My One and Only: Book 1 in the Love and Weddings Trilogy (12 page)

              Faster than he could imagine, Asher was right there blocking her way. Pule glanced back at Becket, but he was cleaning up the mess from the sink, clearly unworried.

              “Try again,” Asher said, putting his hands on his hips.

              Ivy played with her hair nervously and glanced at Pule who lifted his shoulders helplessly. This was not good but what could they do?

              Ivy sighed miserably. “Fine, here’s the deal. Pule’s really here to fix things between you and Meredith. She’s broken up over hurting you and wants Pule to make it right. She hates being at odds with you and just wants things to go back to normal. We’ve all been talking and we’re in agreement that it would actually be best if we work on Meredith instead and help her to see the fact that you two would be perfect together.”

              Asher’s head lowered as he stared at the floor. Pule watched him carefully and could see his chest was rising and falling quickly as if he was trying to control a powerful emotion.

              “And why would Pule want to bother himself?” he finally asked, lifting his head to stare at him with his piercing blue eyes.

              Pule cleared his throat but looked back. “I care about Meredith and she asked this favor of me. I couldn’t turn her down. She’s in pain, Ash. She hates that she hurt you. It’s eating her up,” he admitted, watching the pain wash through Asher’s eyes. Pule felt sick to his stomach. Here he was supposed to be working on making Meredith
his
girl and instead he was being forced to fix things between her and Asher.
Ridiculous.

              Asher shook his head and gnawed on his lip. “She made her feelings abundantly clear the other night. She chose our business over our relationship. She only wants to be friends. Period. Meredith is the most stubborn woman I’ve ever met. There’ll be no changing her mind,” he said dourly, turning and walking back to the table where he promptly collapsed on a chair and laid his head on his hands on the table.

              Ivy made a sound of distress and rushed to him, patting his back as Becket went to the fridge and got him a Coke. Pule rolled his eyes and walked over too, pulling a chair over and sitting next to Asher.

              “She doesn’t know what she wants. She doesn’t want to be out on the streets. She wants the respect of her peers and her community and she wants to make enough money to pay her bills and have a good life. All we have to do is show her that she can have what she wants and be with you too. She just needs her eyes opened,” Pule said as Asher lifted his face and stared at him with just a touch of hope in his eyes.

              “So how do we do this then?” Asher finally said, sitting up and looking at Ivy and Becket. “How do we convince her that she loves me and that she wants to be with me?”

              Ivy smiled nervously and looked at Becket. “Beck, you were so romantic with me, what do you suggest?”

              Becket raised his eyebrows in surprise. “I’m the most unromantic man I know. I’m the last man you should ask,” he said, backing away from the table.

              Ivy shook her head and frowned at him. “I disagree. Just last night you brought me home flowers and fixed me dinner and then we went out on the front porch and watched the sunset. Romance.
You’re an expert
.”

              Becket blushed bright red and turned and looked at Asher and Pule who were looking at him with stark interest. “That’s just me loving you. Big difference. When a man truly loves a woman, he goes out of his way to do things for her that he knows will make her happy or take a burden off of her shoulders. That’s not being romantic. Romance is stupid and shallow and dumb,” he scoffed.

              Pule shook his head as Asher laughed at him. “Every woman I know would disagree with you, Becket. Let’s face it. You’re romantic,” Pule said.

              Asher nodded his head in agreement. “You could do Youtube videos for men on how to be romantic with their partners. Think about it.”

              Becket growled low in his throat and looked like he wanted to wrap his hands around Asher’s throat. “
One more word….”

              Asher grinned and turned back to Pule and Ivy. “Well, the fact is, I love her. I think maybe this is the first time I’ve truly been in love. It feels like I’m sick with it. It’s taken over my body and mind and it’s all I can think about.
She’s
all I can think about. Just being with her, everything’s right with the world. We click so perfectly, we can look at each other and know exactly what the other one is thinking. It’s just right. And so when she told me no, it felt like I was dying. I don’t know how to handle a life where I can see and have a relationship with a woman I’m in love with, but at the same time know that I’ll never have the chance to truly love her or be loved by her. It’s torture.”

