Page 77 of From Asher, With Love

Asher keepshis hand on the small of my back when we step out onto the rooftop. Golden string lights hang from one end of the building to the other like a thousand tiny stars against the black sky. The city sits below us, continuing on for miles. Music pumps through the speakers, vibrating the concrete at the balls of my feet. Hundreds of people mingle and move about. I don’t recognize a single one of them. Julianna really does know a shit ton of people. I guess that’s what it’s like when your last name is Capuleti.

I focus on Asher’s hand resting on the small of my back as we make our way into the party. It’s been nearly two months since he showed up soaking wet at my apartment. And the night he took me to his apartment, telling me about his dad, has brought us even closer.

We haven’t talked about the future, and I think, right now, we don’t need to. Other than him helping me find a bigger storefront. The first place Asher showed me went quickly off the market, but we’re still looking. I haven’t responded to any of Cyrus’s continued emails, even after I sent him one after the last phone call I had with him, declining to work with him. Thankfully, his emails stopped two days ago. But Asher and I are taking our renewed relationship day by day.

I feel a bit of peace knowing the only ones standing in ourway this time is us. Though Asher’s hand on my back tells me he wouldn’t want me anywhere else than with him here at my best friend’s thirtieth birthday party.

“About fucking time!” Julianna shouts over the music. She lifts her arm in the air from the other side of the roof and waves us over.

“Yeah.” Asher leans down, speaking into my ear so I can hear him over the music. “She definitely would have tracked us down and turned us into a crime scene for being late.”

I giggle and elbow him playfully in the side. The smile that blooms on his face is enough to melt my panties… if I were wearing any.

When we reach Julianna, she’s standing with Selene, her sister London, and a man I’ve never seen before.

“Happy Birthday.” I smile, wrapping her up in a hug. I hold her out at arm’s length, taking in her silver-sequined mini dress and the diamonds scattered in her hair. She looks like a disco ball. “You’re stunning.”

She flips her pin-straight brown hair over her shoulder, eyeing me up and down. “As are you, babe.”

She turns her eyes to Asher and points to me. “You better keep your hands off my girl until you get home. She’s mine while you’re both here.”

Asher scoffs, laughing. “Now, that’s an unfair request. You’re setting me up for failure.”

Julianna narrows her eyes, then smiles. “Let’s see if you pass the test, then, Mr. Egan.”

“No guarantees,” Asher offers up with the smile that makes my heart jolt.

Selene laughs, passing Julianna to give me a hug. “Don’t scare Asher away just yet, Julianna. They just got here and haven’t even had a drink by the looks of it.”

Selene wraps her arms around me. “You look beautiful,” shesays into my ear. “I love this dress. It’s very you.” She loosens her hold on me. Her blonde locks are pulled into a low, side mermaid braid. It drapes over her bare shoulder—a sharp contrast to her black, off-the-shoulder mini dress.

“Thank you,” I tell her. “So do you, as always.”

Selene steps back and holds her arm out to London. “Remember my sister, London?”

“I do.” I grin, pulling her in for a hug.

London’s pink lips spread into a soft smile. She returns my hug and tucks her long, raven hair behind her ear. Her and her sister are truly night and day. The thin gold rings on each of her fingers glint in the lights.

“It’s good to see you, Charleigh.” She tilts her head to the side. “I’m sorry we’ve only met the once.”

Selene links arms with London. “Hopefully, you’ll be able to see her more often. Still trying to convince her to move here.”

London rolls her gray eyes, her glittery eyeshadow sparkling as much as her rings. “She won’t let up. But I’m still not sure.”

“I run a large corporation in Boston,” the man beside London chimes in. I’d almost forgot he was standing in our group. He curls his lip. “Makes it difficult to move.”

“Oh,” London says, placing her hand to her forehead before placing it on the man’s shoulder. “This is my husband, Heath.”

“Nice to meet you.” I smile, taking in his sharp, clean appearance. He’s taller than Asher, and his brown eyes darken.

“You, too.” His mouth twitches with barely a smile in return.

“What corporation do you run?” Asher asks, and I release a breath. I look at London, and she gives me a small smile before tucking herself under Heath’s arm.

“My family owns and runs RealLine.”

Asher’s eyebrows shoot up. “The pharmaceutical company?”

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