AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’ve got an idea.” Resting both hands on her shoulders, Asher smiled down at her, trying to bring back a little light into her expression. “How about you go get started on that ice cream, and I’ll go start on dinner?”
“Ice cream before dinner?” The darkness left Willow’s eyes as she finally began to smile. “Now you’re talking!”
“I figure it’s the least you deserve after what you went through today.” Walking into the kitchen, he shouted back over his shoulder toward her. “What did you say you picked up for dinner?”
Silence.
Glancing back, Asher caught sight of Willow’s scarlet face. Her head dropped, and she mumbled her answer.
She’s so cute when she’s embarrassed.
“Willow.” Walking toward her, he saw her duck her head, avoiding him. “What did you pick up for dinner?”
“Pizza.”
Asher’s grin practically split his face in half.
“The perfect accompaniment to ice cream!” They had an ongoing joke that they only ever ate pizza when one of them was feeling miserable. Ifhebought pizza, Willow would always ask him what was wrong, and vice versa. It actually made for a good conversation starter. “At least this time you don’t have to tell me what’s bothering you!”
“Ididbuy tomatoes and cucumber and stuff for a salad, too.” Her eyes flickered up to his. “Sorry, I just couldn’t face making anything else. I just wanted to be home with you.”
Warmth spread across his chest. “I’m glad to be here for you, Willow.” Taking a breath, Asher straightened his shoulders as an idea threw itself into his mind “I’ll start making the salad and get the pizzas cooking, and then…” He wiggled his eyebrows. “We can have our own furry festival!”
Willow’s eyes flared in horror, her head lifting right away so that she could look into his face. “No…” Closing her eyes, she shivered visibly, her voice a half-whisper. “Pleasedon’t tell me this is something you’re into, something that you’ve kept secret from me for all these years. I don’t know if I could cope with it!”
Asher couldn’t contain his laughter. It poured out of him until Willow was laughing, too, even though she didn’t know why. She laughed so hard that tears began to pour down her cheeks.
“You’re joking.” Willow stepped forward and poked one finger into his side. Letting out a yelp of surprise, Asher caught her hand and pulled her toward him. Willow fell against him, her hands flat against his chest. Her eyes were like the clear blue sky that came just after a heavy rain.
Willow narrowed her eyes, and Asher grinned, pushing away his growing desire to drop his head and kiss her.
“I don’t know what you’re planning, Asher, but there’s no way I’m dressing up in any sort of costume.”
“Nope, definitely don’t need a costume for this.” Letting her go before he acted on his instincts, he jabbed one thumb in the direction of the kitchen. “Like I said, I’ll get the pizzas on, start the salad, and then we’ll have our own furry festival—I was serious about that. And trust me, this is one you’re definitely going to love.”
Willow looked up at him, her expression suddenly soft and her smile tender. “I always trust you, Asher.” Holding his gaze for a second longer, she pushed herself away from him, turned, and wandered into the living room, letting his heart drag after her. Fighting the urge to pull her back into his arms, Asher turned toward the kitchen.
* * *
“How’s thatice cream coming along?”
Balancing a large tray of pizza in one hand and carrying a bowl of salad in the other, Asher made his way across the living room. Willow was curled up in the corner of the couch, her knees pulled up to her chin, with the tub of ice cream sitting next to her. She flashed him a quick look just as her face began to flood with color.
That’s always such a giveaway.
“Wait a second…” Setting down the salad bowl and the pizza on the table next to the TV, Asher threw his hands in the air in mock dismay. “You’re not about to tell me you’ve eaten all that ice cream!”
Willow dropped her head to her knees, her muffled voice barely reaching him. “I’d love to say no, but I just couldn’t help myself.”
I love this woman.Throwing his head back, Asher’s laughter filled the room, seeing Willow’s shoulders shaking—but not from tears at this time.
“You know what I’m like when it comes to ice cream!” Lifting her head, Willow pouted at him. “It was your suggestion that I have ice cream before pizza!”
“So now you’re blaming me?” Letting out an over-dramatic sigh, he gestured toward the kitchen. “You mean to tell me I’ve been exhausting myself in the kitchen while you sat in here and ate a whole tub of cookie ice cream?”
Willow arched an eyebrow. “Cookiedoughice cream, thank you.”
The laughter that bubbled up between them was an indicator that she was feeling a lot better.
