The Girl's Got Secrets (Forbidden Men 7)

“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 asshole 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 fuck 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.

I returned to the microphone and sang a few more songs. Since Big T had to open the restaurant the next morning, he took off early, but that was fine. I was having too much fun to care that I’d be hoarse as hell tomorrow. And besides, a couple other people were willing to give me a break and try their hand at karaoke. The most surprising pair were a drunk Ten and Asher as they stumbled toward the stage, their arms wrapped around each other’s shoulders before Ten announced, “We want to sing ‘I Just Had Sex.’”

Then Asher pointed and laughed, “No, he wants to sing it. I’m just here for the backup Akon part...and to watch Noel kick his ass.”

&nbs

p; I lifted my eyebrows, then I chuckled and shook my head. “Ten? You seriously sing?”

Ten scowled as if offended. “Fuck no, but I’m drunk enough to right now. Plus it’ll really piss off my brother-in-law, so...I must!”

I laughed and had to ask, “Your brother-in-law?”

“Noel. Didn’t you know he was Caroline’s brother?”

“He is? No, I had no idea.” My eyebrows arched as I scanned the crowd to see Caroline and Noel gathered around Brandt , Colton, Sarah, and Aspen. “Huh.”

So I handed the microphone over and started the song for them.

As soon as Ten belted out the first line, covering Lonely Island’s part of the duet, an outraged Noel yelled, “You motherfucker,” as he marched forward.

Afraid Asher might get caught in some crossfire, I stepped in and held up my hand to stop him. Crazily enough, he didn’t try to get past me, but he did stay there and glare and flip Ten off, calling him a few dirty names.

Asher bent over, laughing so hard he could barely sing his lines. But he straightened up by the end, and even as slurred as his voice was, he sounded amazing.

Watching him have such a good time was taxing, though. It was selfish of me to want to be the only one to make him smile, but I couldn’t help it. I’d fallen hard for this man.