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Opening the car door, Asher got out just as Willow came trudging up the path back toward the house. She stopped dead when she saw him, her eyes flaring wide.
“You…you’re back.”
“Sure am.” Closing the car door behind him, he walked over to her. “What’s wrong? I thought you were having dinner here.” His heart ripped in his chest when he saw the red marks under her eyes.She’s been crying.
“I was going to, but then I thought I would head over to Mom and Dad’s place. I didn’t want to be by myself. But when I got there, I realized that I forgot Mom was having her ‘Weekend of Crystals’ with some friends. Hadley and Dad had already cleared out to give her some space. Mom said they’d gone out for pizza. She told me to go find them, but I was already too tired, so I figured I’d just come back home, maybe order takeout.”
Asher’s jaw set.I shouldn’t have left.“I’m sorry, Willow. I saw you were upset. I should have stayed.”
“It’s not your fault.” Her smile was a little lacking and didn’t reach her eyes. She didn’t seem able to look at him. “I’m fine. Takeout will be a perfect end to a less-than-perfect day.” Blinking, she rubbed her hand under her nose, trying to hide the way she sniffed. “What are you doing back here? I thought you had a date.”
“I did. I was already on my way out, and I realized I had something more important to do.”
Her eyes finally met his. “What is it? Has something happened at camp?”
“No.” Walking closer, he flung one arm round her shoulders and pulled her in against him. “I realized that my best friend needed me.”
The next second, Willow’s shoulders began to shake. Asher said nothing, just wrapped his other arm around her and held her as tightly as he could. He wanted to say that the next date would be better, wanted to tell her not to give up…and at the same time, wanted to tell her everything that was in his heart.
Instead, Asher just held her close and waited until her shoulders had stopped shaking.
Now wasn’t the time to reveal anything important. She was already going through enough.
“You are the sweetest guy, you know?” Finally, Willow looked up at him, wiping away her tears with the back of her hand. Her smile was a little wobbly, but at least her eyes were clear. “Maybe I should call up your date and let her know exactly just how wonderful you are.”
“You don’t need to do that.”I don’t think Gabby would want to listen, either.“That date wasn’t a big deal to me. I don’t mind missing it.”
Willow’s smile flattened. “You don’t seem as into this as I am, and this was all your idea. I swear, if you’re giving up onNow and Foreveralready, then I’ll—”
Maybe that’s because I realize I’ve already got everything I need right here.
Her eyes flared, and her smile shattered completely.
Oh, no. Did I just say that out loud?
“Come on, let’s go get dinner. I don’t mind if we make it or if we get takeout—whatever you want.” Trying to bluster his way through, Asher began to lead Willow up to the house, one arm still around her shoulders. “I can go to the store to get anything else we need.”
“Thanks. I really appreciate that.” Willow didn’t pick up on what he’d said, and Asher let out a slow, surreptitious breath of relief.
I have to cheer her up somehow.
“I think I’d like to make dinner, now that you’re here.” Walking into the house, she turned to face him.
Asher smiled back into her eyes. “Sounds good to me.”
Willow sighed, and her shoulders dropped. “I just wish I’d gotten some ice cream. I didn’t manage to pick any up in the store. I figured it would melt by the time I got home.”
Happiness lifted Asher’s heart. “Just as well I stopped by the store, then.” Hearing her gasp of delight, his smile broadened into a grin.There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you.
“Are you serious?”
“Sure am. You like that cookie dough stuff the best, right?”
Willow closed her eyes, shaking her head in a quick, tight movement. “I don’t think anyone knows me as well as you, Asher.” When she opened her eyes to look up at him, the light blue orbs seemed suddenly darker, searching his as though he had the answer to a question she hadn’t asked. “How am I supposed to find someone when none of them will match up to you?”
Asher didn’t answer. He pulled her closer and dropped a kiss to her forehead, just like he’d done before he’d left for his date. Something was stirring inside him, and as much as Asher resisted, the flame of hope in his heart reignited itself.
He longed to pull her into his arms and feel her skin against his, to smell her sweet scent.
