RunawayBridesmaid: Number.
BoomChick: Just because I give you my number doesn’t mean I’m going to send you nudes or something.
RunawayBridesmaid: I gave you the extra money to make sure you don’t give your number or nudes out to anyone else. If those are available, I want the first offer.
I don’t know what it is, but I sense some underlying possessiveness. I chew on my bottom lip, feeling a small tingling in the pit of my stomach. Is it a thrill?
BoomChick: Deal.
RunawayBridesmaid: Good girl. Now give me your number so you can go and get your lunch.
My heart flutters as my fingers move on my own, and I send him my phone number. I exit out of the chat and go completely offline. My phone chimes again, but it’s not a text. It’s the Cash App again. He sent another $100 with a note attached.
Good girl.
Lunch is on me.
This may not be so bad after all.
Chapter Six
Asher
I’ve got my keys in my hand and I’m rushing out the door as I send the last deposit for lunch to her Cash App. I have no idea where Lexi lives, but I know she goes to the same university Parker went to, and it’s small enough that I could possibly run into her. By accident, of course.
When I get to the main gate, I see the guard step out and wave at me. “Heading to Costco?” George asks, and I smile back.
“Not today. Have a good one.” I say the last part hoping that I can speed this along. I know everyone thinks it a joke that I go there so much, but nobody is upset when I’ve got all the good snacks and paper towels.
It feels like it takes forever for the arm to rise before I’m able to get out on the main road. When I’m close to the university, I slow down and scan the sidewalks as I drive around the campus and to where most of the nearby restaurants are. Would Lexi treat herself with her extra money today or would she still go to the student union for cafeteria food?
Luck is on my side when I turn the corner and see her standing there in all her glory at the red light waiting to cross the street. I spot a parking space to the right so I grab it then hop out while keeping my eyes on her.
She’s far ahead, but I see when she ducks into the sandwich shop and I know I’ve got her. At least for now. Now all I have to do is convince her to come home with me so I can introduce her to my headboard.
“Dine in or carry out?” A woman at the door stops me, and I glance around to see if I find Lexi. “Sir?”
She’s sitting in the corner booth looking at her phone, but I see a drink in front of her.
“I see my girl,” I say, and the hostess moves out of the way.
Without really knowing what else to do, I walk over and take the seat across from her. She looks up and then back to her phone before her head snaps up again and there’s total shock on her face.
“What are you doing here?” She looks around like the answer is somewhere behind her, but I just sit back and smile.
“Having lunch, you?” Just then the waitress comes over with a notepad and saves the day.
“What can I get you two?” She looks between us, and after a beat Lexi answers.
“The tuna melt with fries,” she says, and I nod.
“I’ll have the same.”
“He’s not eating with me,” she tells the waitress, but I sit back in the seat and spread my arms over the back of the booth.
“Take your time on that order, will you?” I smile at the waitress and turn on the charm, and to my relief, it works. She blushes a little as she nods and turns away.
“It’s not fair you can get women to do what you want,” Lexi grumbles.
“I couldn’t keep you from trying to ditch me at the wedding.” I raise an eyebrow in challenge, and she crosses her arms over her chest.
She’s not in the tank top anymore, and it’s probably a good thing. If I had to stare at her tits right now, I’d probably come across the table and stuff my face in them. The oversized hoodie looks so fucking cute on her with her hair pulled up and her glasses on. It’s a transformation from earlier, but damn, I’m still hard for her.
“I wasn’t trying to ditch you.” She can’t look at me as she says it and takes a sip of her drink.
“Liar.”
“Did you come looking for me?” Now she’s changing the subject. Sneaky.
“You tell me, little rabbit. Why would I do something like that?”
“Rabbit?”
“They like to run.” I wink at her before I grab her drink and pull it across the table in front of me. “Sweet tea?” I drink from her straw, imagining her lips on mine, and then slide it back across the table to her.