The Four Beta Brothers

Chapter 13 - A Fancy Restaurant

JUNIPER

	“We really don’t have to leave,” I said as we waited for the valet to get Asher’s car. 

	He squeezed my hand and said, “I can’t sweep you off your feet if you’re uncomfortable, now can I?”

	“I’m ruining your plan.” I shifted on my feet, looking back at the restaurant. From here, it looked like the hostess had a scowl on her face, but that could have just been my imagination.

	Asher turned towards me and swept a piece of hair out of my face. He leaned in closer, and his breath touched my lips. “What can I say to make you believe it’s fine?”

	“I don’t know.” 

	He leaned in more, and our lips nearly touched—

	“Your car, sir,” the valet said.

	Asher pulled back and cleared his throat. He handed cash to the man and said, “Thank you for your prompt service.”

	“Of course. Ma lady.” The valet bowed with one hand behind his back and then he opened the door for me while Asher moved to the other side.

	Asher got into the car, and we took off a moment later. He checked his watch and said, “We should be able to make it there just in time.”

	“Make it where?” I had a feeling I wouldn’t get the answer to my question, but I still felt the need to ask at least.

	“Plan B,” he said with a sly smile.

	“Wait, you actually had a plan B?”

	“Well, I thought the restaurant would be a good idea, since most girls would have gone crazy for a chance to eat there, but then I thought about it, and you’re not like most girls. I wanted to have a backup plan just in case.” Asher smiled proudly. 

	“You are an over planner and overachiever, aren’t you?” I asked, feeling my body relax. I didn’t know where plan B would lead us, but it was clear it wasn’t another fancy restaurant. 

	“I like to succeed with whatever I do, so I like to plan for potential failures. Then I can either prevent them from happening, or fix them quickly.”

	I looked at Asher, and his nice clothes seemed to melt away. Even though he came from a family with wealth and power, he still worked hard, just like me. 

	“I don’t like failing, either. It’s why I study so hard,” I said.

	“In my family, failure isn’t an option. The world is always watching us—at least werewolves are.”

	I thought about the way the hostess instantly perked up when she heard Asher’s last name. While this town had a heavy werewolf population due to the college, there were still humans in town, and that hostess had no werewolf scent. “Apparently it’s not just werewolves. Humans know you, too.”

	Asher pulled his lips tight. “Humans care about money. They may not know the nature of who my family is, but they know our wealth, which instantly makes us more important to them. It gives a lot of connections.”

	“It’s a shame people care about money so much.” I wrapped my arms around myself. Growing up in Moira’s family was strange. They were nice to me and made sure I had the basics, but they spoiled Moira in a way they didn’t with me. If I wanted something special, I had to earn my own money for it.

	“Money makes the world go around, and because of that, it corrupts the soul. Sometimes I wish I could trade my life for one with more simplicity,” Asher said.

	“Me too,” I laughed. Asher gave me a strange look, so I explained, “If I had been born to a family in the middle of a pack, my life would have been easier. As is, I feel like I have to work hard to prove that I’m better than what people think of me. I can’t settle for less, or I’ll prove them right.”

	“One coin, two sides,” Asher said. “I have to work hard to prove I’m actually as good as people think. There are people out there waiting for me to fail, and I have to show them I’m as good as they all say.”

	I settled into my seat. “I’m not really sure which life I’d prefer.”

	“A life in the middle. One where nobody knows who I am, and I can just be me, no pressure, no standards.” Asher smiled at the thought.

	“Sounds nice.”

	Asher reached over and grabbed my hand, squeezing it. We sat in silence until we reached the next destination, reflecting on the idea of an easier life. When he finally stopped the car, I looked around, instantly recognizing the place.

	“The drive-in movie theater?”

	“Yup. You get comfortable, I’ll go get us some snacks. Any requests?” he asked. He turned off the car, waiting for my response.

	“Popcorn is a movie must.” 

	“That’s a given. Anything else?” 

	I shook my head. “Popcorn is perfect.”

	“I’ll be right back.” Asher stepped out of the car, and he jogged over to the concession stand. There was a small line, but other than that, the parking area was pretty empty. Drive-in movies weren’t as popular as they used to be. 

	I unbuckled my seat, and twisted my necklace in my hands as I waited for Asher to return. The car was a reminder of where Asher came from. The leather was pristine, and the car looked and smelled brand new. Despite that, Asher wasn’t what I had expected, especially after our initial meeting. He smiled and charmed to get what he wanted, but when it came to me, he was patient and understanding. He made sure to have a backup plan just in case I was uncomfortable with a fancy dinner.

	Asher was the definition of perfect as far as I saw him. 