              Ivy groaned and reached over and hugged Asher. “I know exactly what you mean. When I broke up with Becket, it felt like part of my soul had died right along with the relationship. Not fun.”

              Becket let out a sigh. “Agreed. When Ivy dumped me I felt completely dead inside. There was no joy, no light, no happiness.”

              Pule sat up. “I swear you’re describing Meredith,” he said with a light laugh.

              Asher’s eyes went wide as he stared at Pule, then Ivy and then Becket. “
Do you think….?”

              Ivy clapped her hands and jumped up, pumping her fist. “She’s totally in love with you, Ash!” she yelled as she turned and grabbed Becket’s hands and began jumping with him in a circle.

              Becket laughed at his wife’s antics before grabbing her and hugging her tightly. “You’re the biggest romantic, Ivy. Now, let’s leave these two fine gentlemen alone so they can figure out how to win Meredith’s heart.”

              Pule laughed at Becket’s bluntness. That was their signal to take off.

              Ivy protested loudly, wanting to stay and brainstorm with Pule and Asher, insisting they needed a woman’s input. Pule couldn’t hear Becket’s response as they disappeared down the hallway so he turned and looked at Asher.

              “Let’s get out of here. You hungry? My brother makes the best gnocchi in Fircrest. Let’s go get some.”

              Asher smiled for the first time since he walked in as he stood up. “Best idea I’ve heard today. Let’s go.”

              They arrived at The Iron Skillet ten minutes later and were immediately seated since it was only four o’clock and the dinner crowd hadn’t shown up yet. Kam came out from the kitchen and took the menus out of their hands.

              “It’s so slow. Don’t worry about the menu. I’ll make you something delicious,” he said, crossing his massive arms over his chest and smiling at his younger brother.

              Pule held up his hands. “You had me at,
It’s slow
,” he said making Kam and Asher laugh.

              Kam grinned and then glanced at Asher. “You still treating Meredith good?” he asked, his eyes careful and watching.

              Asher’s smile faded and his shoulders slumped. Pule sighed. “We’re working on that, Kam. That’s actually why we’re here.”

              Kam frowned darkly at Asher and sat up, making Asher scoot back in his chair nervously. Pule grinned and put a hand on Kam’s shoulder.

              “Dude,
no
. It’s not like that. Meredith, Brogan and Asher started this online dating business together and now that she and Asher are business partners, she says she can’t have a romantic relationship with him. He’s miserable and now so is she. She made me promise to help her fix things between them but Ivy and Becket think we need to fix
her
. She’s choosing business over love. She needs help, Kam. That’s why we’re here; to strategize.”

              Kam’s shoulders relaxed and his eyes softened as he leaned over and clapped Asher on the shoulder. “Dude, you should have said so in the first place. You make Meredith unhappy, I have to make you unhappy. But if all you’re trying to do is love her, then I’m your best friend,” he said laughing as Asher grimaced.

              Pule rolled his eyes. His big brother Kam could be formidable to even the bravest of souls. Rob Downing was the only man cocky enough to have thought he could go up against Kam, but that was only because he’d been a professional baseball player. Needless to say the man now knew it was the dumbest of notions to get on Kam Matafeo’s bad side. Now they were probably the two closest brothers-in-law that he knew of.

              “We are open to suggestions, Kam. But you know Meredith. The woman is hard headed, stubborn and determined to do what she wants to do. How do we work with that?” he asked, realizing just how impossible their task really was.

              Kam rubbed his chin. “I will think about it. Maybe I’ll ask Bailey. But right now, I’ll go make you something delicious to give you the strength you need to win Meredith’s heart,” he said, hurrying away with a happy smile on his face.

              Asher looked after Kam and blew out a breath. “For a moment there I was wondering exactly what it would feel like to have a few broken ribs.”

              Pule laughed. “Just ask Rob. It’s not fun.”

              Asher shook his head. “Hey, I’ve seen all the pain Cleo’s been through because of her broken bones. Not something I want to experience. Have you seen the size of your brother’s fists?” he asked, sounding horrified.

