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Willow laughed, and Asher let his mouth pull into a grin.And I’d much rather be here with you anyway.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Maybe she should have put that she has cats on her profile.”
“That would have been helpful. But I ended up here, which is where I really wanted to be.” Turning around, he gestured to the crazy party going on all around them. “I don’t think I would have wanted to miss this. The whole town is going to be talking about it tomorrow!”
“Mom is loving it.”
Asher laughed. “I figured Meredith would. Maybe she’s going to regret not having a birthday party all these years ifthisis the sort of party she gets!” The air was filled with music and laughter mingling together, with the band in one corner of the yard and huge drums set up on the other. The drumbeat didn’t seem to fit in with the music, until Asher remembered what Willow had said: anyone could play them, and right now, whoever was beating out a rhythm on them had no idea about how to keep a beat. Fire-lit torches were set in the ground, lighting up the dark evening but not drowning out the darkness entirely. If he wanted, Asher would still be able to see the stars. He grinned.
It was amazing. Crazy, but amazing.
“There are so many people here.”
“Yeah, we had a good turnout. I’m glad about that. As it turns out, people don’t mind that my mom is so eccentric.”
“Where is your mom?”
Willow laughed and shook her head. “I have no idea. The last time I saw her, she was taking Annabeth Larch up into the dining room, so that she could show her some crystals. Something to do with her arthritis and her chakras.”
Asher grinned. “Maybe that’s something we’ll need one day—a crystal to help clear our chakras and soothe our arthritis.” Hearing Willow’s bark of laughter, he smiled into her eyes. “Your mom has a lot of people who love her.”
“Yes, she does.”
When Asher looked back at Willow, she had her head tilted to one side, and her eyes were a little narrowed. Her blonde hair fell to one side like a curtain, but it was the questions in her expression that caught him. She was so beautiful that it was like a punch to the gut.
She can’t know just how much I want to wrap my arms around her, how much I want to kiss her and tell her that I love her.
“I’m glad you’re here.” To his surprise, Willow reached out and ran her hands down his arm until her fingers finally caught his. She held his hand for just a second, watching him. Asher pressed his lips together tightly, all too aware of the inner volcano that threatened to erupt at any second.
“Want to give them a try?” Willow’s face suddenly split with a smile as she began to drag him over toward the drums. Asher went willingly, letting her lead him and finding himself caught between desire and fear. The minute he’d seen her, it felt as though he had come home. He wanted to be here instead of with Gabby, and seeing Willow happy made his own heart fill with joy.
I don’t want to pretend that we can just be friends any longer.I want us to be more than friends, and maybe tonight is the night to tell her.
“Here.” Handing him a drumstick, Willow walked to one of the biggest drums and began to beat out a rhythm on it. Asher watched her lithe, swift movements and felt his stomach drop to the ground, then race back up toward his heart.
She is incredible.
“Come on!” Willow beckoned him over to her with her free hand and a grin, and after a second, Asher went to join her. He began to beat out the rhythm, trying to keep it in time with the faint music that was drifting over toward them both.
“Can’t you go any faster?”
Seeing the way Willow grinned at him, Asher forgot completely about keeping in time with the music. Soon, they were both trying to hammer out the fastest rhythm, with Willow beginning to giggle so hard that she eventually had to give up.
“The winner!”
Letting out a bellow of triumph, Asher threw up one hand over his head, still clutching the drumstick. Willow poked him hard in the side, then tore away when he yelped. He turned to give chase, seeing her weaving in and out the other guests and throwing a glance over her shoulder every few seconds.
Her eyes were sparkling, her lips in a wide smile, and Asher’s heart was full. This was what he loved—just being with Willow.
There is no one like her. I’ll never find anyone that can compare to her, and the truth is, I don’t want to try.
“Gotcha!” His hand sneaked out and grabbed her wrist, making Willow shriek with laughter. He tried to pull her back toward him, but she twisted her wrist out of his hand and began to back up.
“Come and dance with me.”
The music wasn’t slow, and there were lots of other guests out dancing in the middle of the yard, just in front of the band. “You know I can’t dance!”
Willow grinned at him, twisting her head this way and that, one arm stretching out toward him, her finger crooked as she beckoned him forward.
