A Beautiful Dark

couldn’t blame him.
    “She didn’t even order,” Asher pointed out. “She could have wanted an iced tea.”
    “I’ve known her for years. I know what she likes.” I could almost hear Ian adding, “And it’s not you.”
    “Thanks, Ian.” I started digging around in my bag for my money.
    “On the house,” Ian said at the same time that Asher said, “I’ve got it,” and tossed a ten dollar bill onto the counter.
    Ian didn’t move. He just stared at Asher, who held his gaze. Confrontation made me uneasy. This was like something from the nature channel: wolves trying to mark their territory. Finally Ian picked up the crumpled bill and begrudgingly made change.
    Well, I’d never asked to be marked.
    I picked up my latte. “Thanks. I’ll see you both around.” I glanced at Asher. “Sorry about the movie.”
    That broke the spell. Asher opened his mouth as if he was going to say more, but then he closed it again. A look passed across his face. Disappointment? Indifference? I couldn’t tell. “No worries,” he said. “Sure. Another time.”
    And then before I could say anything else, he turned quickly and wove his way through the crowd, without so much as a backward glance at me.
    “I don’t trust that guy,” Ian said. “You don’t seriously like him, do you?”
    I have no idea , I thought. I wasn’t sure what I felt toward Asher. Confusion mostly.
    “No,” I said firmly, turning around to face Ian. “He’s new. I was the first person he met at school so he sort of imprinted on me. Like a baby duck.”
    I was trying to get him to smile. It didn’t work.
    “Look,” I continued, “he doesn’t really know anyone—”
    He shot me a pointed look, and I sighed a little. He was right. There were all those sophomore girls at lunch. “I was being friendly. That’s all.”
    Why did I feel the need to justify myself?
    “Just watch out,” he warned before heading off to see to a customer.
    I turned and came up short. Cassie was watching me from her spot on the couch next to Dan.
    As I walked over, she dragged her jacket and bag off the chair next to them and onto the floor.
    “Is it hot in here?” she asked, fanning herself.
    “Kindly shut up,” I replied.
    “So is Asher The One ? Does that mean I get Devin? You know I like them emotionally unavailable.” She rubbed her hands together like an evil villain. “It’s more of a challenge.”
    “There’s nothing to choose, Cass. You can have them both. Seriously. I’m not interested. Plus, he’s weirdly mysterious.”
    “So he’s hot and enigmatic,” Cassie purred. “So far I’m not seeing the bad in this. I wonder what dark secrets he’s hiding behind those gorgeous eyes.”
    “That he’s a serial dater,” Dan offered.
    Cassie looked at him. “Seriously, Dan? That’s the best you can come up with?”
    “I just don’t understand all the interest in the guy. Girls latch on to him like he’s Velcro.”
    “Jealous?” she prodded.
    Dan scowled. “No.”
    “I like the music tonight,” I said, trying to steer us back to less volatile ground.
    “Oh, yeah,” Cassie said. “Stella is awesome. She writes all her own songs.”
    The music stopped, and everyone clapped.
    “Thanks,” Stella said into the microphone. “I’m going to take fifteen.”
    “Oh, good,” Cassie said, hopping to her feet. “I want to talk with her about her music. Get some tips. Come on, Dan. Pretend I’m Velcro.”
    Laughing, he got up and took her hand as they weaved through the crowd.
    “Watch our stuff, will you?” Cassie asked. “And save our seats. We won’t be long.”
    “Sure,” I said, knowing she’d be gone the full fifteen. Once she started talking music with another musician, she lost all track of time.
    I leaned my head back, closed my eyes, and sipped my latte, trying to expel the stress of the week with each quiet breath. Devin had looked so calm in class the other day, his posture straight, his face so tranquil. I shifted now to reach the same pose, straightening my back and relaxing the muscles in my face. For a minute or two, it seemed to be working. I let my shoulders drop. Maybe I needed to look into yoga. Then the old leather of the couch creaked, and I felt a knee brush against mine as someone sat down next to me. “Sorry,” I said, opening my eyes. “That seat’s—”
    I froze at the sight of Devin sitting there. What was I all of a sudden, the Welcome Wagon?
    “How’s your couples counseling going?” I