Not that I could do that on my channel. I would never chance getting hit with a ban, but also who knows what might happen with my sponsors? They could end up pulling out because they’re not okay with the sudden change. They aren’t giant, but they keep me from having to get another job.
It’s nice to be able to make my own hours, but I worry that if I went in that direction, it could kill my chances of ever being taken seriously in the gamer world. It’s a dream of mine to one day release a game I’ve been slowly building over the last year. Would that kill any chance of that? Who am I kidding? Having a vagina might have killed that already. It’s why some girls create usernames that sound like guys. Asher is a sexy name.
I go to steal another peek, wanting to know if the blonde lured him away, and I realize I’m jealous. It’s not an unfamiliar feeling because most of my life I’ve spent wanting things everyone else around me had. But feeling this over a man is very new to me.
When I turn my head, I gasp and then start to stumble back a step. I realize too late that Asher is right behind me. He’s so close I’m not sure how I hadn’t felt him catch up.
“I was starting to think you’re running from me,” he says, and he’s not wrong.
I’ve been dodging his handsome ass since I laid eyes on him. The rush of feelings that swept over me scared the crap out of me, and it’s been no easy feat trying to hide. He’s the best man and I’m the maid of honor, but somehow I’ve managed to avoid him until now. Thankfully I don’t think there’s much left of the wedding before I can slip out of here. They’ve got to cut the cake and toss some flowers, then I’m gone.
“I’m not running from anything.” I tilt my chin all the way up to meet his eyes.
“You’re a terrible liar.”
“Am not,” I blurt out, and he throws his head back and laughs. That sound is rich and sexy as hell, and I never realized a laugh could be a turn-on.
This man is dangerous, and it doesn’t help that he’s friends with Samuel. It probably means he’s a good guy, and he’ll break my heart in the sweetest of ways when we don’t work out for one reason or another. People always break your heart—even my sweet Parker chipped at mine a little when it was time for her to go.
“Then if you’re not running, dance with me.” He offers me his hand, and I stare down at it for a long moment. Oh shit.
“It’s now time to cut the cake,” the wedding planner announces, saving my ass.
“Sorry, that's my cue,” I say before I turn and take off once again.
When I look back, Asher is smiling as he watches me make my quicky escape to the other side of the ballroom. Another blonde, in a red dress this time, tries to snag his attention, but he steps around her, his eyes never leaving me as he continues to chase.
Damn, that’s hot too.
Chapter Two
Asher
“Asher, honey, be a dear and get your father for me. I want cake.” My mom walks briskly by me, not even waiting for me to answer her. Probably because she knows I’ll do exactly as she says. Damn it.
Turning away from where I see the maid of honor, Lexi, standing near the table, I go in search of my dad. Well, technically my stepdad, since Samuel’s dad married my mom when we were in middle school. It’s my brother's wedding day, and I won the sister-in-law jackpot.
Parker is perfect for my brother, and with the way he loves her, I know that he’s truly happy. She’s good for him, and I know she feels the same. But even with all of that, I can’t help but be a little jealous of what they share. Sam lives next door to me, and we’ll always be family, but I don’t see me popping over every day unannounced anymore. It’s not that I don’t want Parker to be a part of our lives, I think I’m just going to selfishly miss his free time. Knowing Sam the way I do, he’ll devote all of his time to his wife, and honestly, that’s the way it should be.
“Dad,” I call when I see him outside smoking a cigar with some of his buddies.
The wedding is small, but our family is even smaller, so most of the guests are friends or work colleagues. It was weird Parker didn’t have any family here, but when I asked Sam about it, he said he’d tell me later. Maybe it’s something he’s not ready to share, and I respect that. I guess I just have to get used to being out of his loop.