Page 122 of One More Kiss

“That’ll only draw this out, Asher. Please, let me go.” I whisper, tears filling my eyes making me grateful for the dimming sky.

“So, this is your answer? Running away from this? Running away from me?” He asks his voice sounding rough.

“I can’t do this, Asher! I can’t hurt Margot for a fling with her brother.” I say a little too loudly.

Asher jerks back, his hand rising to his chest gripping his shirt. “Is that what this was for you?” He asks looking down at the ground like the sight of me is too much.

“Isn’t that what it was going to be?” I ask choking back a sob.

“Genevieve, I have loved you so many times at so many levels. I loved you when I watched you and Margot for cash as a friend. I loved you like family, but it was so much more than that. I am so damn in love with you that the thought of you leaving feels like my chest will crack open, so my heart can follow you.” He breathes shakily.

“You are my person, Gen. Why can’t you love me the way I love you?” He asks.

“It would destroy Margot.” I exhale.

“So, love me anyway!” He yells hitting his chest, his face turning red.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper before turning and walking back towards the hotel. My chest feels like it’s just been caved in, and I try to convince myself that I was doing the right thing.

Margot was still asleep when I got back to the hotel room, so I just crawled in next to her and tried to will myself to sleep.

I stared at Asher’s bed opposite ours for I don’t know how long before the beep of the hotel lock clicked open, and Asher stumbled in. His hair looked disheveled, and he reeked of alcohol. The last thing I saw before I closed my eyes was his blank ones before he turned away from me, not letting me see him.

I got maybe a couple hours of sleep before I finally got tired of tossing and turning and decided to go for a walk to get us some coffee and breakfast, something other than strips.

I feel like I’m just going through the motions, like I’m doing things I normally would without the thoughts or function. I feel like, somehow, I just lost my best friend...

On the walk back to the hotel, last night plays through my head like a movie, exhausting me with the knowledge of how it plays out. I had to make an impossible decision, and this one seemed the most likely way that I would get to keep both of them in my life.

I stick the key card in the slot opening the hotel door. “You’re an idiot.” Margot growls toward Asher’s form on the bed before he rolls back on his side.

“Takes one to know one.” he grumbles.

“I brought coffee,” I whisper eyeing them both.

“He’s going to need it and a fucking shower. He smells like he rolled in tequila last night, what happened? I thought you guys went down to the beach together?” She asks taking a sip of her coffee.

I take a gulp of my own to delay answering. “We did, but I decided to turn back in early.” I say simply, turning away from my best friend to avoid her eyes.

She eyes me carefully before grabbing a muffin and turning back around gathering her things for a shower, leaving bits of crumbs as she goes. I can already feel that it’s going to be a long day.

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