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I suddenly realize how close we are to each other. Hell, our arms are almost touching. But I don’t mind. Sitting like this next to Arden makes me even warmer.
Maybe I should scoot my chair a little closer?
But then he might notice.
No, he definitely would.
I better just stay put.
Blowing out a breath, and thankfully unaware of the mental gymnastics I have going on inside my head, he asks, “So how would you rate your first day without your sister and Hayden around?”
I think about it and say, “Surprisingly, I’d give it a solid ten.” I smile over at him. “Thanks to you, of course, I haven’t had much of a chance to get lonely or feel bored.”
Chuckling, he replies, “That’s good. I’m glad I could help.”
He pauses, seemingly contemplating something as he stares at the fire, the warm glow highlighting his chiseled features.
Curious, I ask, “What are you thinking?”
He looks over at me. “Can I be honest with you about something?”
“Sure, absolutely.”
Taking a breath, he exhales and then says, “I like hanging out with you, Willow. You’re easy to be around. So I guess what I’m trying to say is that us spending time together isn’t just about me keeping you busy so you’re not bored or lonely. I’m truly having a good time. I just thought you should know that.”
For some reason his admission makes me feel really happy, and I tell him as much.
He confesses that when Hayden first asked him to “check in on” me and show me around town, he thought he’d end up being a tour guide of sorts.
“Oh my God, right?” I laugh. “When Addison told me she asked Hayden to talk to you about keeping an eye on me, I was pissed as hell at her. I told her I didn’t need a freaking babysitter.”
He chuckles. “That’s funny you’d say that, ’cause Nils, my teammate, said something similar to me.”
“What? That you’d be babysitting me?”
“Yeah.” He laughs. “I wasn’t going to tell you, but since you brought it up…”
Touching his arm with mine, I say, “Well, no matter what we thought they meant, I’m glad it’s working out. Maybe they were onto something after all.”
Peering over at me, his eyes reflecting the flames of the fire, he says softly, “Maybe they were.”
For a long-drawn-out beat it’s almost like we’re having a moment. But then I remind myself that as well as we’re getting along, we need to keep things platonic.
So, sighing and patting the arms of the chair, I say, “How about those s’mores? Are you ready to make some?”
Arden seems relieved as well, as he breathes out a long sigh. I think he also doesn’t want to mess up what could be the start of a good friendship.
Nodding, he says, “Yeah, I could go for some s’mores right about now.”
Arden
We’re going to have to be careful here. I can see that. The issue is that Willow and I have a connection that’s rare to find.
Too bad it can’t go anywhere.
But it can’t.
I’m glad when she brings up the s’mores. And I’m quick to head inside and bring out what we need in order to toast the marshmallows and put our sugary treats together.
