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Her lips twisted, pulling to one side.Mom always has plenty of food. She’s always said it’s just in case someone turns up with an empty stomach—and right now, I’m someone with an empty stomach!
Her decision made, Willow picked up her keys and walked straight out the front door. Yes, she would have to avoid her sister’s questions about her dating life, and her mom would be full of advice if she told her how she was feeling about Asher, but sitting at the dinner table with company was better than sitting alone, waiting for Asher to come home.
His date is going to think she’s hit the jackpot.Squeezing her eyes closed, Willow rubbed one hand across her forehead, thinking about her strange reaction to seeing Asher dressed up.
It’s like he said,I’m blaming myself for these bad dates and looking for an easy answer to the problem.Lifting her chin, Willow tightened her jaw, determined.But one thing’s for sure: Asher is definitelynotthe answer.
12
Ishould have stayed with her.
Driving away when his conscience was screaming at him to stay was one of the worst feelings Asher had ever experienced. Twice, he’d almost pulled his car over, ready to make a U-turn and head back home, but he’d talked himself out of it just because it wouldn’t be fair to Gabby.
He shook his head, his jaw tight. A growl ripped from his throat, frustrated with himself.Why did I agree to this stupid date in the first place?
Everything was working out so badly. If he hadn’t agreed to go on the date with Gabby, then he would have been able to stay with Willow. He would have been able to look after her.Asher shook his head.
Asher hadn’t missed the way Willow had looked at him, that wide-eyed, flushed look that told him something had changed. It had been as if she’d seen him in a completely new light, and Asher had been desperate to stay there, desperate to see exactly what it might lead to.
The date didn’t mean anything, at least not to him. He didn’t have to stay for too long.Taking a deep breath, Asher let his lungs fill with air before he let it out again slowly.
Slamming on his brakes, Asher pulled the car to the side.
What was he doing?
His date with Gabby meant nothing. He was going out of a sense of duty, nothing more. But he had seen in Willow’s eyes that she was desperate for him to stay—and still, he had walked straight out the door.
I am being so stupid. Willow shouldn’t be alone tonight, and even if nothing is going to happen between us, she’s still my best friend. And my best friend needs me right now.
Picking up his phone, Asher dialed Gabby’s number. She picked up almost at once.
“Hello?”
“Hi Gabby. It’s Asher.
“Hi, Asher,” Gabby responded.
Asher cleared his throat. “I’m on my way to you right now, but something’s come up. Something serious.” He gestured with his hand, as though she could see him. “I’m actually sitting in the car right now at the side of the road, but I have to head back home. Do you mind if we reschedule? I’m really sorry to do this on such short notice.”
“I guess we’re going to have to.” From her voice, Asher couldn’t work out exactly what Gabby was feeling, but his responsibility wasn’t toward her. It was to Willow.
“Like I said, I’m really sorry.”
“Sure, no problem.” Gabby’s tone was cold now, her clipped words short and biting.
Asher gritted his teeth and winced.“So, can we reschedule?”
“Go take care of whatever you need to handle. I’ll call you sometime soon.”
Before Asher could say anything else, she had hung up.
Aware of the little stab of guilt, Asher grimaced, set down his cellphone, and put both hands on the steering wheel.
Relieved that he’d brought the date to an end before it could even begin, he turned the car around and headed back home.
* * *
“Willow?”
