All That She Needs

Part 4 : Asha

Liam watched me as I devoured the burger with enthusiasm, holding the extra-large buns with both hands and opening my mouth wide. It had been so long since I'd been here, and I'd forgotten just how incredible it tasted. He chuckled softly. I glanced up at him, narrowing my eyes. Swallowing, I asked, "What?"

"First, that burger is half the size of your head. At first, I didn't think you'd finish it, but now I'm convinced you will. Second, you look so out of place in a place like this, Asha."

I took another bite and spoke with my mouth full. "Why?"

"You look so... polished. You're too refined in a joint like this."

I flushed, and I couldn't understand why he made me flush all the time. "I'm not as refined as you think," I said after swallowing, eyeing the burger and considering which juicy part to bite into next. "I'm in the steel business, after all."

"Yeah," he nodded, "I just found out you're the CEO. How did you end up in a field like that?"

I took another bite and savored the flavor before responding. "It wasn't exactly a planned path. I started out in a bottom role and just gradually moved up through the ranks."

"It's a male-dominated field, I presume. So, how does a woman like you become the leader of them all?"

"Determination," I said, not caring that bits of my burger sprayed from my mouth as I spoke and chewed. Somehow, I was certain Liam wasn't the type to care about pretentious manners, and I had to admit, it was refreshing. "Resilience. Stubbornness," I added with a grin. "And pride."

"Brain," he added with a smirk. "And beauty."

I shook my head, chuckling. "I'm not so sure about the latter part," I said. "But I do know I'm smarter than all of them."

"Arrogant," he teased, flashing a boyish grin that deepened the dimples in his cheeks.

I glared up at him, which only made his grin stretch wider. "Not if it's a fact."

"Tell me about yourself." He demanded.

"Tell me about yours first." I countered

"Okay. First name: Liam. Middle name Christopher. Last name: Banks. Thirty-two years old. Six foot four, two hundred and thirty pounds. Never married. Youngest of four siblings, all boys. Self-proclaimed book nerd. Fortnite World Cup Solo Champion, and this is by far my proudest achievement in my life. Firm believer that Chicken Kung Pao is the best food in the world, second only to this burger. Secretly watches Downton Abbey  when I'm alone, and if you ever mention that to anyone, I'll deny it until the day I die."

I laughed at that, and he shrugged. "They're fucking hilarious. Your turn."

"That's not enough information." I shook my head, giving him a serious face. "Give me more."

"What else do you want to know?" He asked.

"Where are you from?" I asked.

"A little town about two hours from here called Dawson Hill. My parents still live there, in my childhood home. They refuse to leave, no matter how much I try to persuade them."

"I thought you were younger, though," I admitted. "Like somewhere in your twenties."

"I don't know if I should take that as a compliment or an offense. I'd like to think of myself as a mature man." He flashed me another blinding smile. "How old are you?"

I balked, caught off guard. "That's kind of rude, asking that."

"It's only rude if you're not confident with your age."