Page 78 of From Asher, With Love

“Yes.” He nods, scratching at his freshly-shaven jawline with a blank expression. “That’s the one.”

“It’s my birthday,” Julianna chimes in, rolling her eyes. “This conversation is boring, and we’re here to celebrate.” She looks at Asher and me. “You both need a drink.”

“I agree,” Asher says, pulling me closer, resting his hand on my hip.

“Should we go over to the bar?” I ask.

“You can,” Julianna says, glancing over her shoulder. “But there are servers walking around with trays of champagne and cocktails, so whichever you reach first.”

Asher looks over our group, searching the crowd. “Is Holt here?”

Julianna waves her hand flippantly. “I think he’s over by the bar talking with some of his coworkers from the magazine.”

“Oh,” Selene says, looking at Julianna. “Didn’t you say Lottie Anderson was here?” She eyes the group. “She’s one of the top columnists at Holt’s magazine. I love reading her articles.”

“I think so,” Julianna says.

“I’ll see if I can flag her down later,” Selene mutters.

The music grows louder and switches to a more upbeat tune. A server happens to pass by us, and Julianna swipes two glasses before she hands one to me, then Selene. London grabs one too, slinging it back before the three of us get the chance.

“That’s the spirit, London,” Julianna cheers, raising her glass in the air. She hoots and hollers, clearly enjoying how her massive birthday party is playing out.

“Didn’t realize this is where everyone was gathered.” Holt suddenly appears beside Asher. He shakes his hand, then Selene introduces London and Heath.

Holt takes a sip of the brown cocktail perched in his hand.

“Selene was just telling us about one of your columnists, Lottie Anderson,” Julianna blurts out.

Selene shoots Julianna a glare. Her cheeks flame red as she lifts her glass to her mouth and downs the fizzy drink in one gulp.

Holt eyes Selene, then grins deviously. “Oh yeah?”

“I like her articles,” Selene mutters, not meeting Holt’s eye.

“Huh.” Holt clicks his tongue. “You’re not a bad writer yourself. At least that’s what I’ve heard. I’ve never read your work.”

“I’ve been working on a novel, so I don’t have much to show right now.”

Holt winks at Selene. “I doubt that.”

I’m stifling my laugh when Asher leans down and brings his mouth to my ear. “I see West by the bar, so I’m going to go grab a drink. I’ll be back later.”

I lean into him, feeling his breath feathering my neck. “Okay.” I remember him saying he’s meant to meet with West tonight to discuss the expansion of his bar chain.

Asher gives me a soft kiss on the forehead before leaving the group.

Another waiter stops by, offering more champagne. I still haven’t finished the glass in my hand, but I grab another one anyway. I quickly finish my first and place it back down on the silver tray.

“Hell, yeah,” Julianna says. “Let’s go dance.”

Julianna grabs my and Selene’s arms, already pulling us away. “London, let’s go.”

London finishes her new glass of champagne and follows us, leaving her husband standing with Holt. The four of us move out onto the dance floor set in the middle of the rooftop. It glows brightly beneath us, the tiles changing from bright blue to red to green with the music. We dance in a circle, and I lift my handsin the air, feeling free and content. I’m swaying my hips when Selene leans in, shouting over the music.

“You look happy.”

“I am happy!” I shout back. “It’s Jules’s birthday.”

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