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Narrowing his eyes, he tipped his head. “Do what?”
“Fall back onto the couch like that.”
His lips bunched as he gazed at her, trying to work out what she was laughing at. “Why?”
She shook her head. “If I explain it, it won’t be funny.” Folding her arms across her chest, she winked at him. “Go on, for me. Please.”
I can’t refuse you anything.Sighing loudly, Asher got up from the couch, spread his hands, and shot her a pointed look. “Ready?”
She nodded, her eyes sparkling with unspoken laughter.
“Here it goes.” He fell back onto the couch just like he done before, and Willow burst into gales of laughter. Asher’s cheeks reddened as he realized a cloud of cornstarch had begun to billow up from his pants. “Oh. I totally forgot about that.”
Willow was bent forward, her hands resting on her knees as she laughed, her eyes squeezing closed. Asher couldn’t help but grin despite his own embarrassment.Okay, so I guess that was pretty funny.
“Enough already!” Protesting, he reached out and grabbed Willow’s arm, pulling her playfully toward him. “That’s not a tip I’m going to be trying out again.”
Still laughing, Willow fell onto the couch beside him, and another cloud of cornstarch wafted out of his pants, rendering her practically helpless. Taking a heaving breath, she rested her head against his shoulder, trying to get a hold of herself.
A sense of satisfaction curled itself in his chest. At least he could make her laugh.
“I am so sorry.” Hiccupping with laughter, Willow put one hand on his chest, shaking her head with her forehead still resting gently against his shoulder. “It was funny, but probably notthatfunny.” Lifting her head, she wiped her blue eyes with the back of her sleeve. “Are you okay?”
“If you’re asking me whether I mind my best friend laughing at the cornstarch pouring out of my pants, then no, I don’t mind.” Grinning, he reached out and brushed away another tear of laughter from her cheek. “I guess I must look ridiculous.”
For whatever reason, the smile immediately dropped from Willow’s expression. Her eyes went wide and fixed themselves to his, her fingers tightening suddenly in his t-shirt. A little confused, Asher opened his mouth to say something but then snapped it closed as a swirl of tension ran through him. Tension that sent a delicious warmth running through his veins.
Is there something going on here?
That hope billowed back into his heart like a sail filled with wind, and Asher fought hard to push it away. His head felt fuzzy, wondering why she was staring at him, and at the same time, struggling to know what to say. It felt like minutes passed rather than seconds, and his fingers burned from where he had brushed them across her skin.
I could lean in to kiss her. I could kiss her right here, right now…and worry about the consequences later.
“Asher.” Willow’s lips were gently parted, her eyes searching his, darting back and forth as though she’d never seen him before. “I—”
The buzz of a cellphone interrupted their conversation, shattering the moment completely, and Asher threw his head back, groaning.
“Work calls!” Clambering off the couch, Willow hurried into the kitchen. “I need to get a glass of water.”
Frustration sent burning coals into the deep pit of his stomach as Asher got off the couch, yanking his cellphone out of his pocket. “Hello?”
“Asher? Is everything okay?”
“Yes, Mom, sorry. I just got in.”
“Ah, okay. I’m sorry to bother you. I need you sign some papers, and I completely forgot about it until now. But, I need to get these over to the bank today. Can you swing by my office?”
Asher’s eyebrows rose toward his hairline. “Some papers?”
“Now that you’re officially a part-owner of Camp Windy Lake, I’m giving you access to the business accounts. You will need that access as you take on more responsibilities for the camp.”
“Yeah, sure. I’ll swing by in about twenty minutes.”
“Thanks, I appreciate it. I’ve just been so busy that I completely forgot,” his mom explained.
“It’s no problem, Mom, really.” This is what it was like every summer season. Crazy busy with barely an hour or two for himself—and even that got interrupted. “Do you know if the dining hall’s still open?”
“Yes, it is. Some of the guests are still eating there. I can find Patty and have her hold some food back for you?”
