Page 5 of From Asher, With Love

“Dating isn’t a priority for me, Jules,” I tell my best friend, not wanting my emotion to pour out with my voice. “My business is.”

“Both can be true at the same time.”

My best friend’s argument knocks me in my chest like a heavy rock. I nervously chew on the inside of my cheek, taking credence with her words. She has a point, even if I’m reluctant to admit it. I stare at the wad of gum stuck to the side of the curb before swinging my gaze back over my shoulder at the bar.

“Is he even single?” I think back to the last time I went on an actual date. It’s not that I’m against the idea of dating; I just haven’t found anyone who sees me for more than who I am on the surface. It’s hard to find an all-consuming kind of love when you’ve already experienced it once before. Mine just happened to be when I was seventeen. Sometimes I wonder if we’re only meant to find that kind of love once in our lifetime, and my chance has already come and gone. It’s part of the reason why I’ve abandoned my dating life to collect dust and cobwebs.

“As far as I know, he is.” Julianna inhales deeply. Her voice perks, picking up on my very slight interest.

“That’s reassuring,” I mutter unenthusiastically.

“Come on.” Julianna shamelessly begs. “I’m almost certain he’s single. Holt told me he hasn’t seen or heard him talk about any other women for a long time. Just sit down and have one drink with him. For me?”

I swallow and look down at my feet again. My bare legs have practically turned into two sticks of ice at this point. I’m surprised my best friend is so focused on my love life. Maybe it’s easier for her to look at mine with hope and possibility rather than her struggling relationship with Taron.

Finally, a cab pulls alongside the curb in front of me. I stare at my reflection in its window, watching the white puff of air leaving my mouth with every breath I exhale. Swallowing the doubt I have about Julianna’s not-so-subtle set up with this stranger, I think of my business. I’ve worked so hard these past five years to get where I am, and I can’t pass up the opportunity to become a bigger success. I don’thaveto walk into this bar and sit with him thinking about this as a blind date. It’s a business meeting—one I desperately need.

“I’m still not sure it’s a good idea to date the man who is going to potentially help me franchise,Charleigh’s Florals.” I huff, shoving my hand into the pocket of my peacoat.“But… okay.Onedrink.”

“Yes.” Julianna squeals. “Perfect.”

I roll my eyes and spin on my heel, leaving the waiting cab where the sidewalk meets the street. Swallowing the lump of nervousness in my throat, I fully considering the fact that I’ll now be meeting this stranger by myself because Julianna happened to come down with a case of food poisoning.

A blast of heat slams against my face the moment I step through the threshold of the bar, swallowing me whole. Despite my hesitance about meeting this stranger without a clue as to who he is, I’m thankful I’m at least inside now, soaking in the warmth. It’s a comfort to my anxiety ridden nerves.

I elbow my way past several of the patrons, who are packed in like sardines, but I keep my phone pressed to my ear, hoping Julianna’s voice drowns out the loud chatter surrounding me.

“So, how am I supposed to know who I’m looking for?”

“Oh…” Julianna pauses. “Um, hang on. I’ll search him up and send you a screenshot of his picture.”

“What’s his name?” I ask, but she must have already pulled her phone away from her ear.

While I wait for Julianna to get back on the phone, mystomach twists into tighter knots, anxiety and nerves taking over. I’m tempted to sneak my way over to the bar and flag down a bartender. A shot of tequila would make a quick cure for the nerves.

My shoulders fall when I don’t spot an opening within the crowd. There must be at least two rows of people blocking the bar. Deciding to just grab a drink when I sit down, I continue making my way farther inside.

“Okay,” Julianna breathes back into the speaker. “I just sent you his picture.”

I pull my phone away from my ear and look at the screen. No new texts or messages. “No picture. It must not have come through yet. What’s his name?”

“Oh, no,” Julianna’s voice garbles. A loud crash followed by the sound of her hurling fills my ear. I stop where I am and scrunch my nose. Instinctively, I lift my phone away from my ear until it stops.

Julianna groans in the background. “Ew. There’s nothing worse than vomiting into a toilet. I’m almost certain.”

The corner of my mouth lifts into a meek smile. “Jules?”

“I’m here,” she whines. “I should get off the phone. I feel another round coming on.”

My shoulders sink again. “Okay.” Although she isn’t physically here with me, her support over the phone has been helpful. “I love you, Jules. Feel better and keep me updated.”

“Thanks,” she grumbles. “And keep me updated about your meeting.”

“I’d say I’ll call you afterward, but something tells me you won’t be up to it.”

“Probably not.” She burps. “Oh, no, it’s happening again. I’ve got to go, Char.”

I hang up with my best friend, inhale a deep, resolving breath, and brush my hair away from my face, threading myfingers through my loose waves. I put Julianna’s suggestion of turning this into a date out of my mind. It’s only making me more nervous. Instead, I focus on the expansion of my business.

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