AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Asa looked to the ceiling like he was praying for strength or patience, or possibly an alien invasion. “What am I doing here, André? We’re not friends. We don’t ‘do lunch.’ Just tell me what you want.”
That was fair.
André drummed his fingers on the table and blew out a breath. Asa watched him, a crease forming between his brows.
“I’m going to ask Nikki to marry me.”
Asa’s expression shifted and he immediately looked bored. “Oh, are you?”
André held back a smile. He’d anticipated Asa’s cynicism and it was nice to be right.
“Yes.”
“I suppose you want my blessing or something?” Asa leaned back in the booth and rested his arm along the back of it.
“No.” André shook his head. “Nothing quite so antiquated. I’ve already spoken to her parents, just to be respectful. But I don’t require permission from anyone to ask her to spend the rest of our lives together.”
Asa’s mouth opened slightly and he blinked. He’d surprised him.
“You’ve already told her parents?”
André nodded. He’d called them yesterday. They were so excited that he knew he needed to speak to Asa before Bob and Mary spoiled the surprise.
Asa’s gaze grew distant. He brought his arms off the back of the booth and rested them on the table.
The server returned with their order.
André added the house hot sauce to his tacos. Asa didn’t touch his food. He just stared at the table.
“Who else knows?” Asa asked, voice terse.
“Just Bob and Mary and now you.” André bit into his taco and closed his eyes. This place was awesome. Someday he’d tell Asa it was also his favorite restaurant. Not today. It was too soon for that.
But they’d get there.
“Why?” Asa asked, face stony.
“Because I love her,” André answered matter of fact. Again, he’d anticipated this response.
Asa rolled his eyes. “You’ve said that before.”
André sat back and sipped his ice water. That hot sauce was no joke.
“I know Nikki has forgiven you and all’s well in your world,” Asa continued. “But I was there when you broke her heart. I know what you did. I can’t just forget that. I will never trust you.”
André wagged his head back and forth, disagreeing. “Well, you trust me a little.”
Asa jerked back, affronted. “I do not.”
“You do a little.”
“No, I don’t.”
André scrunched his nose. “A tiny bit you do.”
Asa laughed despite himself and shook his head. “No.”
“Asa.” André leaned forward, serious. “It’s okay that you hate me.”
