Page 109 of Provoke

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What the hell is wrong with him?

I recall what Shelby had said. How he has a meeting with his father’s attorney.

It’s not until later, but maybe he’s just angry about having to have his whole day rearranged?

Either way, his current glare is pointed directly at me, and I am doing everything I can not to shrink under the weight of it. I’ve done nothing.

Well... aside from that whole sleeping with the boss thing.

Oops.

He flips around and heads back in the other direction, leaving a chill in the air in his absence.

“Something wrong?” Asher asks, looking over his shoulder.

“Everything’s fine,” I say, plastering on a fake smile. “I was trying to think about what we could do last minute for Lily.”

“She likes that mom-and-pop restaurant in Little Italy.”

I grin. “You just named most of the Italian restaurants there. Which one?”

“Oh, hell. I don’t remember. I’ll look on my computer when I get back, but I can make reservations for the three of us.” I nod, and he continues. “Let’s go on her birthday. Six work?”

“I’ll make it work.” I sigh, thinking about all the work I still have to do. “What are we getting her this year?”

It’s been a thing between the three of us for years. One wacky gift and one super sentimental. I’m typically the one who works on the wacky gift, while Asher is the sentimental one.

“I found this really pretty bracelet and necklace set through Tiffany’s. I think she’ll like it.”

I bob my head. “Perfect.”

“And, of course, we should set up a massage and facial at that spa you two love.”

“Yes. That we have to do!” I say excitedly. “Why don’t you let me book that, though, since I’ll go with her.”

He smiles widely. “My girls need pampering.”

“That we do, sir. That we do.”

He steeples his fingers. “Now for the wacky gift, what do you think?” he asks. “Edible undies? Purple bunny vibrator?”

I smack my lips together. “Why does your mind always go there? It’s a wacky gift, not a dirty gift.” I knock on his head twice with my knuckles. “Hello, Asher. Is anything up there but dirty thoughts?”

He chuckles. “No.”

It’s all he says, and I can’t help but laugh.

I check the time. “Oh, shoot. I’ve really got to get going now. I have a full day of work this afternoon.”

“Oh, yeah? Anything fun?”

I hesitate for a moment, questioning whether I should say anything. This is how the last fiasco happened.

“Never mind,” Asher says, lowering his head. “I get it.”

“I’m not going to say much other than I’m trying to hire some additional staff. I trust you, Ash, but I just think for my career, I can’t keep blabbing. Someone may get the wrong idea about both of us. I don’t want that for you.”

“Good point.”


Tags: Ava Harrison Romance