13. PROMISES

~ Asher’s POV ~ “What are you doing here?” Zoie shot point-blankly. Asher was caught in the moment, unsure if this was a dream. She was wearing what looked like a white nightgown underneath a beige cardigan. If Asher didn’t know any better, he’d say she was some kind of angel fallen from the night moon. “I can’t sleep,” he said finally. “You?” Zoie stared at him for a second longer before responding. “Same,” she said. “I didn’t know you smoke,” Zoie eyed the cigarette in his hand. Asher took one last drag before throwing the butt away. “Only to help me sleep sometimes,” he said. Clouds of white smoke escaped his lips. “Does it work?” she asked. “I’m still here, aren’t I?” Asher let out a smirk. Zoie didn’t say anything else in response. Was I being too sarcastic? “So, where’s your lapdog?” Asher spoke again. Believe it or not, this was him trying to be friendly. Making small talks. “My lapdog?” she frowned her eyebrows. “My brother,” he chuckled. “You’re calling your brother a lapdog?”