They were her happy memories, ones that had been buried deep when she withdrew from them because she hadn’t known how to react. He pulled her away but kept his hands still on her hips. When she looked up at him, those lovely memories vanished as that vile, little thought surfaced, the one of Jonas knowing what she did with Tanner.
It wouldn’t have been so bad if the rejection from a man she loved hadn’t been so harsh. She stepped away and suddenly felt extremely awkward.
“How have you been? School’s done, right?”
Clearing her throat that suddenly felt like cotton was lodged in it, Sasha could only nod. “Yeah.” She licked her lips and looked over at Rian, but he was still otherwise occupied with Michelle. “I, uh…”
God, this was a hell of a lot more uncomfortable than she figured, but then again what did she expect after not seeing him for so long? Come on, Sasha, this is Jonas. You have been friends with him your whole life. Besides you’re adults now, and you have no one to blame but yourself for this wall between the two of you.
Straightening her shoulders she smiled up at him and said, “Yeah, finally finished after four years and got my BA.”
“That’s fantastic, Sasha.” He took a step toward her, and her nerves had her wringing her hands together. “Rian told me you were moving back but never said a date.” He ran his hand over his hair, a gesture that reminded her so much of Tanner.
It was at this moment she wished she hadn’t detached from everyone and everything she had loved just because she was scared of things changing between them. That happened regardless, and it sucked.
“Yeah, I just got in yesterday.”
“He also told me you’re taking over the social worker position over at county?”
What else had Rian told him?
“Sad circumstances and all, but I’m lucky they are giving me the position fresh out of college.”
He nodded and looked over his shoulder. “I stopped in for a beer and ran into Rian. He didn’t mention you were here together, but then again, he has been eye-fucking Michelle since he walked in, I’m sure.”
And just like that, it felt like old times. As strange as it was, especially since she had been worry about the weirdness between them, Sasha felt herself relaxing.
It was easy to just be herself with him and push all her stupid fears aside, especially since it had been so long ago and she should have moved on.
Sasha chuckled because Jonas was so right, and she loved that he still spoke his mind. “When she came over with her tits almost hanging out, I decided it was time for a bathroom break.”
Jonas laughed and grabbed her hand. For a moment, he didn’t do anything but stare down at her, and sparks of electricity coursed through her veins at the innocent gesture of him holding her hand.
“Join me for a beer? Maybe we can catch up?”
Her heart slammed in her chest fast and hard, and beads of sweat settled along the length of her spine. Sasha smiled, knowing that they were adults and she needed to be in his life, because, in all honesty, she had been so damn lonely.
This was Jonas Ashbury, one of her best friends who just happened to be the man she had been in love with years ago. But had her love really gone away? The kindling in her belly told her maybe her feelings for Jonas hadn’t dissipated, especially when she had this kind of physical reaction to him from a simple touching of hands.
“Okay, I’d like that.” He gave her a little squeeze and led her over to Rian. Her brother looked up, did a double-take when he saw them holding hands, grinned, and stood. Michelle huffed in annoyance at the fact she had been dismissed so quickly.
“Damn, I haven’t seen the two of you together in too fucking long.”
Sasha felt her cheeks heat because, although Rian’s comment meant something innocent, she was thinking completely inappropriate thoughts.
“Shouldn’t you be getting some sleep seeing as I have a lot of work for you to do tomorrow?” Rian teased, and he embraced Jonas in the way men do. Half-hugs and slaps on the back.
After they all took their seats, Michelle came over for their drink order.
“I’ll take whatever you have on draft, thanks,” Jonas ordered and looked at her. She ordered a bottle of beer, and silence fell over the table.
“Am I missing something?” she asked once they were alone again.
They both looked at her. “Well, I like the flavor of a draft beer as opposed to a bottle or can.” Jonas smirked from his clear sarcasm, and she narrowed her eyes.
“I mean, what’s with you talking about a lot of work for Jonas tomorrow? It almost sounds like he’s your boss.” Neither said anything, and it clicked into place. “Rian’s your boss?” She addressed Jonas. She was confused as hell.
“If you ever asked about the shit that was going on back home, I would have told you I hired Jonas as my foreman.” She knew she got redder at Rian’s words because he was right. She had avoided any and all subject matter when it came to Hayven Hill because she connected home with the Ashbury twins.