fingers.

“Yes. That one.” He looked it up, found it and, yowza. If singing “Marvin Gaye” put me in a certain mood, then “1000 Years” finished me off for good. Asher and I gazed into each other’s eyes as we promised each other that our love would still be around after a thousand years.

Tears glistened in my lashes as the last of the melody faded away. Then Asher took control of the microphone. “Before you start the song for Reese, I need to say a few things to everyone.”

I nodded, my heart hopping into my throat, because I kind of wished he’d say something about me, how he’d forgiven me and wanted to give us another chance.

But instead, he called, “Okay, so everyone, listen up.” He waved his hand to gain the crowd’s attention. “Pick told me I didn’t have to give a best man speech, but I’ve had just enough to drink that I think I’m going to anyway.”

He paused, waiting for the chuckles to die down before he started again. “I came to this establishment a little over a year ago, with no band, no real family to speak of, and no true friends. But thanks to one Patrick Ryan, I’ve gained all three. If it wasn’t for that man right there,” he pointed to Pick, “I would’ve given up on all the dreams I ever had. My band would’ve died out in its garage days, I wouldn’t have gotten to know all you * bartenders I work with and love to death...or fallen for all your lovely lady halves.” He bowed toward his group of friends. “And I never would’ve learned a couple months ago that I had a true-life, blood-related brother out there. Pick.” He fisted his hand and held it up as a kind of salute. “I am honored to be the little brother of an amazing man like you...and jealous as f*ck over the gorgeous, amazing wife and kids you got. Congratulations, man.”

Pick strode forward and pulled him into a huge bear hug. When he pulled away, he wiped tears from his eyes and then laughed as Eva leapt at Asher to hug him next.

Then Reese was there because she wanted to give a maid of honor speech too, but it wasn’t anything as amazing as what Asher had said...in my opinion, anyway. It did give me time to compose myself, because I was so happy that Asher had found a place to belong after a childhood of being so alone. But all too soon, Reese was thrusting the microphone at me, announcing it was “Dear Future Husband” time.

I sang her song, but I didn’t sing it to her. I watched Asher, and the entire time the words left my lips he watched me right back, guzzling from a bottle of Angry Orchard as he did.

After that, Quinn and Zoey approached to relieve me from my deejaying duty, saying they’d sing a few songs before they told me to go get some cake and punch and rest a bit.

I found myself alone by the refreshment table, burying my fork into a lush-looking slice of cake when suddenly the entire plate was slapped out of my hand.

“Don’t!” Asher snapped, his eyes wide with fear.

Glancing down at my empty hands, not even a crumb or hint of frosting to behold, I gaped a moment before returning my attention to Mr. Slappy. “What the hell?”

“I just overheard someone talking about how there was peanut oil in the ingredients.”

“Peanut...?” I started softly. Then I gulped. “Oh, shit. Thank you.”

He nodded and was gone again. I gazed after him, a small smile lifting my lips. But, hell. He’d remembered my allergy and saved me.

My hero.

Caroline caught my gaze then and sent me a thumbs-up, but I rolled my eyes, letting her know she was crazy. Just because he hadn’t let me kill myself didn’t mean the man was ready to hook back up with me, let alone forgive me. But a small part of me hoped she might be right, anyway.