Page 115 of One More Kiss

I groan as I read my best friends concerned back-to-back texts coming through one after another.

Me: First, I’m fine I had forgot about it. Second, my mom threw a little bit of a fit. I’m okay. Just tired.

Margot: I’m coming over.

I roll over until my face is pressed against the pillow and my phone pings again. I ignore it.

I must have finally dozed off because I’m startled awake by the sound of a ram hitting my front door. Rather it sounds like it from Margot’s heavy pounding.

“Open up, bitch!” Margot yells.

I rub the sleep from my eyes as I unlock and open the front door. There Margot stands in her shorts, tank and slippers with her fuzzy throw blanket and favorite pillow she insists on bringing with her to every sleep over. And there behind her carrying an overnight bag, stands Asher. Fantastic.

“About time. What were you doing? Oh my God, did you have a guy in here?” Margot asks walking by me.

“No, I was sleeping you psychopath.” I groan shutting the door behind them.

“Well, I told you I was coming.” She says.

“I know, sorry. It’s been a long few days.” I say moving towards the kitchen to turn on the light.

Margot wraps her arms around me tightly, “I’m sorry I’ve been a shitty friend. I’m doubly sorry that you’ve had my brother as my replacement. And I’m so sorry about your mom,” she whispers in my ear. I wrap my arms around her hugging her back, not realizing how much I needed my best friend until now.

“Me, too. It’s okay.” I say a tear sliding down my cheek.

“I’m going to go get settled in your bed, okay? You can tell me all about it.” She says already moving towards my bedroom.

“Your mom did that to you?” Asher growls out through clenched teeth moving towards me.

“She didn’t mean too,” I reflexively lie.

“How did she not mean too?” His fingers brush lightly over the bandages on my cheek contradicting his sharp whisper. My breath catches in my throat at the feeling, not of discomfort, but of electricity shooting from the places his fingers touch on my cheek.

He cups my other cheek, leaning closer. “No one hurts you anymore. Not ever,” he says and my stomach flutters. His lips brush across mine ever so slightly causing a whimper to escape from my throat at the contact and a groan escapes his.

His hand slides down the side of my throat until its cradling the nape of my neck. His lips press harder against mine, parting and licking the edges asking for entrance. My gasp is all the invitation he needs before his tongue touches mine softly and my hand instinctively tangles in his hair.

“Hey, Asher did you bring the candy?” Margot asks causing me to break away from his lips sharply. I turn toward the sink.

“Asher?” She asks again entering the kitchen. My face must be burning, because I can feel Asher’s stare against my back.

Clearing his throat, “Yeah, it’s in the overnight bag.”

“Gen, are you okay? Did you upset her?” She accusingly asks him.

“I’m okay. Just tired. I think I’m going to turn in early. Everything’s hitting me at once, you know?” I say already walking towards the bedroom. My fingers touch my tingling lips, and I can’t help the smile that takes hold even though I’m panicking inside.

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