	Then there was Axel. He was rash and uncaring. He acted like the kiss meant nothing to him, and I hadn’t seen him since that conversation. It shouldn’t have bothered me. I was on a date with Asher, yet I couldn’t stop wondering how Axel turned out so differently than his brother.

	Asher slipped into the car, balancing way more items than just popcorn. I took the popcorn from him before he accidentally spilled it and then surveyed the ridiculous amount of snacks in his hand. 

	“How much candy do you need?” I gawked, counting six different boxes in his hands.

	“I wanted to give us variety, and I didn’t know what kind of candy you liked, so I got one of everything.” He dropped the boxes onto the center console.

	I looked at the candy with wide eyes. “That’s way too much sugar, even for two people.”

	He grabbed one of the boxes with chocolate, ripping it open with ease. He dumped the candy directly into his mouth and then said, “There’s no such thing as too much sugar.” He held out the box towards me. “Want some?”

	“Sugar makes me crash. Seriously, with how much you eat, how do you not have diabetes?” The occasional sweet was nice, but I tended to prefer savory snacks over sweets.

	“I work out. I’m in great shape. I can show you if you want.” He smirked, following my eyes as I looked down at his torso.

	My face heated up, and I looked away. “Working out might keep you looking good on the outside, but sugar will destroy your insides.”

	Asher chuckled, completely amused by my reaction. “You only live once. I’m young, so I’m going to enjoy sweets while I can. If I can’t have the sweet things in life, then I don’t know what the point of living is.”

	I rolled my eyes and shook my head. “That’s a little melodramatic, isn’t it?”

	“Maybe, but I’ve lost enough in this world, and I know how short it can be, so I don’t want to stand by and let my life run off without me.” His eyes looked down at my necklace, where I was still holding onto it. 

	“I didn’t know you lost someone.” I looked down, thinking about my parents. I was young enough when they died that it hurt, but it faded over the years. Some days were harder than others, but most days there was just a void sitting at the back of my head where my parents should have been.

	“It was a long time ago, but that is a story for a different night. Tonight is about watching a movie with a pretty girl and maybe even making out a bit.” There was a twinkle in Asher’s eyes that made me laugh.

	“Is that the real reason you brought me here?”

	Asher put both of his hands up. “I tried to take you to a fancy dinner, but you didn’t want me to spend money on you.”

	“You probably spent just as much on candy,” I laughed. 

	“Only the best for you.” He winked and smiled brighter than I had seen before.

	“Do you ever stop flirting with people?” 

	“What can I say? I’m naturally charming.” 

	Asher’s cockiness was getting to him, so I decided to do something about it. I grabbed a piece of popcorn and tossed it at his face. He looked completely astonished, making me burst out laughing.

	“You’re going to get butter on the seat!”

	I grabbed another piece of popcorn and tossed it at him. “Want me to pay for the dry cleaning?”

	Asher’s eyes narrowed, and I felt a shift in his energy. “Oh, you’re going to get it now.” He grabbed the box of candy and started throwing it at me in return.

	I yelped, trying to dodge it, but there wasn’t anywhere to go to get away. He kept throwing the candy at me, and since I couldn’t dodge it, I lunged forward, trying to grab the box from his head. In the process, I hit my head on the ceiling and half fell into his lap.

	“Are you okay?” Panic filled Asher’s voice, but I couldn’t stop laughing.

	I knew anyone who had watched this interaction would think it was completely childish, but I didn’t care. It was exactly what I needed.

	“June, I’m serious. Is your head okay?”

	I grabbed a piece of popcorn and tossed it at his face. “Got you!”

	Asher gasped. “The nerve! Here I was trying to be a gentleman and make sure you weren’t injured, and you used the opportunity to strike me.”

	“It’s not my fault you let your gentlemanly ways get in your way.”

	“Are you saying I shouldn’t be as much of a gentleman?” His voice was low and completely different than before. There was a challenge and curiosity behind his voice that drew me in. 

	“Perhaps.” Curiosity burned in my body. I wanted to know what the other side of Asher was.

	He leaned down, and his nose brushed against mine, but our lips didn’t quite touch. “You are making it very difficult to not kiss you right now.”

	“Maybe that’s the point.” My breath quickened in anticipation. I wanted Asher to kiss me. My body ached for more of his touch. His first kiss was incredible, and after kissing Axel, I wanted to remember exactly how Asher’s lips felt.

	Asher cupped my cheek and stroked it with his thumb. He leaned forward, and it felt like a lifetime before our lips finally made contact. His touch was slow and careful, but I wanted more. I found myself grabbing his face, greedy for more. Slowly, Asher’s lips warmed up and moved with mine, taking as much as I was giving.

	Much too soon, he pulled away. He looked into my eyes, still stroking my cheek. “The movie is starting, and you are much too distracting.”

Chapter 14 - The Four Beta Brothers