Page 64 of The Desperate Warrior

“Ah, no wonder you’re so keen on updating your system. If mine goes screwy, you’re the one to call, huh?”

“I don’t know about that,” he laughed. “It was a long time ago. But it did teach me the value of work. I guess I have my dad to thank for that, just as you have yours.”

“Time to dive into the main course,” Darla announced. “We’ll begin with the chicken skewers.

For someone who claimed not to cook, Asher was pretty adroit at the prep. Jules, on the other hand, bumbled her way through the process.

After they’d loaded the marinated chicken strips onto the skewers, Asher surprised her by asking, “If it’s not too personal ... are you seeing anyone?”

The question caught her off guard. For a moment, she didn't answer. Her gaze drifted across the room to Brock, who was laughing at something the older woman beside him had said. His eyes crinkled with amusement, his profile defined and lean, even in the glow of the softer light. An ache mushroomed in her chest—sharp, sudden, and undeniable. She pulled her eyes away from him and shifted her focus back to Asher, who was waiting for her answer. “I was,” she said at last. It didn’t work out.”

He nodded. “Same. I was engaged.” He hesitated. “But we wanted different things.”

She gave him a sympathetic look. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.” He gave her a wan smile. “It happens,” he said practically.

“It does.” She couldn’t help but throw another glance in Brock’s direction.

Throughout the evening, she could feel Brock’s eyes on her. He was not pleased that she was getting along so well with Asher. His gaze trailed her movements, hardening whenever she laughed too freely at something Asher said.

A tiny part of her delighted in making Brock suffer. Maybe it was the feisty side of her, or maybe it was the part still bruised from how things had ended between them. But seeingBrock stew, knowing he was jealous? Well, that twisted bit of satisfaction settled deep inside her chest.

Asher leaned close and brushed her cheek.

She blinked in surprise, not comfortable with his familiarity.

“You had a little flour there.”

“Oh. Thanks.” Instinctively, her hand went up to wipe the spot he’d just touched.

His voice softened. “Has anyone ever told you that you have fascinating eyes? A little green ... a little gold.”

A nervous laugh slipped out before Jules could contain it. Where was this coming from? Did Asher wake up one morning and suddenly decide he had a thing for her? The two of them had worked together for years, and he’d not once given her any indication that he was romantically interested in her. Err … that wasn’t exactly true. She remembered how Mindy had teased Jules in the break-room about how Asher was showing her interest. At the time, she’d brushed it off as Mindy being overly dramatic—as usual. But now? Maybe Mindy hadn’t been as off base as Jules thought. She wasn’t sure what to make of Asher’s attention. She realized he was watching her, waiting for a reaction. “Uh ... thank you.” Geez, this was awkward. She certainly didn’t want to give Asher the wrong idea. Maybe flirting with him a little to taunt Brock wasn’t the best idea.

She glanced at Brock, who looked like he might charge across the room any second.

Okay, it probably wasn’t a wise move on her part to rouse up G.I. Joe.

“Is your cousin okay?” Asher asked with a frown.

Jules shrugged in a nonchalant manner. “Hard to say. He gets worked up pretty easily.” That was an understatement.

“Do I need to be worried?”

She forced a laugh. “Uh, probably not. Hopefully not,” she added with a sheepish smile when he looked doubtful.

After the cooking portion was over, everyone gathered around the communal table to eat the dishes they had prepared. Brock made a point of sitting on her right, and Asher took the left. The tension was immediate.

Finally, unable to take it anymore, Jules turned and hissed, “What?”

Brock’s jaw clenched. “Was that really necessary?”

“Was what necessary?” she asked, playing innocent.

“Are you trying to drive me crazy?” he growled.

She cut her eyes at him, her voice going sugary sweet. “By doing what?”

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