ASHANTI'S POV "Liar!" "I'm not lying!" "Why don't you have a girlfriend? No one has caught your attention yet?" I ask, smiling, and deep within me, I'm amazed.
Never did I think Ryan and I would ever get to discuss something like this. He never opens up to anyone at home. Not even our mum. He does like me! "Nope." "Alright then, look around...maybe someone will." "What kind of big sister encourages her kid brother to find a girlfriend in a club?" "Look who's talking." My forehead creases as I give him a queer look. "Someone who never does things the conventional way!" He takes a chug of his drink and nods.
"Touché." "So tellwhat I need to know." "I'm waiting for my mate." He calmly deciphers and I'm dumbstruck with awe. That's the sweetest thing I've heard in a while. I shoot him a surprised smile. "Yeah. I don't see myself being with anyone else but the one who was destined for me, so I'm waiting for her." "That's... that's... enchanting. She's one lucky girl." "You think?" "I know." "But I'm weird." "No, you're not!" I deny firmly, shaking my head from side to side as I try to find a better way to say what I want to say to him. "You're just different." "In a weird way." He insists. I shake my head in denial.
"In a special way." I correct him. "In a cool way. Jeez, do you have any idea how cool you are?" "You think I'm cool?" "Has no one ever told you?" He goes mute and I know that's because he has been told. Several times.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtI wink at him and take another sip of my drink to let him digest all that I just said. His social battery will soon run out and I know after this, he's going to need about one week to recharge himself. I'm already ready for the one week of ghosting that lies ahead.
"Will the beautiful lady permitto get her another drink?" A voice asks from my left side and I quickly turn to see who it is.
Another stranger.
A good-looking young man.
I flash him a tight smile.
"No. Thank you." He looks at Ryan.
"I hope I'm not interrupting..." "Yes, you are!" I answer quickly.
"No, you are not!" Ryan contradicts me, stepping down from his stool. "Feel free." He gestures to the man to take his seat. "My only issue is for her to be in one piece by the tI return." "You have nothing to be worried about." Ryan winks atbefore disappearing into the crowd.
I'm going to kill him.
I look back at the man who's now occupying Ryan's seat with a serious expression on my face.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"How do you know that's not my boyfriend or mate you just chased away?" I ask calmly, firmly. The man smiles, displaying his perfect dentition.
"Two reasons. Number one, he looks too young and number two, I kinda overheard a part of your conversation with him. You're siblings. The identical pitch-black hair sells you out." I playfully roll my eyes at him.
"So, you're a know-it-all." The man throws his head back and howls in laughter. That makesgiggle.
"I'm just a man who wants to buy you a drink."
"Oh..." I shoot a brief glance at my glass before looking at him again and shaking my head. "That won't be necessary. I'm going to leave when I'm done with this round. I'm just passing by." "I insist." "Don't sweat it. I won't accept your drink."
"Well then, if you won't letbuy you a drink, how about you lethave t your first and last dance for the night?" He givesa lopsided smile that reveals his cute dimple. Gods! He's so handsome! Focus, Ashanti.
Focus! "First you ask to buya drink and then you ask for a dance... What next are you going to ask me? My virginity?" "Very funny!"
A stern response comes through, but it's not from the man sitting in front of me. It's from behind me. I whip my head back to see who it is and terror rakes its claws down my spine when my eyes fall on Alpha Reagan. He looks like he's ready to set something on fire.
Fuck!