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“Why would he be embarrassed about that?” The bright smile shattered. “Everyone meets that way these days.” Handing him his plate, she sat down across from him.
“My point in telling you about it…is because I think I might try it, too,” He shrugged, hoping she wasn’t going to laugh at him.
The second the words left his mouth, Asher’s eyes fixed themselves to Willow. His heart rattled in his chest as he waited for her reaction.If there’s ever any hope for something more between me and her, then I’m going to know now.
“Sounds like a good idea.” Willow stabbed her fork into the salad. “What was the name of the app?”
Asher’s heart dropped to the floor. Drawing in a big breath, he smiled at her as though nothing was wrong. “It’s calledNow and Forever.”
Willow’s eyes snagged his, her mouth a little ajar. Asher didn’t even need to ask her what she thought of the name, he could tell already.
“I know, the name is kind of…overly optimistic.”
Popping a forkful of salad into her mouth, Willow chewed carefully, tilting her head to one side as her gaze drifted away. “It’s a great name for a dating app.”
I can’t tell what she’s thinking.Asher studied her carefully, his own food forgotten.I haven’t had a serious girlfriend in years.Is she thinking about what it would be like to see me dating other people?
“You said you’re going to sign up for this app?”
He nodded. “Yes, I think so.”
“Well, if you’re going to do it, then maybe I should, too.” A smile began to creep over Willow’s lips as Asher’s heart shattered all over again. “Like you said earlier, we’ve only got a couple more years until wehaveto get married to each other.” Her eyes twinkled as though she figured that was never really going to happen. “I guess I should get out there.”
“Maybe you should.” His lips felt bruised as he spoke, like each word was burning and thorny. “I thought I might sign up tonight.”
Willow’s fist suddenly thumped the table, making Asher jump. “You know what? My sister, Hadley, is coming back to Windy Lake tomorrow from college. I’m sure she’d be happy to help me.”
Asher shook his head. “That’s so unfair!” Trying to lift his spirits, he grinned, forcing the smile to his face. “Hadley is a great writer, and she’s going to make you sound amazing!”
She raised one eyebrow in her usual teasing fashion. “And why is that a problem?”
“Because you’re going to get a ton of dates, and I’ll only get one or two.”
Willow laughed. “You’re hopeful.”
“Ouch.” Pressing one hand to his heart, Asher rearranged his features into a hurt expression. “You won’t be laughing when that comes true.”
“Now you’re the one selling yourself short,” came the calm reply as Willow looked back at him, no teasing in her voice now. “Come on, Asher. Stop with your insecurities.” Waving her hand from his head to his feet, she shrugged both shoulders. “You’re hot. You’re successful. You’re funny, kind, and fun to be around. What more could someone want?”
I guess I could ask you that.
“I don’t know.” Trying to paste on a lazy grin, he tipped his head and smiled at her. “Do you mind saying all that about me again? I should write it down. It would look great on my profile. Or, maybe you can write a letter of recommendation to all of my potential dates.”
Willow picked up her napkin and whacked him with it. “How about you focus on eating your dinner?”
Holding up both hands, palms out toward her, Asher smirked. “Fine.”
“And, since I made dinner, I think you owemesomething.”
Rolling his eyes to the ceiling, Asher let out a long and dramatic sigh.I know what this means.
“You got it, baby!” She made no attempt to hide the glee in her voice. “Another chocolate milkshake on the house!” Laughing, she jabbed her fork into another piece of salad, waving it around as she spoke. “You’re going to have to start making them regularly soon, aren’t you?”
“Yes.” Asher tried to drag the word out, but the look of joy on Willow’s face was too much. “When camp starts, I’ll be making them almost every day. And I suppose you could get one free just for putting up with me.”
Her eyebrows wiggled. “A free one every day?”
Asher tried another dramatic sigh, but it had no effect. “A free one every day. You got it.”
