10. Asher

“Yep, and just the two beers.” I hold up two fingers to the bartender.

She gives me a wink and uncaps two bottles of Corona, shoving a lime in each neck before popping them on the tray.

“Thanks.”

I double-check the drinks order and am about to take it to the table when Mick snatches my arm.

“Wait, wait, wait! We’re gonna need more than two pizzas. Come on, man.” She gives me a droll look before going back to scanning the menu.

“But I’ve already paid,” I mutter.

She ignores me, calling the bartender over again. “Yeah, can we add a couple more things to our food order, please? We’ll take two large fries and a basket of onion rings, and let’s chuck in a plate of those chicken poppers with extra ranch.”

“Good God, woman, we’re not feeding an army.”

“We’re feeding a pack of hungry cougars—that’s about the same as an army,” she argues while I glance over my shoulder and notice another person has joined our table.

Great, another mouth to feed, making Mick even more right.

Who is that, anyway?

I narrow my eyes, about to ask the little shorty beside me, when my stomach pinches into a hard knot.

“Aw, shit,” I grumble. “Who invited her?”

“What?” Mick glances up at me, then frowns and turns to see who I’m talking about. “Oh, is that Lani? Cool. I can’t believe she came.”

“Why did she come? She never even wants to be at these things.”

“Maybe she’s got a break between assignments or something.”

“Whatever.” I roll my eyes. “She’s probably found some extra work to do. The girl doesn’t know how to relax.”

“Okay, fine, so maybe she’s here for Caroline. Trying to be a good friend or something.”

I scoff, turning back to rest my arms on the counter. I’ll take the drinks over soon. I just need a minute.

“What is your problem?” Mikayla laughs out the question. “Do you really hate her that much?”

“No.” I frown. “I don’t hate her. She hates me.”

Mikayla’s look is downright comical, but I don’t hear myself laughing. If anything, my frown grows that much deeper.

“Stop looking at me like that,” I grouse.

“I can’t help it. You’re twenty-one, dude, and you sound like a fifth grader.”

“Shut up. I do not.”

“Ah, yeah, you do.” She bulges her eyes at me. “We’re all grown-ups here. You can handle being around someone you don’t like for one evening.”

“I don’t not like her,” I clarify. “She doesn’t like me. As soon as I get to the table, she’ll probably want to leave.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know!” I hedge. Like I’m going to admit to our searing kiss or the fact that I can’t stop thinking about her.

“Okay.” Mick pats my arm. “How do you know she feels this way?”

“Because she told me.” I turn to give her an emphatic look. “Right to my face.”

Mikayla’s mouth pops open. “She said it your face?”

“Yes. She told me she hates me and that nothing I say or do will ever make her change her mind.”

Mick’s eyes spark. “Well, that’s a bit of bullshit right there.” She looks back to the table, then up at me. “I know you’ve got some douchy qualities…”

“Thanks?”

“But”—she holds up her finger—“you’re a really lovable guy. So that girl over there is not allowed to hate you.” Mikayla clicks her tongue. “She obviously just doesn’t know you that well yet.”

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. “She doesn’t want to get to know me.”

“Well, tough shit for her. She’s here. You’re here. We’ll be eating at the same table. She’s just gonna have to get over herself.”

Rearranging my hair back into place, I steal another glance at the table and mutter, “Maybe I should just go.”

“Or…” Mikayla’s face lights with a grin. “We could have ourselves some fun.”

My eyes narrow as my ears start burning. What is this lil’ mouse up to?

“Fun?” My tone is dry and skeptical.

“Yeah.” Mick wiggles her eyebrows. “I’m gonna wager ten bucks that you can’t make her smile.”

Dammit, this woman knows me too well.

A bet? I can never resist one of those!

“Ten bucks.” I grab the bottle of beer off the tray and take a swig. “If I can make her smile, I win ten bucks.”

“Yep.” Mick nods like she’s all proud of her smarts.

I snicker and stick out my hand. “Let’s make it twenty.”

“Deal. I wanna see how much this chick really hates ya.” Mick laughs, skipping away from the bar with our table number and leaving the tray of drinks for me.

I slide it off the bar, carefully navigating my way around the crowds of people, making it to the table without spilling a drop.

Mick’s already climbing onto a stool next to Ethan while I place the tray down and start doling out drinks. Lani’s standing right beside me, stiff as a two-by-four.

I give her a side-eye, then sense Mikayla watching me. She winks before taking a sip of her ginger ale and whispering something to Ethan.

Great. So now he’s gonna know, and the pressure will really be on. His eyes dart to mine, and that classic Ethan smirk comes into play.

Ignoring the way his mouth pulls up at the side, I get to work.

I am not losing a twenty to the shortest person at this table!

Clearing my throat, I pull the empty tray toward me and turn to Lani.

“Hi, there.” I force a smile.

She gives me a deadpan stare, and there go my cockroach legs, wanting to scuttle away to freedom.

Forcing a charm I’m far from feeling, I remind myself that winning a bet, no matter how small it is, will make me feel better. “Can I get you a drink?”

“No.” Lani’s dark eyebrows rise. “I can get my own drink.”

“Suit yourself.” I hold out the tray. “Can you return this for me at the same time?”

“Uch.” She lets out a disgusted snort, snatching the tray off me and storming toward the bar.

Caroline cringes while Mick rolls her eyes. “Great start, Casanova.”

“Hey.” I click my fingers and point at her. “It’s twenty for a smile. I’m not trying to win her fuckin’ heart.”

“Yeah, well, I can guarantee you won’t with that kind of attitude.” Mick pins me with a pointed glare before her lips break into a triumphant smile. “I’m just stoked that I’ll be leaving here twenty bucks richer when you crash and burn tonight.”

“You’re such a little shit.” I shake my head but end up grinning at her.

Ethan gives me an unimpressed glare while Mikayla throws her head back with a laugh and Caroline leans in with a curious frown.

“What the hell are you guys up to?”