AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Asher’s frown grew. “Does that matter?”
“It would mean less money for the senior center, and we’re trying to raise as much as we can.” Noelle’s eyes fixed to his. “Butyou’rea single guy…”
It took Asher a few seconds to realize what she was suggesting. His eyes flared, and he immediately stepped back, both hands raised in protest. “No. No way.”
“Why not?” Noelle advanced toward him, her eyes wide and a hopeful smile on her face. “You’d be so great! I guarantee that you’ll bring in a lot of money.”
A glance toward Willow told Asher that she was keeping out of things. She’d dropped her head and was chewing on her bottom lip.
“What do I have to do?” Seeing the way Noelle began to smile, he shook his head. “I’m not agreeing to do it, I’m just asking.”
“Okay. So, you come up on the stage, we talk about your many,manyqualities, and then the women watching start bidding.”
“I thought this was a silent auction.”
Noelle grinned. “This part’s not so silent.”
Asher cleared his throat, reaching around to rub the back of his neck. “And the winning bidder gets…”
“You take them out on a date, that’s all. And since this is last minute, I’ll cover all your expenses.”
Chuckling, Asher dropped his hand. “You don’t have to do that.”
“Then you’ll do it?”
He found his eyes straying toward Willow. She hadn’t lifted her head. Her gaze was fixed to the ground, and her arms were folded tight across her chest. They hadn’t had a chance to talk, and the awkward tension between them was becoming more apparent with every second. Asher was surprised that no one else seemed to feel it.
Well, if she wants us to just be friends, then she can’t complain if I take someone else out on a date.
“Sure, why not?”
In that second, Willow’s head lifted, her blue eyes huge with surprise.
“Really?” Noelle let out a screech of delight, reached across, and grabbed his arm. “You are amazing, Asher! Come on!”
“What, we need to go now?” His stomach began to churn, and a cold sweat broke out across his forehead. “What happens if no one bids on me?”
Evie laughed and shook her head. “I don’t think that’s something you need to worry about. You’re quite the catch here in Windy Lake! You’ll have a ton of women fighting over you.”
“Uh…thanks.” His stomach twisted this way and that, being tugged away by Noelle. “Just promise me one of you will bid on me if the worst happens!”
Hadley and Evie laughed, but Willow didn’t even crack a smile. Asher swallowed hard, wanting her to look at him, but her head just dropped again.I hate that things are so awkward between us now.
“Here we are!”
Finally letting Noelle lead him away, Asher turned his attention to the stage.
“Here are the other guys. Everyone, this is Asher. He’s going to stand in for Gareth.”
The other guys nodded or smiled at him.
“When the time comes, I’ll call you on the stage. You stand on that ‘X’ where the tape is and smile.” Finally letting go of his arm, Noelle tilted her head and let her eyes run up and down over him. “And I’d take off your hoodie. You’ve got a t-shirt underneath, right?”
Heat climbed up his spine and into his neck. “No, just a tank top. I was planning on chopping wood today, so I—”
“I’m embarrassing you now.” Noelle gave him a gentle shove. “Don’t worry so much, you’re going to be great! I’ll talk about your various good qualities, but I’ll leave out that Willow is your best friend. No sense in letting your date get jealous!”
“There’s nothing to be jealous about.” Clearing his throat, Asher tried to smile. “What will you do if no one bids on me?”
