We get a table at a cafe in the piazza, overlooking the square. Asher takes the liberty of ordering. Normally, I would be annoyed by this, but I’m still focused on that kiss. I can’t even be bothered with ordering something as trivial as food.
Asher keeps the conversation light. We talk about things like our interests in music and our favorite television shows. He tells me a story about this barber he goes to who has a great Italian accent. He tries to do an impression I think he’s botching on purpose for sake of making the story funny. I also learn that he and Devon met in Pittsburgh. They grew up in the same neighborhood and reconnected five years ago. Apparently, he and Devon were thick as thieves as kids. Once, they were caught stealing candy—York Peppermint Patties, which turns out to be both of our favorite candy—and had to work at the shop for a month to make up for being caught. He smiles broadly when he recalls all the candy they snuck when they were working off their debt for stealing the first piece. He said it was the best punishment in the world. He doesn’t mention how Devon made his money and I don’t ask. I’m not interested in Devon. I am so into Asher.
He asks me about my childhood in Ohio. I tell him stories of Leah and I, mostly. Since we are only a year apart, we were always together, putting on plays for our family and singing into hairbrushes while watching MTV. I don’t leave out Luke completely. I just can’t talk about him. So I don’t.
Taking a bite of calamari, Asher asks me more about my parents and I explain that, yes, my mom is really into cats.
“We’ve had no fewer than three cats at a time my entire life.” I answer. The Campari drinks he selected are awesome. I try to keep to sips; I don’t want to be the drunken girl tonight.
Asher puts down his fork. “How many does she have now?”
I swallow my Compari and think for a second. “Ben, Eddie, Woodie, and Dallas. Four. She currently has four.”
“Those are interesting names for cats.”
“They’re named after Matthew McConaughey characters.” I answer like it’s a normal response. Asher cocks an eyebrow so I explain. “Ben Barry from How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Steve Edison from The Wedding Planner, David Wooderson from Dazed and Confused, and Dallas, she’s a girl, from Magic Mike. Even the girl cats get named after him.”
Asher lets out a deep, boisterous laugh. It’s the first time I’ve heard him laugh like this and I’m mesmerized by it. For someone who looked so intense two days ago, this look is magnetic and personable. I wish I’d met this version of him first.
“Your mom has a thing for Matthew McConaughey?” He leans forward, completely into our conversation.
“No. That’s Leah. She names all the cats. She’s kind of obsessed. She owns a bar back home named after him.”
“You’re kidding.”
“Nope. Although, most of the locals don’t know she’s the actual owner. She is really young to have such a successful bar and says it’s better for business if they think she’s just the bartender. This way she can know what is really going down inside the bar.”
“She’s a very smart businesswoman.”
I like that he appreciates Leah’s entrepreneurial expertise.
“What about you?” he asks. “Ever think of starting your own business? Maybe open up your own music school?”
I shake my head and look down. “No. I’ll teach for a while. That’s all. Besides, I don’t love teaching as much as someone should if they were to open up a business like that.”
“What do you love then? If you can’t play, there has to be something about music you love enough to pursue?”
“I love creating music. I was working on this new sound. I can hear it in my head and I know what it’s supposed to sound like. But, without being able to play, I can’t get the notes out.”
“Of course you can. There are computers and even keyboards with—”
“Not the same.” I stare him down to let him know the conversation is off-limits. I know there are other ways to create music. I just need to play in order to feel it. I can’t create it if I can’t feel it. He’ll never understand.
“Did you have any pets?” I ask.