Page 48 of Charming
“I’m not saying I do, but I can’t even log into social media accounts without being blasted with entertainment headlines and whatever is trending, and you’ve definitely trended more than once. Which I have to say is so weird to say to you.”
“Why?” he presses.
“Spending time with you has been so…”
“Yes?” His brows raise and he watches me expectantly.
“Normal.”
His head falls back and he laughs, “I am normal – in every way. You know that for yourself,” he says suggestively.
“Yes, it’s totally normal to have starring roles in movies, have women literally throw themselves or their clothes at you, propose marriage on social media – yes I saw that headline too – and to have more money than God.”
“Okay fine, so I’m not exactly normal in every way I guess, but I don’t get caught up in all that Hollyweird shit. I’m not interested. I love what I do, and I’m lucky to be doing it, but I’ve told you, it’s not what makes me who I am. I also have great friends and family that helps keep me grounded when I need them. But usually, I can do that on my own.”
“So the rumors?”
“Most of them have been just that. And if the rumor is with an actress I’m starring in a movie with it’s normal and pretty predictable that rumors about us dating start to circulate. A lot of times the production company doesn’t do anything to contradict them either. In fact, sometimes they initiate them. All press is good press they say.”
“Does that ever bother you?”
“It never has because the people that matter to me know what’s what. Besides, all you have to do is look at photos from any of the award shows I’ve gone to.”
“Why’s that?”
“I always bring my mom or sister.”
“Aww, that’s so sweet.”
I swear a blush comes to his face, “It’s not that I couldn’t get a date if I wanted,” he says cockily.
“Nope, too late. I already think you’re super sweet now. And a momma’s boy. You can’t change it and try to make you seem like a player. I know the truth.”
He grins and I don’t think he particularly cares that I know the truth. My guy is a softie.Whoa, my guy? Where did that come from?
“Speaking of friends,” Asher says as he looks down at his phone. Holding it to his ear he gives me a brief smile, “No, we don’t want to go out with you again,” he says without a greeting and I shake my head at his rudeness but he just smiles and mouths, “Well we don’t.”
“Tomorrow morning? I don’t know…” I raise my brows in silent question. “Hold on.” He puts his phone down, “Hunter wants me to meet him for breakfast in the morning. We have a couple things to discuss, not sure if I mentioned that Hunter’s kind of my assistant.”
“What? He is? No, you never mentioned that.”
“Well he’s been my friend for ages, but he’s one of the only people I trust so I asked if he would take the job and he did.”
That explains a lot. I mean, I knew they were friends but he also has a vested interest in Asher’s career so he’s protective of him on more than just a personal level. “Well go meet him for breakfast. It must be important.”
“I doubt it’s anything that can’t wait, like I’ve already told him, but I should quit blowing him off. You sure you don’t mind?”
“Not at all.”
He makes arrangements for an early breakfast and we enjoy the rest of the day at the pool, at times cooling off -or alternatively heating up- in the water, standing under the mock falls, swimming, imbibing in delightful summer drinks, or otherwise, sunning. The time could hardly have been more perfect.
We go back to our room and take a quick shower together before we get dressed for the evening. I don’t ask Asher what I should wear, I know what I want to put on. Slipping on a floral sundress that’s sheer but lined, I love its weightless feeling on my skin. It crosses in the front, ties at the side, and where the ruffled hem meets in the front as it wraps, it’s a little shorter. The showstopper is that it’s completely backless. Foregoing undergarments I search for the pink flip-flops that match the pink in my dress but I can only find one; instead I elect to go with my sparkly gold ones.
Ready, I step out from the dressing area and Asher’s appreciative glance devours every inch of me. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you,” I respond, in turn admiring his navy blue pants and white shirt rolled up on his forearms. “You look edible,” I tell him and he smiles wickedly. I can almost hear the dirty thought running through his mind.
Taking my hand he leads me out of the room. I’m surprised to find that we aren’t leaving the resort at all and when we walk past the pool and onto the beach I look at Asher in question. He just smiles and turns to the man that walks up to him. “Mr. Charming, we have everything ready for you.”
