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Her sister’s lips twisted, but she didn’t ask her anything else. Turning back to her laptop, Willow lifted the lid and waited for the screen to come on.
“I get that you don’t want to talk about it, but I want the best for you. I think you and Ashertogetheris what would be best.”
Willow shook her head, her eyes fixed to her screen. “Trust me on this, Hadley. Thank you for trying to help, but Asher and I are done. We’re friends, and that’s it.
Hadley shook her head, a sigh rippling out toward Willow. “I wish things would work out for you guys. I still think he loves you.”
Willow smiled sadly to herself, tears welling in her eyes. “You’ve always been optimistic, and I love that about you, but sometimes you have to just face the truth.” Taking in a shaking breath, she turned around to face her sister. “And this is the truth: I love Asher, but he doesn’t feel the same way about me. He just wants to be friends.”
A single tear ran down her cheek as she shrugged, wordlessly, turning back to face her laptop.
“Oh, Willow.” Hadley’s voice was soft, breaking with sympathy. Bending over the back of Willow’s chair, she put her arms around her and rested her cheek against hers. “I’m sorry.”
The ache in Willow’s throat was so painful that she couldn’t breathe. Her vision blurred with tears, and she squeezed her eyes closed.
“It’s going to be okay.” Hadley’s whispered encouragement did nothing to help Willow’s heart.
“No, I don’t think it will be.” Her voice broke completely, and tears began to stream down her cheeks. “I don’t think anything’s going to be okay again.”
18
Idon’t know what to do.
Asher ran one hand over his hair, looking up the stairs toward Willow’s room. He hadn’t seen Willow since the festival, and that was three days ago. He needed to talk to her.
Opening his mouth to call her name, Asher hesitated.
The door opened, and Asher’s heart lifted.
“Bye, Hadley.”
Clearing his throat gently, Asher stepped to one side, trying to ignore the flare of disappointment. The bedroom door shut with a click, and then Hadley’s feet tramped down the stairs.
“Hi. Sorry, I didn’t see you come in. I thought you were Willow.”
Hadley’s smile was soft. “It’s nice to see you. I was so impressed with the amount you raised at the auction.”
Self-conscious, Asher shook his head, his eyes darting away from Hadley’s face. “Yeah, that was awkward.”
“You did great!”
“I just wish I had a date to show for it.”
Hadley’s smile slipped, and she reached out one hand, as if she wanted to grab his arm. “Wait, what?”
Asher shrugged. “I don’t have a date.”
“But Willow had the winning bid, so you have a date withher, don’t you?”
His shoulders dropped. “As much as I’d like to, no, I don’t. She made it clear that it wasn’t a big deal. She basically said that she’d only done it to give money to the senior center, which I’m sure they really appreciate.”
Hadley’s eyes widened. “She said that?” A quick glance up the stairs, and she lowered her voice. “That was genuinely what she told you?”
“Yes, it was.”I don’t know how much Willow’s told her. I need to be careful here. I don’t want to break any confidences.
“So, you’re getting a lot of mixed signals from her right now?” Hadley raised one eyebrow. “I know things have changed between you. Willow told me. But she also said that she thinks you just want to be friends.”
Asher’s heart twisted. “What?” Staring at Hadley, he saw her nod. “Are you sure?”
