Beautifully Awake

“Ash, buddy, I’m so glad you could make it.” The two men shook hands and embraced in a man-hug, slapping each other’s backs. I smiled watching Chase’s affectionate sentiment.

“C, it’s been too long, we’ve got to get back here more often.”

Chase glanced over his shoulder. I placed my napkin on the table and stood.

“I might have another reason to come more often, this one seems to like New York.” Chase nodded in my direction. “Ash, this is my girlfriend, Lili Porter. Lili, this is Asher Craig.”

Girlfriend. Holy shit, he said girlfriend. We hadn’t talked about our relationship. My breath caught instantly.

“It’s a true pleasure.” Asher gracefully kissed my cheek, and we sat. Chase scooted his chair next to mine so he could relax his arm around me, a total possessive-man gesture. And I loved it.

“So bro, looks like I don’t have to ask. Philly seems to be treating you very well.” Asher smiled and nodded in my direction. “Guess I should stop trying to get you to reconsider Beantown, ha?”

A server appeared to fill a flute for Asher.

“Boston?” I questioned.

“Technically, but work has me split, and I spend a good amount of time here. Now thanks to this clown, I have to add Philly to the mix.” Asher smiled.

“Oh, what do you do?”

Chase cut in and answered for him, “Ash is a finance lawyer, he also looks after some of my interests.”

“Ha. I guess you could say that. More like, I make it possible for pretty boy here to spend his day playing doctor.” That was a strange thing to say. “Lili, you should have bossman bring you up, give you a tour of the facility. It’s pretty impressive. Ever been to Boston?” Now I was confused.

Chase noticed, because he jokingly dismissed Asher. “Why? So we can sound as ridiculous as you? Doct-AH. BAW-ston.” His imitation was cute.

“You’re an ass,” Asher said and we all chuckled.

“Nice.” Asher recognized the champagne label. “You shouldn’t have on my account,” he said, teasing Chase.

Chase reached down and squeezed my thigh. “Lili’s about to reach a benchmark. A little anticipatory celebration never hurt.” Oh no he didn’t.

“Oh. Good stuff. Congrats. In that case, let’s get another bottle.” Asher turned to signal the sommelier for a second bottle of the champagne he seemed impressed by. I got the pause I needed to change the subject. Fast. My face was on fire.

“Um, I’ve been to Boston, a few times. It’s great. My best friend’s family has a house in Cape Cod, and I spent many summers with them when I was younger. I actually almost moved there to finish my master’s.”

“You did? I didn’t know that. Why didn’t you go?” Chase asked, looking sincerely interested and disappointed at the same time.

“Oh, a funding issue. My grant fell through.” Sort of. It wasn’t really a lie. I fought the bile rising in my throat from the memories flooding my brain. Hell, I wasn’t going to let the past ruin this night, or any other night for that matter. “Wound up in Philly instead, but I do love Boston. How could ya not? After all, it’s home to the Baw-ston Bruins.” I smiled and Asher laughed.

“Gorgeous and a hockey fan. How did this loser get so lucky?”

“Jealous much? I’ve got to tell you, man, it’s not your best look.” It was great to see Chase in this atmosphere, relaxed and joking with his good friend.

“Speaking of jealous—fuck, man. I can’t believe I got roped into going to this fucking birthday party tomorrow. My parents pulled the damn guilt card. We know how busy you are, son, but since you’re in town and if it’s not too much, cause you know our health hasn’t been what it was … how the hell do you say no to that? It’s gonna be fucking torture,” Asher said, rolling his eyes in disgust. Then he chuckled and smacked Chase in the chest. “Sure you don’t want to make an appearance and save my ass?”

“No chance,” Chase deadpanned. Whoever’s party they were referring to sounded less than charming with no takers.

Asher shot back the last of his flute. “No offense, C, but I have no clue how my parents are even friends with those people.”

“None taken.” Chase followed suit and drained his glass.

I missed something. “Whose birthday party is it?” I asked.

Asher pointed his finger at Chase and raised his brow. “His mother’s.”

“Your mother?” No time to filter, I blurted out.

Chase went cold and expressionless. His eyes lost their beautiful playful shine, glazed over with intensity. “Drop it,” he hissed at Asher.

“Wait, your mother’s birthday party is tomorrow and you’re not going?” And you just let your best friend berate her at the table. Luckily, my filter kicked back on and I let that last part bounce around my head instead of off my tongue. Chase hadn’t mentioned his family at all.

“Lili, I don’t know what your relationship with your mother’s like, but guessing not as dysfunctional as the Colton clan. Be glad you’re not going tomorrow.” He shifted focus back to Chase. “I’m just fucking around, man. I wouldn’t show up either if I were you.”

I didn’t know why, but Asher’s words struck a tender chord. Chase never mentioned his family. I knew absolutely nothing about their dynamic, but I didn’t love how nonchalant Asher sounded when he referred to Chase’s obviously strained relationship. The man I’d just spent the past twenty-four hours with was not cold or callous, so far from it. He must have had his reasons, and I could only imagined how heavily they weighed on him.

“Um, you’re right. I’m really not the best person to ask. My mother died when I was two. Ten minutes with her sounds heavenly, but every family is different. I’m sure Chase has his reasons.”

I squeezed Chase’s thigh just like he had done to me, hoping he felt my support, letting him know the tablecloth wasn’t the only thing that had his back. I did. Even if I didn’t agree and couldn’t imagine not wanting to be around your mother.

Asher’s face fell. “Ah Lil, I’m so sorry to hear that. I didn’t mean to sound like an insensitive ass.”

“You never mentioned it, baby.” Chase pulled me closer and kissed my temple, proving me right. So far from cold and callous.

I didn’t want this to be about me. “I was little when she died, I really don’t remember her at all. But my dad has been amazing. He remarried just a couple of years back. I don’t know anything different.” I smiled thinking about how I really needed to check in on my dad. “He constantly reminds me how much I look just like her,” I paused. “It’s good and bad.” I swallowed hard, three glasses of champagne caught up to me. Damn. I busied myself with cutting a small piece of cheese.

“What time’s the party tomorrow, Ash?”

“Brunch, at eleven.”

“We’ll make an appearance,” Chase said. Asher looked puzzled, as was I. I hoped he wasn’t doing this on my account.

“Ha, who knew, hell froze over?”

Chase grinned. “You’re such a dick.” And then changed the subject. “Are we really stuck sharing another bottle of champagne with you? You’re picking up the tab.”

“Whatever, C, can’t help bustin’ your balls. Hey, speaking of balls, when do I get to crush yours in the ring?” My head snapped up, eying both of them with eyebrows raised. “Oh, what, hobbies haven’t come up yet either, C?”

“What hobby?” I asked, rubbing my hand across his back.

“It’s nothing, Blue, this asshole likes to talk a good game.”

“Bullshit, C. You’re awesome, fucking stupid, but awesome. Lil, you should come watch us sometime.” My curiosity piqued, I shifted my body toward Chase with wide eyes.

“I’m waiting.” I squeezed his hand. “Asher, you tell me, Chase obviously isn’t interested.”

“We box.” Dr. Jealous caved. “It started when we were kids. We used to fight a lot, good-natured fun. We got older and now it’s just a sport and a good workout. If we’re not fighting each other, we usually just hit the