Page 4 of From Asher, With Love

“No.” She disagrees. “I’m sorry you’re going to have to meet Holt’s friend without me.”

“Okay, we need to quit apologizing to each other.” We both giggle but my smile slowly fades. I wince, then tuck my lip nervously between my teeth. “But maybe we can try to meet up another night. When you can be here.”

“Stop, Charleigh.”

“What?” I ask, pretending not to know what she’s getting at when I know exactly what she’s thinking.

I’m terribly shy and won’t hesitate to leave if it’ll help me avoid a night full of uncomfortable conversation and stretches of awkward silence. I don’t do well with blind meetings, especially when it’s just me, but the longer I stand here, the more I realize it isn’t simply because I’m an introvert to my core. Anxiety about what tonight means settles into my bones. This night is big. Big for my business, and an important step in achieving a dream since I plucked my first flower at three years old and pressed it between the pages of my favorite book.

“You’re not getting out of this one,” Julianna argues.

I shrug, even though I know she can’t see me. “I’m not trying to get out of anything, just postponing. This meeting will be awkward without you. I already think it’s strange that Holt won’t be here since he’s his friend. What am I supposed to say to him?”

“Charleigh…” Julianna sighs for the third or fourth time. “You’re there to talk to him about your business plans. It’s important you meet with him. Expanding your business has been something you’ve been wanting for years, and now that opportunity is within reach. And what, you’re going to pull out now because Holt and I won’t be there? No way.”

My silence allows her to continue, though.

“He’s one of the biggest real estate agents in the country, Charleigh. If you want the best shot at expanding your floral business, he’s your guy. He’ll probably be more inclined to help you since he’s friends with Holt.”

Holt is Julianna’s older brother. He also happens to be running the largest publication company in the world and has connections deep within the glitzy, glamorous lifestyle of New York City. Despite Julianna and Holt’s endless wealth that’s inception runs as far back as the previous century, Julianna is one of the most down to earth people I’ve ever met. Her older brother included.

But something tells me that isn’t the life they project to just anyone. Only a select few, me included. And, considering I come from a similar background but have dedicated the past several years of my life keeping my head down by living as unassuming as possible, I relate to them probably more than they realize.

“I get it.” I shiver. “But it feels kind of odd that it’ll be just the two of us. Suddenly, this feels like a blind date.”

Silence. Silence so loud, the background noise of the city is drowned out, and I can hear every breath passing Julianna’s mouth.

“Wait. Jules…?” A knot forms in my chest.

“Hang on, Charleigh. Let me explain,” Julianna is quick to defend.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” I groan and blow out a heavy breath while I quickly glance up and down the street, hoping to spot a cab to flag down before my toes snap off. That’s it. I wave the white flag. There’s no way I’m continuing this meeting now. “I’m not doing this. I should’ve known.”

“Should’ve known what?” Julianna pretends to be clueless, her voice meek and cautious.

“You setting me up,” I huff, wrapping my arm around my middle, tucking my frozen hand under my armpit. “This isn’t just a business meeting, is it?”

“No.” I can imagine the wince on her face.

“Julianna,” I groan. “I can’t believe you set me up. Are you truly sick, or was this part of your plan?”

“No! I really am sick. I wouldn’t lie about that.” She pauses, the sound of her heavy, weighted breath hitting my ear. “I do believe he can help you with your business, but I won’t deny there’s a part of me that’s maybe thinking this could be an opportunity.”

“Opportunity for what?” I ask, shock settling in. I can’t believe Julianna went this far.

“We’ve been friends a long time, and you’ve barely dated in the time we’ve known each other.”

My stomach flips. I haven’t thought about my love life in a long time.

For a reason.

I’m surprised to hear my best friend is more invested in it than I’ve been, or that she’s even noticed. Have I truly been that obvious in avoiding my love life like it’s the bubonic plague?

“I didn’t realize I needed to date someone to be happy, Jules,” I mutter, ready to throw this night in the nearest back-alley dumpster.

“You don’t,” she agrees, her voice softening. “But I’m not going to pretend I don’t see the sadness and loneliness in your eyes, wishing you had someone other than your best friends to share your life with.”

My throat swells, and I swallow around the lump building, unwelcome tears pricking the back of my eyes. I did have someone before, when my heart hadn’t been expecting it.Someone who shared the same hopes and dreams. Someone who lied next to me, staring up at the stars that mapped out the life we had planned on sharing together.

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