~ Asher's POV ~
Asher rolled up quietly in his black BMW. From a distance, he saw Miles's grey Range Rover pulling up in front of Cantor Arts Center. It was this large art museum located about half a mile away from the main campus. After parking the car, Miles got out and opened the side door. Zoie emerged soon after and she smiled at him for opening her car door.
Ugh. What a cliché.
Walking hand in hand, Zoie and Miles entered the museum. Asher killed the engine of his car and grabbed a baseball cap from the glove compartment. He put the cap over his head and checked his reflection in the rearview mirror. Feeling unsatisfied, he took out his sunglasses and put them on.
Hm. Better.
Asher got off the car and made his way into the museum. He was fast, but stealthy. Slipping past the row of people in the lobby, he spotted Zoie walking deeper into the museum with Miles. Asher kept his distance, making sure that she couldn't see him, but he always got a good look at her. He could even hear their conversation.
"What do you think of this one?" Zoie asked, pointing to one of the paintings.
"Hmm... I think the painter's trying to express some kind of desire to break free. A longing for freedom," Miles replied.
"Hmm, I see that," she agreed.
"Or a desire he suppresses..."
"Interesting,"
"I have a desire I suppress too," he said suddenly, turning his face to her.
"Oh, really?"
"Yeah. There's this girl I really wanna kiss, but I'm holding back because I don't know how she'll react,"
Zoie's lips curved into a smile.
"Well, you never know. Maybe she wants the same thing too?" she said.
"What? You wanna kiss a girl too?!" he joked.
Zoie laughed and slapped his arm playfully. Asher could only roll his eyes.
Fúcking hell.
If only he didn't have to be stealthy right now, Asher would've made a scene. Make barfing noises or something. But alas, he had to hold back.
At this time, Zoie and Miles moved on to another room in the museum. Asher followed them, but this time, he stayed further away. He didn't feel like hearing their conversation. But still, he saw how they kept laughing as they talked, smiling big smiles, and still holding each other's hands. For some reason, it really bothered Asher.
Shit. I never even got to hold her hand...
Zoie and Miles spent some more time inside the museum before walking out to the garden. It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining and the air was cool. Zoie and Miles weren't just holding hands anymore. They were now taking photos by the statues, making flirty comments at each other, and at some point, he even hugged her from the back.
Asher stood behind one of the trees and watched it all unfold. His hands curled into fists. He didn't like this at all. He didn't want to continue watching, but he felt like he had to. This was his job, after all.
I guess this is what it's gotta be like from now on...
Asher's heart was twisting in his chest. He could only wonder if it'll hurt less as time goes by. Maybe someday he'd get used to it, watching Zoie go on dates and hold hands with other guys. Watching her smile, laugh, and be happy with someone else.
Maybe someday that day will come. Just not today.
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~ Zoie's POV ~
"Hey, I thought we were going to watch a movie?"
Zoie was confused. After walking around the museum and having lunch at a local seafood restaurant, Miles suggested watching a movie. Zoie agreed to it, but instead of going to the movie theater, Miles parked the car in front of the baseball stadium on campus.
"We are," he beamed. "Right here!"
"Huh?"
"Come on!"
Miles opened her car door and gave his hand out. Zoie took it and he led her inside the stadium. There was no game or practice going on today. The big stadium was empty. Except for a picnic blanket laid out in the middle of the field and the big screen above them was playing one of Zoie's favorite movies, The Godfather.
"Oh my God!" she squeaked.
"We can go to a movie theater, but I think this is better," Miles said with a chuckle.
He continued guiding her in until they arrived on the fields. As they approached the picnic blanket, Zoie noticed there were throw pillows and a basket of fruits and drinks already prepared.
"Miles, you did all this?" she gaped.
My favorite movie... my favorite soda... in a baseball stadium...
"Special night for a special girl," he beamed.
"Aw, Miles!" Zoie couldn't contain herself and leaped at Miles, pulling him into a hug.
This was perhaps the sweetest, most romantic thing anyone has ever done for Zoie. Her heart was swelling in size. She was overcome with so much joy, that all she could think of was to hug him harder.
If this is what dating is like, I should've done this a lot sooner!
Miles responded by hugging her back, putting his chin on top of her head. Then after some time, he pulled away slightly and tilted her chin up with his hand.
"I think you're a very special girl, Zoie. I knew it the moment we met..."
Zoie's heart was beating like a drum. She looked up into his gorgeous green eyes and she was lost. He was smiling that mega-watt smile and her knees went weak. She could only look at his lips and wondered... is it finally gonna happen?
"I hope you feel the same way about me," he said again, leaning his head forward until his forehead rested on hers.
"I... I'm having a really good time with you, Miles. Thank you for all this..."
"Of course,"
Miles's eyes turned dark. He zeroed in on her lips and Zoie swallowed hard. Miles continued leaning closer and Zoie closed her eyes. The next thing she knew, his lips landed on hers. They were soft. He kissed her softly at first, and then he kissed her harder and deeper. Zoie let out a sigh and kissed him back. His hands went to her hips and her hands went to his hair. She ran her fingers through his hair and Miles let out an appreciative groan. Slowly, Miles's hand began to move from her waist upward. Zoie's chest was beating harder, anticipating where his hand was going. His hand reached up her stomach and just before it touched her breast---
* CREAK! *
A creaking sound was heard and Zoie pulled away. She looked in the direction and saw a small metal gate swinging at the dugout.
"What was that?" she asked.
"I don't know," Miles shook his head. "I've booked the whole stadium today. There shouldn't be anyone here but us,"
Zoie turned her gaze back to him.
"You've booked the whole place?" she gaped.
