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“How old he is?”
The pink slowly left Willow’s cheeks. “He said mid-thirties but didn’t specify.”
“Okay. Then maybe he’ll be a good match for you. Where are you going to go for your date?”
“Dinner. We’re going to a restaurant near his cabin, so it’s not too far from here.”
“What’s the name of the restaurant?”
“I don’t remember exactly. Intermetto?”
“Intermezzo?”
Her eyes lit up, and she snapped her fingers. “That’s it! Do you know it?”
“Yup. It’s really nice.”
Willow blinked, her eyes rounding. “Oh.” Her smile was fading fast. “I guess I’ll have to dress up.”
“You always look great in everything you wear. Don’t stress about it.”
Willow didn’t reply. She was too busy chewing her lip.
Asher folded his arms across his chest, his eyebrows low as he fixed his eyes on her. “Youaregoing to make sure that someone knows when you’re going and when you’re planning on getting back, right?” A little surprised at how anxious he felt now, knowing that she was going to meet a stranger, he held her gaze steadily. “I get that we share a house, and you don’t have to always tell me where you’re going and what’s happening, but you shoulddefinitelytell someone.”
Her eyes softened as she looked back at him. “I will. You don’t need to worry about me.”
“Sure I do. You know how much I care about you.”
Their gazes held for a long moment, only to be broken abruptly as Willow got up from the chair. “I’m just going to get a glass of water. Do you want anything?”
“No, I’m good, thanks.” Wandering back to his desk, Asher sat down heavily. He had a few moments to allow his emotions free reign. Shoving his head into his hands, his fingers brushed through his hair as he dropped his elbows to rest on his knees.
I hate this.
Everything about Willow’s date sounded fantastic. The guy was a surgeon. He had a second home—or at least a cabin. And he was taking Willow to one of the nicest restaurants in the area.
“You okay?”
His head lifted quickly. “Yeah, I’m okay. Just a little tired.”
“That’s what weekends are for, though, right?” Draping one hand around his shoulders, she leaned against him. “Want to order some pizza? Maybe watch a movie?”
He looked at her. “You okay?” Willow didn’t eat a lot of junk food.
“I’m fine. I just thought you might like something easy for dinner. I know I would!”
He nodded. “Yeah, that sounds good. Order my usual, will you? Bacon, sausage, jalapeno, and sriracha sauce? I’m just going to clean up a few things, and we can pick up the pizza on the way home.”
Willow groaned, making Asher grin despite his own inner frustration.
“You’re doing that on purpose.”
“Hey, you were the one who wanted to order pizza!” Putting his arm around her waist, he pulled her closer, hearing her giggle. “Everyone else thinks it’s weird, but it tastes great. You don’t know what you’re missing.”
Willow stuck out her tongue at him. “I tried it before, remember? Almost burned off the roof of my mouth! Can’t you just eat cheese pizza like a normal person?”
“Maybe you should give my pizza another try.” They were back to their usual familiarity, and Asher let out a long, slow breath. “How about this? You grab the pizza, and I will pick up some wine on the way home.”
