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Starting in surprise, Willow’s eyes rounded, and she looked up.That’s not Asher.
“What’s a pretty girl like you doing sitting all by herself?” The man stuck both hands to his hips, tipped his head to one side, and grinned at her.
“I’m not by myself.”The last thing I need right now is some guy trying to hit on me.“I’m just waiting for my friend.”
“Boyfriend?” The man laughed, and even in the dim light, Willow could see how he wiggled his eyebrows at her.
Trying to come up with something that would get him to leave her alone, Willow cleared her throat. “I don’t think—”
“Sorry I took so long!”
Before she realized what was happening, someone sat down next to her, and lips pressed a kiss to her cheek. A familiar smell of coffee and sunshine had her letting out a long breath of relief.Asher.
“No problem, honey.” Playing along, Willow leaned into him and felt his arm wrapping around her shoulders, pulling her close against him. “Just glad you made it before the fireworks.”
“I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”
Willow lifted her gaze back to the man in front of her, but he was already turning away. Laughing, she let herself relax, her head resting on Asher’s shoulder.
“Thank you. I didn’t want to deal with him.”
“No?” Asher’s chest rumbled with laughter. “He could have been your fourth hot date.”
“I’m happy right here with you, thank you very much.” Sighing softly, Willow tilted her head back. “Are you okay? I can shift if you’re uncomfortable.” She was still cozy up against him, and his arm was still around her shoulders, but for whatever reason, this felt right, as if she was always meant to be here, cuddling up close with him.
“No, I’m fine.” Chuckling, he leaned to one side, dragging her with him. “Sorry, I just had to take care of a few more things. It’s been a long day, but I’m really glad the guests had a good time.”
“They had the best day. I’ve got the photos to prove it.”
He laughed again, and his hand tightened gently on her shoulder. “This is the best part of my day. The part I always look forward to.”
“Me too.”This might be the last year you can do this.
The sudden thought sent a stub of fear right through Willow’s heart, forcing her to catch her breath.
“You okay?”
Asher shifted slightly, looking down at her, but Willow only nodded. This wasn’t something she wanted to share.
If he found someone else, then he’d be sitting with someone other than her.
Pain stabbed wildly at her again and again, and Willow squeezed her eyes closed.I can’t even stand the thought of that. That hurts.
The butterflies came back to her stomach in a whirlwind, her skin suddenly prickling with goosebumps where his thumb rubbed her shoulder gently.I don’t want it to be anyone else but me.
“Do you think it would be so bad if we ended up together?”
The shock of what she was feeling entwined with the surprise of what Asher had just asked her rendered Willow completely useless. She stared straight ahead, her mouth a little ajar and her eyes wide and staring.
Fortunately, the first of the fireworks began to burst across the sky, giving her a few minutes to try and make sense of everything that was going on in her head.
“I don’t think it would be the worst thing, no.”
Willow wasn’t sure she’d spoken loud enough for Asher to hear, but from the way his hand squeezed her shoulder, she figured he’d listened to her.
What if she told him the truth? What if she told him that she didn’t want anyone else?Shifting a little, Willow felt every single muscle in her body tense. “Asher, I—”
“Wow, that was a good one!”