              Pule shrugged and held up his own fist which was almost as big as his brothers. “You mean a fist like this?”

              Asher stared at Pule’s fist and frowned. “Dude, remind me to never tick you off.”

              Pule grinned and grabbed a roll out of the bread bowl. “We’re friends, Ash. You have no worries.”

              Asher smiled and nodded his head. “Thanks, Pule. Thanks for being my friend. I mean, I have my brother who loves me no matter what and I have my bandmates and even Becket, but right now, … you’re my best friend.”

              Pule blinked in surprise, not realizing just how close their relationship had become over the last few months.
But it had.
“You know, I think you’re right. All my boys from the clubs are just idiots. I’d never call them if I needed help. I’ve got my brothers and cousins of course, but if anything goes down they immediately tell my mom and dad. There are no secrets in my family. Yeah, I guess you’re my main man now.”

              Asher grinned and stood up, holding his arms out. “It’s time for a hug, bro.”

              Pule looked at him askance and then glanced around the restaurant. There were only a few people surrounding them and they were engrossed in their own conversations and their meals.
Fine
. He could hug Asher.
Jeez
.

              “Weird, man,” he said and then grabbed Asher in a big hug he’d give Kam or his dad, holding on for at least fifteen seconds. When he finally let go, he was horrified to see tears in Asher’s eyes.

              “Friends for life, Pule,” Asher said in a raspy voice.

              Pule cleared his suddenly tight throat and nodded. “
Friends for life,”
he said, realizing that there’s no way he could go against Asher now in his bid for Meredith.

              It was time to realize that he and Meredith just weren’t meant to be.
Dang
. He took a moment to process and then thumped Asher on the back as their waitress walked up with their appetizer, crab cakes with Kam’s own tartar sauce.

              “Wow, he must be in a good mood,” Pule said reverently as he took a large bite.

              Asher nodded and took just as large a bite. “Please tell you brother that I love him and that he’s the most amazing chef in the world.”

              Pule laughed and grabbed his napkin. “You’re just saying that to suck up. You don’t want your ribs cracked.”

              Asher grinned and took a sip of water. “Do I look stupid? The guy is looking out for Meredith. If I screw this up, I’m dead.”

              Pule considered that for a moment and then nodded. “True. So let’s make sure this works between you two. I don’t want to go to your funeral,” he said with a wink as Asher paled noticeably.

              “Pule Matafeo and Asher Murphy. What a pleasant surprise.”

              Pule turned around to see Taryn Moore standing beside them with a polite, shark-like smile.

              “Hey there, Gorgeous. Care to join us?” he asked, with an exaggerated leer.

              Taryn smacked him in the back of the head but sat down surprisingly. She grabbed one of his crab cakes and took a bite, smiling wickedly at him as he looked back at his one last remaining crab cake.

              “Relax. Kam’s making you amazing food. I’m just helping you save room for the good stuff,” she said, dipping the cake in the sauce and smiling joyfully.

              “Taryn, you have a cruel streak the size of the Puget Sound,” he said as he guarded his last remaining crab cake.

              Asher pushed his last cake towards Taryn. “Have my last crab cake. I’m not that hungry,” he said with a kind smile.

              Pule rolled his eyes. “What a suck up,” he said under his breath as he snagged Asher’s cake for himself and laughed at Taryn’s narrow-eyed glare.

              “Taryn, just order dinner and eat with us instead of snatching everything,” he said, as he raised his arm for their waitress. She immediately came over and blinked in surprise to see her boss sitting at the table with them.

              “Christy? Right? Will you grab another order of crab cakes for Taryn and tell Kam to send out an extra plate of whatever he’s making us. Tell him she’s eating with us and that he should join us too when he’s done,” Pule said.

              The waitress glanced at Taryn for confirmation and whatever she must have seen on Taryn’s face had her hurrying off towards the kitchen.

              “So what’s up? I was over there talking to a couple and I saw this amazingly tender man hug between you two. It usually takes something pretty important to get two guys to show their emotions. What’s going on?” she asked bluntly as she reached for the bread bowl.

