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“Anne, how are you?” I hugged her back, and noticed her father standing with a man who was almost his height but a few inches shorter. Who was he? His grey eyes met mine. His long hair was tied into a manbun at the back of his head, and his beard was trimmed neatly. It was clear that he took great pride in his appearance.
Oh, he is hot!
Both of the men were dressed in Hawaiian shirts, but only Asher’s shirt was buttoned up while his companion’s wasn’t, revealing his very toned body.
“Hello!” he greeted, waving his hand as he approached me. “I’m Jax, Asher’s closest friend and colleague, and you are?”
He’s a bit forward.
“I’m Brooke, nice to meet you.” I offered him a smile, and he took my hand, pressing a kiss on it.
“I’m the gentleman between us.” He pointed to Asher who stood behind him, rolling his eyes.
“Cool,” I laughed as I pulled my hand from his.
“Where are you going, Brooke?” Anne tugged my dress, and I smiled as I took her hand in mine. Anne was the best neighbor I had ever had. Her father was the worst.
“Yeah, you seem dressed and ready; what are you doing for the day?” Jax asked, and I wondered if anyone had ever told him that he was quick to familiarize himself with new people.
Asher sighed and leaned against the wall as he watched us instead of joining in the conversation.
“Oh, I’m just going to the mall to get a few things.” Yup! That was my “being with other people” plan for the day. The mall.
“That’s a terrible way to spend your day; come to a BBQ with us at the captain’s house,” Jax offered, and Asher looked totally done with his friend.
“I don’t want to impose,” I declined respectfully, and Jax clicked his tongue, waving away my response.
“You wouldn’t be imposing. Come to the BBQ and have fun with us. You shouldn’t be shopping when you could be snacking on ribs and burgers,” he reasoned, and Anne giggled, pulling my hand as she jumped.
“Yeah, Brooke. Come with us, it’s going to be fun!” she squealed, and I really wanted to go, but I also didn’t want to seem too eager.
“You sure?” I asked softly, and Asher’s eyes met mine, his mean deadly glare letting me know that he didn’t give me permission to go with them. Well, good thing he wasn’t the one inviting me! “I’d love to come!”
Of course, Asher expected that as he huffed and began walking toward the elevator, calling for Jax and Anne to hurry up.
“Great! Get a bathing suit because we’re gonna be swimming!” Oh, how fun!
I quickly got my bikini, sunscreen, and towel, throwing a few extra items into my tote bag before joining the people who had offered the cure for my Saturday boredom!
We got to Jax’s car, and my eyes widened when I noticed Asher sitting in the passenger seat of an Audi RSQ8. Jax opened the door for both me and Anne.
I made sure that Anne was buckled into her booster seat, and she expressed her excitement with a squeal and told her father to play some music in her uncle’s car.
“Aren’t you glad I brought the Audi today, darling?” Jax joked as he looked at Asher with a silly smile, and I bit my lip to stop myself from laughing.
“Just shut up and drive, you moron,” Asher grumbled, and Jax blew him a kiss before he pulled out of his parking spot, and we were on our way.
I was going to spend my day not obsessing over my best friend’s date with my ex-crush, and I’d get to disturb Asher’s peace because there was nothing better to do!
We finally arrived to the captain’s house, and I was a bit nervous because the only people I knew properly was Asher, Anne, and Jax a bit.
There was a fair number of women and children that balanced out the lawn that was swarmed with burly firefighters. Anne immediately joined the children that were running around, and I smiled when I saw her hug a girl who might’ve been a few years older than her. It was cute!
Jax immediately grabbed a beer and passed me one as he wrapped his arm around my shoulder, calling for everybody’s attention.
What was he doing?
“Everyone, this is Brooke, Asher’s neighbor!” he introduced me, and most of them seemed to have a knowing look on their faces as they nodded.
