Matches | √

Chapter Five

glint | a person's eyes shining with a particular emotion

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1/31/17

"YOU KNOW THAT doesn't mean anything, right?" Asher asks with a slightly hardened tone as he pulls up to my house to drop me off from our shopping adventure.

I clutch the bag in my hands, pulling it into my chest lightly at his words. Because I know it doesn't mean anything, and yet I hate that his words prick at my heart.

"I know," I state simply as my head turns to take in the attractive man next to me.

His gray eyes roll over me like clouds on a storm filled day. His jaw hardens just a smidge as he takes me in before he faces his steering wheel once again. "Good," he tells me as his hands slide over the wheel, his knuckles whitening from his grip. I don't know what has him wound, but it's tight and he seems ready to pop at any moment.

Ever since we left the mall we've barely exchanged any words besides my quiet directions to my small house. I didn't mind the silence that surrounded us, but now I'm worried something really is wrong. And the crazy part is I'm not even worried about losing him as a friend, if I can even call him that. I'm worried about losing the one thing that makes me feel on edge in the best way possible.

"Just want to make sure you're not falling for me," he teases but his words come out terse.

I bark out a dry chuckle. "I would never," I tell him honestly. Because I truly believe I could never fall for my best friends biggest crush, let alone Asher Lawton as a whole.

He turns his head sharply at my words as his eyes narrow ever so slightly. Like my words angered him, which is odd considering I'm agreeing to never fall for him. Just like he wants. But maybe, just maybe he wants me to fall for him just to prove to himself that everyone falls for him.

Asher's hand shoots out and before I know it his fingers are caressing my cheek causing me to involuntarily lean into the warmth of his large palm. His simple touch on my skin ignites a heat that spreads throughout my whole body.

His face is confused, angry, tempted, and everything in between as he continues to stroke my cheek with his thumb and watch me. It's as if he's at odds with himself, which if anything I should be the one in that position.

Before I can process what's happening Asher leans in, and leans in until his lips are a single breath away from mine. Away from a kiss. A kiss I know would ruin me, but ruin me in the most beautiful and destructive way possible.

So I pull away as Asher's eyes lace with confusion. Because I know I won't survive that, and because my best friend means everything to me.

I back out of his grasp and away from his perfect lips that I know would kiss me the way I've secretly dreamed of being kissed.

"I'm sorry," I whisper in the suddenly confined space shaking my head. I wet my dry lips and clear the emotions that flood my throat. "I can't," I tell him before I run out of his car and into my house.

I wake up from the vivid memory of how the events ended for me a couple of days ago. Sweat lines my forehead and my shirt feels damp against my clammy skin. Remembering what I did that day makes my skin crawl with embarrassment, but also a weird tingle of excitement because I've never done anything like that with anyone.

I don't push the boundaries with anyone or in any relationship. If I do it's in the smallest way possible and only with my best friend. But Asher, he challenges me in a way that makes me want to not push, but shove back. Prove I'm not just the girl in a corner who's beyond quiet and can't think for herself.