              Pule pushed the bowl towards her and then grabbed the butter for her. “Has Brogan been starving you? Girl, you’re eating more than I’ve ever seen. It’s like you’re a ravenous bear let loose in a honey factory.”

              Taryn shrugged and took a bite of her roll. “I’m starving to death to be honest. I have no idea why. I think it must be stress. I keep telling Brogan I need a vacation. We’re hoping to take a few days and head down to San Diego in a few weeks for Valentine’s Day. Rayne offered us the use of her beach house and I can’t wait.”

              Asher took a sip of water and studied her for a moment. “Rayne is a sweetie. We scheduled some gigs down in California this summer and Rayne is insisting that we stay at her place. It’s right on the beach and she has a huge storage shed right there to the side of the house with all of the surf boards and paddle boards and equipment you could dream of. It’s going to be amazing.”

              Pule frowned. “Well, invite me with you. I want a week on the beach,” he said, knowing he was going to have words with Rayne.
Why hadn’t she offered him her beach house?

              Asher smiled. “Tai and Cleo are spending their honeymoon there since they both need to spend every penny on their new businesses. You should go with them. I bet they’d love that.”

              Taryn laughed at that as their waitress showed up with a large plate of crab cakes and two sides of sauce.

              “For you. And Kam says to tell you that if you need more, you just ask,” she said quizzically, looking at the large amount of crab cakes and the thin woman who was already inhaling them.

              “Thanks,” Taryn said, with her mouth stuffed. “I probably will. Grab me a strawberry lemonade, will you, Christy?”

              The girl hurried away again as Taryn closed her eyes in ecstasy as she took another bite. “That man is a genius. I love your brother, Pule,” she said reverently.

              Pule grinned. “Most women do. Just don’t let your little sister hear you say that.”

              Taryn laughed and took another bite. “Bailey knows my heart belongs to Brogan.”

              Asher nodded his head in agreement. “That’s true.”

              Pule gagged slightly. “Stop buttering up the woman or I take back my man-tastic bro bond with you.”

              Asher put his hands up in surrender. “Fine, but I can’t stop. It’s just a habit.”

              Taryn paused with a bite halfway to her mouth. “
Man-tastic bro bond
, huh? What exactly is that and how does one qualify for such an honor?” she asked, smiling back and forth between them.

              Pule held up his hands and looked at Asher. He’d let his new bestie answer this one.

              Asher laughed and shrugged as he wiped his mouth with his napkin. “Let’s see. A Man-tastic bro bond. How to explain it ….” He paused and then nodded his head. “It’s just where two guys who are good friends realize that they’re best friends and will be forever. I have Pule’s back no matter what and he has mine. If there’s anything I can do to help his happiness and well-being, I’ll do it. And he’d do the same for me.”

              Pule swallowed and nodded his head.
Just another nail in the coffin of his feelings for Meredith
. He glanced at Taryn to see her reaction and his mouth dropped open as he saw her wipe a tear from her cheek.

              Kam walked up with their waitress just then carrying platters of food. Kam took one look at Taryn and turned and glared at him. “What did you do, Pule?” he asked in a deadly voice.

              Taryn shook her head as she blotted her eyes. “Kam, it’s nothing. It’s just me. It was the sweetest thing,” she said and motioned for Christy to put the food down.

              Kam stared at the three of them quizzically as Christy served the food and then disappeared. Kam took a bite of scallops drenched in butter and lemon. “What is the sweetest thing?”

              Taryn let out a shaky breath. “Your brother and Asher. They have a man-tastic bro bond. They’re best friends, brothers in life kind of thing. I was just sitting here and I could actually feel how much they love each other. And you should have seen Pule’s face, Kam. It was the sweetest expression. I could see the determination on his face to be there for Asher.”

              Kam laughed lightly. “Pule and Asher Murphy? Yeah, right. Pule, what’s going on?” he asked turning to stare at him.

              Pule glanced at Asher and saw the faith shining in his eyes and sighed. “Asher and I are best friends. It’s not a big deal. I already told you I’m going to do everything I can to help him with Meredith.”