Page 32 of Charming
“Oh, that makes me feel so much better,” I grumble.
“It should. Of all the people he could have approached at the beach that night, he walked up to you. Right?”
“Right,” I tell her slowly starting to feel more confident and silly over the fact I was being so insecure. But then it hits me. This isn’t because I’m nervous to be with Asher. The chemistry between us is off the charts and just thinking about being with him again makes my thighs clench together. This is because of all the shit with Jeremy. It’s not because I’m still hanging on to feelings for him or feeling like I’m not ready to move on, this is because his affair has made me doubt myself. Why the hell am I letting him have that control over me? He doesn’t deserve to have any impact on me whatsoever. I’m being so stupid. I tell Katie my realization and add, “Part of me thinks that if I wasn’t enough for a loser like Jeremy, then how am I enough for Asher?”
“Babe, you can’t compare them. That’s not fair to you or Asher. What happened with Jeremy was because of something inside ofhim. It didn’t have anything to do with you. He was unable to handle an independent woman and wanted someone that would hang onto his every word and be completely reliant on him. You aren’t that kind of woman, thank god. He’s pathetic and you should count your lucky stars that you saw the light with him.”
“Yes,” I tell her more emphatically, “you’re right. And I amsogoing to get my sex on.” My voice is confident, but not too loud because I would die if Asher heard me.
“Hell yes you are. My job here is done. I knew I felt a need to call you for a reason.”
“I’m glad you did.”
“Me too. Now don’t overthink it again. Go with the flow. If it happens, it happens, if it doesn’t, okay. But take a deep breath, enjoy the attraction between the two of you and go be a unicorn.”
“Did you say aunicorn?”
“Yes. A unicorn. Go get your horn on. Get it?”
“Oh my god.”
“I know, right? I’m amazing. In fact, I think I’m going to put that on a t-shirt. No wait, maybe a necklace. Or a mug!”
“Alright, Katie. I’m going to hang up so you can go get started on your merchandise store.”
“You laugh, but you just wait and see. You’ll totally want a necklace too.”
“Bye, Katie,” I say while she continues to talk to herself, mumbling something about tote bags and pens and who knows what else.
“Okay, bye!” she says and I giggle.
Wrapping a towel tight around my body, I finally leave the bathroom wishing I had thought to bring clothes in with me. Stepping into the room, I find that Asher is awake and propped against the headboard flipping through the TV channels. “You’re awake?”
He nods, “Have a nice shower?”
“Yes,” I reply.
He finally turns to look at me and does a double take when he sees I’m only wrapped in a towel. For one crazy heart stopping moment, I think about dropping it, but I don’t. He stands up and moves in front of me, his eyes devouring every exposed inch. Tracing a finger along the top of the towel, he smiles, “How likely are you to let me take a picture of you right now?”
My eyes narrow, “Not very.”
He sighs regretfully, “It was worth a try.” He grins and then places a soft kiss on my lips. “But seriously, it should be a sin to look this good in only a towel, princess.” He runs his fingertips down the side of my arm and it leaves goose bumps in its wake. “Did I hear you talking to someone?” he asks glancing at the phone tucked in my hand.
“What?” I ask still looking at his fingers on my skin.
“Were you on the phone?”
“Oh. Yes, Katie called me.”
“She okay?” he questions and I love that he even asks.
“She’s great. Just checking in.”
“Ah, okay. Well, I’m going to get in the shower myself and when I’m out, let’s go to dinner. Sound good? You’re hungry, right?”
“I am,” I nod.
“Okay, I’ll hurry,” he leans over and gives me a lingering kiss on the lips and I can’t help but feel like it’s a prelude to later.
