Until November (Until, #1)(10)

Asher's not saying anything and I realize I'm rambling. Crap. “So we're just gonna go.” I turn to leave but he grabs my hand, pulling me back.

"Hey, not so fast. You caught just surprised me. I didn’t expect I would see you here."

“Well, I really like your grandma and she likes Beast so if you just tell me the days you’re gonna come, I’ll make sure not to show up then.”

"That's not gonna work for me.”

“Okay,” I say, feeling my shoulders slump. “Well, have a good day.” And don’t fall off a cliff. I say it under my breath as I turn to walk off again.

“Meet me tonight," he says and I know that I must have heard him wrong. His rough voice and his southern accent are making it hard to concentrate on what he is saying. I swear I heard him wrong. I look over my shoulder.

“What?” I ask, scrunching my nose.

"You, me, tonight, beer, a game of pool?"

“Um…" Nope, didn’t hear him wrong. I look around to make sure that it’s still just me and him in the parking lot.

“It's just a beer,” he says, smiling.

“You’re kind of a jerk,” I tell him. It’s something he probably hears all the time.

"I can be but it's still just a beer, November.” The way he says my name makes me think that this is a lot more than just a beer and a game of pool. Plus, when a guy admits that they are a jerk, is that really a good thing? “Just meet me at the Stumble In at seven,” he says, taking a step closer to me. All of the sudden, I can feel the heat from his body, smell the scent of his cologne and I can finally make out the color of his eyes.

“Light blue with gold flecks,” I mumble to myself. My lips part and my eyes glaze over. All my senses are on overload.

“Pardon?” he asks and I realize that I just said that out loud.

“Nothing,” I mumble, still staring at him. I realize that I probably look like an idiot so I take a step back. He smiles, revealing one perfect dimple and I know in that moment that I am so screwed. Crap!

“Meet me at seven,” he repeats, taking a step closer to me. His hand comes up, moving my hair to behind my ear, and I'm totally lost. Just floating away in a hot guy fog.

“Um…” I blink, trying to pull myself together. “Okay, seven,” I say, wondering what the heck just happened. The words are out and I need to get away from him and his Jedi mind tricks. I turn to go but get tugged back. I almost fall on my butt when I turn my head and see Asher squat down to pet Beast.

“Alright, babe. Seven. See you then." His smile gets bigger, like he knows something I don’t. He stands from his squatting position and winks. I turn around because I need to go, go, go before I throw myself at him and ask him to help me give Ms. Alice great grandbabies.

“Come on, Beast.” I tug on his leash but he wants to stay with Asher. “I know the feeling, boy,” I whisper.

*****************

Walking into my dad’s house, I'm assaulted by the smell of garlic and butter. I stop in my tracks when I realize that he’s home. “Crap,” I whisper to myself. Dad’s home. Of course, he's home. We have dinner together every night. I try to act normal as I walk into the kitchen. My dad is standing in front of the stove, wearing an apron that looks like a girl in a bikini. I start laughing. "Hey, now. What's so funny?" he asks, smiling.

“Nothing, Daddy,” I say, giggling.

"I'll have you know that your uncle got this for me."

“I'm sure Uncle Joe did,” I say, smirking. Uncle Joe is a funny guy.

“Well, I like it. I look hot," he says, holding his hands out to his sides.

“That you do,” I agree, shaking my head. “So what are we having?” I ask, hopping up on the counter.

“Shrimp Alfredo, garlic bread and salad."

“Yum. Sounds good. I'm leaving at six thirty to head to the Stumble In,” I say, glad that it sounds casual.

"The Stumble In? Why are you going to the bar on a Thursday. I'm not driving you to drink already, am I?"

“Um… No, I'm meeting someone there?” I say, asking rather than telling him. Please don’t ask who, I pray.

“Is that a question or are you meeting someone?”

“Well, I um…ran into Asher at the nursing home when I was visiting his grandmother and he asked me to meet him.”

“You’re meeting Asher at the bar?" he asks with a look on his face that doesn’t bode well for me.

“Yeah, it's just a beer, Dad,” I say, using Asher's words.

"I don't know how I feel about this. I know you’re not a kid but Asher is not the kind of guy I expected you to date. Don't get me wrong, he's a good man.” He shakes his head. “Just promise me you’ll be careful. I don’t want to see you hurt.”

“Promise, Dad,” I say quietly. The last thing I need is to get my heart trampled on again. Been there, done that. And Asher’s boots look like they would do a lot more damage than my ex’s. “Besides, Dad, he knows I'm new in town and feels bad for me or something.”

“Or something,” he says under his breath and I ignore him.

Dinner was awesome and Dad quickly dropped the uncomfortable conversation about Asher. Thank God. So now I am standing in front of my closet, trying to pick out what to wear. What do you wear to a bar to have a beer with a hot guy that you don’t want to like?