“That’s the truth.” I took a swig of beer. I was still feeling irritated about Claire. Hell, maybe this is what a crush felt like.
Becket took off, and I stood up and stretched.
“You know if you like her, it’s okay,” Phoenix said.
Ever since he fell in love and got married to his childhood nemesis, he’s been the relationship therapist of the family. He was head over heels in love and wanted us all to feel what he was feeling.
“She’s my employee, that would be irresponsible,” I reminded, which meant I wasn’t denying anything.
“For the next four months. It’s seasonal work. She seems different,” he said, watching me carefully.
He wasn’t wrong. “I’m not going there, but thanks for the approval.” I winked.
Phoenix laughed. “We’ll see.”
I shook my head and laughed too. “Thanks for the beer and the ear. Gonna try not to think about our mother in the same country as us too much.”
“Seriously, that’s messed up,” Phoenix agreed.
“Have a good one,” I said to him.
“Night, Ash,” he said.
I left the bar and walked toward my cabin. What I needed was a good night’s rest, but when I reached the walkway that led to the cabins, I saw Claire, and she looked like she was dressed for going out.
F-me.
CHAPTER 13
Claire
I locked my cabin, and I was heading toward my car when I noticed Asher walking down the path to his. Perfect timing. There was no pretending I didn’t see him, with our gazes locked and his jaw twitching. His eyes swept over me once.
His shoulders squared almost instantly. “Hey.”
“Hi.”
I kept walking toward him anyway.
“Where are you headed?” he asked.
His voice was calm but firm. The same tone he used with seasonal workers when something wasn’t safe.
I crossed my arms instinctively. “Out.”
His gaze dropped briefly to the black jeans I was wearing and the black tank top before looking up at my hair. I had dolled myself up on purpose, which may not have been a smart move, but I knew Nico was a couple of years older than me, and I knew I had curves that could drive a man crazy.
“Out where?” Asher asked with concern.
“That’s not really your business,” I said, as if he wasn’t aware.
He stepped closer, lowering his voice instead of raising it. “It is if you’re walking off my property at night dressed like that,” he said. “So let’s try again.”
I hesitated, but the look on his face said he wasn’t backing down, so I gave in. “I’m going into town.”
“For?” he continued. Damn, he was stubborn.
I exhaled. “To see Nico.”