Miles just shrugged and smiled sheepishly.
"This is my favorite place in all of Stanford," he said, pausing for a beat before adding, "Maybe this can be your favorite too?"
Zoie couldn't stop the smile forming on her face. She had to bite her lip to stop herself from smiling too much.
"After tonight, maybe it will..." she muttered.
"Okay, I'll take it," he beamed. Then he gave out his hand again and said, "Come on, let's watch our movie,"
Zoie took his hand and he led her to the picnic blanket in the middle of the infield. They sat down next to each other and Zoie leaned her head on Miles's shoulder. It was a nice moment, but unfortunately, the moment didn't last. Zoie's eyes were staring at the big TV, watching Al Pacino carry out his murder plan, but her brain was somewhere else. She kept thinking back to that moment when they kissed and she heard a noise. She could've sworn she saw someone in a black cap and sunglasses just then.
Was that... Asher?
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~ Asher's POV ~
Asher closed the door shut and threw the car key on the kitchen table. He rushed into his room and quickly changed his clothes. He only wore a pair of grey sweatpants and he went out again. Thinking fast, he grabbed the TV remote and turned it on. Funnily enough, The Godfather was playing on HBO.
Suddenly, Asher heard the sound of footsteps coming from the apartment door and the sound of keys jiggling. Asher threw himself on the couch and acted like he had been lounging there for a while. Seconds later, the door flung open and Zoie appeared.
"Hey, you're back?" he said nonchalantly, not taking his eyes off the TV.
"Oh, you're here?" Zoie looked confused.
"Where else would I be?" he replied.
Zoie stepped closer and looked around the room. She looked suspicious. Like a detective trying to solve a murder mystery.
"It's Saturday night. You didn't go out at all?" she asked.
"Didn't feel like it," he shrugged.
Zoie narrowed her eyes at him. It was like she didn't believe him, but she didn't have a counter argument. Letting out a sigh, she turned around like she was about to leave, but Asher stopped her.
"How was your date?"
Zoie looked back. She thought for a moment and decided to sit down on the couch.
"It was good," she said. "We went to eat seafood and watched a movie,"
"So you're gonna see him again?"
"Maybe. Why do you wanna know?"
"I'm just doing my job, Zoie," he said with his hands raised up. "I'm not trynna bust your balls, I promise,"
Zoie looked at him for a moment, studying his expression. Deciding whether or not she could trust him.
"I'm seeing him tomorrow night," she said finally. "There's a bonfire party at the beach. It's a group thing, so a lot of other people will be there,"
Asher kept his eyes on the TV and nodded his head coolly. Keeping his emotions to himself.
"You can come too if you want," she said again.
Asher turned to face her now.
"Do you want me to come?"
"Karlie would probably want you to come,"
"I'll go if you want me to go,"
Zoie didn't answer right away. She thought hard and said, "I don't know. Do whatever you want, Ash. You always do anyway,"
She almost whispered that last part, but Asher heard her.
"What's that supposed to mean?" he asked.
"Weren't you following us earlier?" she shot point-blankly.
"What?" he gaped.
"I saw you,"
"The hell I was!"
"So you weren't there at the baseball field?"
"I was home all day!"
Asher did all he could to keep his cool, but he was nervous. Did she really see him? Can she tell that he was lying?
Zoie narrowed her eyes again, studying his face. When she couldn't get the answer she was looking for, she just sighed and rolled her eyes.
"Okay, whatever," she said, crossing her arms on her chest.
"Why? Did something happen at the baseball field? Should I have been following you?" Asher continued the charade.
"Oh, hell no!" Zoie groaned in frustration. "Look, you don't have to worry about me, alright? I've learned my lesson. I'm gonna take things slow from now on,"
"Slow?"
"Yeah..." she paused and turned her eyes to the TV like it was hard to look at him. "Like, after we, um, did it, I realized that I'm not into one night stands. I want an actual relationship. I want something that lasts, so I'm not gonna rush into anything with Miles,"
Asher fell silent. He could only stare at her as she stared at the TV. It took him a minute to process everything that he just heard.
"So... you're not gonna sleep with him?" he concluded.
"Well, I will, someday," she laughed. "Just not... right now,"
Asher felt a wave of relief. Even though that wasn't what he wanted to hear, at least she wasn't thinking about sleeping with Miles anytime soon.
"Okay, yeah, do that!" he agreed eagerly. Too eagerly. "That kinda thing will drive guys nuts. Don't give him what he wants and he's gonna want you more and more!"
"Really?"
"Oh, yeah," Asher nodded reassuringly. "Take it from a guy. I always want what I can't have and it'll feel extra special when I finally get it,"
Zoie thought hard about it. Meanwhile, Asher kept an innocent smile on his face. Hopefully, she didn't realize what he was trying to do.
"Okay, I think I get it..." she muttered.
"Yeah, the longer you make him wait, the more he'll want you and the better it gets! So just make him wait! Make him wait weeks or months even! If he really likes you, he'll do it because it'll be damn worth it!"
Asher was selling this idea hard. Meanwhile, Zoie nodded her head like she was learning something new. It seemed like his plan was working.
"Yeah... Thanks for the advice, Ash!" she smiled at him, then she nudged his elbow playfully. "I guess you're not that bad after all,"
"Yeah... Ha-ha," Asher let out a nervous laugh and smiled back.
Zoie then turned her head back to the TV and grabbed the remote. She started switching the channels. Asher let out a relieved sigh and turned his eyes to the TV too, pretending like he was engrossed by whatever show that was on. His body was still tense, but at least he could breathe easy for a little while longer.
Phew. Safe. At least for another day.
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- - - - - - To Be Continued - - - - - -