Chapter 12
Chapter 12:
“Me too, Mark,” I nearly groaned back. “Alright then, I’ll check my email p>
“Bye, Asher p>
“Bye, Mark,” I replied before hitting the red button to end the call.
A heavy silence settled in the air between Isla and me. A silence thick with the weight of what we had done—something we probably should never have done. I wanted to glance at her, but I couldn’t bring myself to look at her angelic face. Still, I knew I needed to say something. Right now.
“Isla,” I began, trying my best not to fumble my words. “I’m so sorry, but I need to tell you some p>
“Asher.” She turned toward me, clearing her throat. “Asher, don’t apologize for what happened. You shouldn’t. Part of it was my fault too. I… I kissed you back, and I know I shouldn’t have done that p>
I tilted my head, confused, my heart squeezing painfully. “Isla, I don’t… I don’t understand. I kissed you too. In fact, if I hadn’t kissed you, none of that would have happ p>
“Asher, it’s fine,” she cut me off. “Let’s forget that anything like that ever happened between us. It… it was a mistake p>
My mouth fell open, but no words came out. It felt like all the moisture had drained from my throat, my pulse hammered as if stabbed by a thousand daggers.
If she called what we did a mistake, then I feared what she would say if I ever confessed my feelings for her. She would probably call that a mistake too. She would never accept what I felt, and everything we had—our friendship, our history—would go up in flames like that.
I didn’t want to lose her. I didn’t want my stupid feelings to be the reason our friendship ended. So I had to swallow them. For now. Maybe even try to get over them.
But I knew it would be futile. I had been trying for nearly half a decade, and it had never worked. Not even once.
I would have to live with the illusion of distraction.
“Alright, Isla,” I finally said, forcing my voice to stay light.
“Uhm, are you still going tonight or p>
“Yeah, I am,” she answered quickly, clearing her throat. “My bags are already packed,” she added, pointing upstairs.
“Alright then,” I stand. “I will help you bring them to my car p>
“Your car?” she asks, also getting up to her feet.
“Yeah, why are you surprised?” I reply, baffled by her question.
“Nothing. I thought I could use an Uber or something.” She shrugs.
“An Uber? What makes you think I would allow you to use an Uber when I have a car that can comfortably and safely take you home p>
𝗦𝗲𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓇𝓈 𝒍𝒊𝓿𝒆 𝑎𝓉
“Asher, you have done a lot for me already. I feel that I should let you, you know, rest.” She rubs her hand over her right arm.
“And you think my mind will be at rest with you alone in an Uber with some driv p>
“It is an Uber, Asher,” she cuts me off, pinching my arm lightly. “It is not some kidnappers’ truck.” She chuckles.
God, I love that sound.
“Well, I want you to be safe, Isla. And please stop pinching me so hard. Your fingers are lethal.” I poke my index finger against her forehead.
She winces and rubs the spot. “Yours are lethal too.” She fires back, flashing me a fake annoyed look before turning around and heading upstairs.
We are back to our normal playful selves again, but I wonder how long this can last before the tension shifts between us once more. Especially now that I have had a taste of her.
The tip of my tongue subconsciously runs over my bottom lip, tasting the raspberry scent that still lingers there. It must be from the flavored tequila I saw her drinking earlier at the resort. I may be in control of my feelings for now, but I am worried I might lose control again. I wonder if my restraints can hold me back, and even if they do, how long they can keep me in check before I slip out of control again.