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Willow didn’t pay much attention to the people Evie was pointing out.
Why did Asher have to go and do this? Is this his way of proving to me that he just wants us to be friends? That our kiss was a mistake?
“Whoa, two hundred dollars? That’s a good start.” Hadley draped one arm around Willow’s shoulders. “Sure you don’t want to bid? It might be better than that dating app you’ve been trying.”
“I really don’t.”I only want Asher.
“Look! He’s a little older, isn’t he?”
“But still really handsome.” Evie giggled as Theo tugged her close. “How much do you think they’ll bid on him?”
Willow didn’t listen to the conversation. She didn’t really care about the bidding or about the bachelors. Today was one of the worst days of her life, and here she was in the middle of the Tomato and Rhubarb Festival, trying to have a good time.
Perhaps going there was a bad idea, but she couldn’t have stayed at home in case Asher turned up.
She’d managed to avoid him all day yesterday by busying herself with work and then going straight to sleep when she was done—and then this morning, she’d waited until he’d left the house before she’d gotten out of bed.
“They’re getting through them fast, huh? I wonder when Asher’s going to come out.” Evie leaned toward Willow. “He’s a good sport for doing this. I’ve always thought he was a good guy.”
Willow’s lips pulled downwards. “He is. He’s a great guy.”
Hadley chuckled. “I bet they’re saving the best ‘til last.”
“Yeah, probably.”That’s not something I can disagree with.“I’m sure he’ll get a lot of bids.” The thought of Asher going out on another date after what they’d shared sent Willow’s heart into a violent spin. This was the last thing she wanted, the last thing she wanted to see.
“And here we have our final bachelor!”
Noelle’s voice rang across the crowd, and Willow’s heart slammed against her ribs.
She didn’t hear much of the introduction that Noelle made. Her eyes were glued to Asher, seeing the way his face flushed.
He’s nervous.
Her throat clogged as she dropped her gaze.
“Wow!” Evie’s exclamation had Willow lifting her head. “I didn’t think Asher had it in him!”
Blinking in surprise, Willow stared as Asher unzipped his hoodie. The crowd went wild as they realized what he was doing, and a few more women came to join the group. A surge of heat crawled into her core, spreading upwards as she thought about the time she’d seen Asher chopping wood in the backyard.
He looks so good, and they’re all going to see that.
“I think he’s wearing something underneath.” Trying to speak off hand, Willow ignored the quickening of her heart.
“I don’t think it matters,” Hadley replied as Evie covered her mouth with one hand, hiding her grin. “He’s got the crowd going. I really hope this bidding goes well after all the effort he’s putting in!”
Everything seemed to play out in slow motion. The bids came in, and as Asher continued to unzip his hoodie, Willow’s mouth went dry, her heart beating so furiously that she could barely hear anything else.
“Look!”
Hadley elbowed her, jerking her back to the present.
“Isn’t that someone from the camp? I was sure I saw her at the fireworks.”
Blinking, Willow tried to focus on the young woman that Hadley had pointed out. She was slim and wore a tank top and shorts, revealing her toned arms and legs. Her brown hair glinted bronze in the sunshine, her sunglasses sitting lightly on the top of her head, and she had one hand raised, shouting out another bid.
“I…I don’t know.”
“I’m sure it is.”
