Page 3 of Small Town Best Friend

“You’re taking a picture of my fingers?”

Willow laughed. “Hey, you were the one telling me that I get the shots nobody else sees, right?”

Asher cleared his throat. “Yeah, I guess I did.”

“Then hold your hand just like that.”

Holding the camera to her eye, Willow went for her shot. The lake was behind Asher, and with the sunshine swirling across the top of the water, it looked as though his hand was reaching out to brush the place where the water met the shore. The background was blurry, but Willow liked it that way. To her, it captured the sensation of being in a dream, where the edges were blurred but the feelings still so strong. Looking at her camera screen, Willow gave a small smile and then got to her feet, giving Asher a thumbs up.

“Okay, I’m done.”

“Really?”

“Yes.” Catching his teasing grin, Willow threw up her hands. “I mean, we can stay here all day taking more if you’d like.”

Asher laughed, threw his arm around her shoulders, and pulled her close again. “You going to show me that photo?”

Willow looked up at him. “Only on one condition.” She didn’t have to say anymore. The corner of Asher’s mouth tipped up, and his eyes crinkled gently at the corners. He could tell what she was going to say.

“I’m pretty sure that’s extortion.”

“But your chocolate milkshakes are so good, and I haven’t had one in a long time!” She batted her eyelashes and gently nudged him with her elbow. “Please?” Dragging the word out, she batted her eyes again, making Asher snort with laughter.

“How could a guy say no to that?”

“Then you’ll make me one?”

Asher nodded and smiled. “Sure, Willow, I’ll make you a chocolate milkshake. Come on, let’s head back to the camp.”

2

Asher sat back in his chair and closed his eyes.Why did I have to bring that up?

His mind protested that it wasn’t as though he’d been able to help it. Standing in the church, watching Charlotte get married, had summoned so many images of himself and Willow that it had been hard to forget. He’d brought it up in the hope that she hadn’t forgotten—and was relieved when she’d laughed about it. That told him at least that she remembered it. Although it wasn’t like she’d been enthusiastic.

Only two years to go.Why did he do this to himself?

Asher opened his eyes but didn’t lift his head. His gaze traced over the pattern on the ceiling, looking from left to right as he tried to figure out his feelings for Willow.

When he’d first made the promise just after graduating college, Asher hadn’t thought much about it. It had been a safety net, that was all.

Letting out a long sigh, Asher finally opened his eyes and pushed himself out of the chair. They were best friends, but there was still a line, and he wasn’t about to cross it.

If he was honest with himself, he would admit that he was deeply in love with Willow. If he looked back on their friendship, he was sure he alwayshadbeen. He couldn’t pinpoint when his feelings had started, but they’d gotten so big that Asher wasn’t able to ignore them any longer.

The last thing he wanted to do was ruin their friendship, though, and she hadn’t given him any hints that she felt the same way about him.

Shaking his head, he looked over the campers’ registration forms for the following week.

Willow was a catch, which he had told her, and he meant it. Not only was she gorgeous—with her blonde hair and light eyes—but her sense of humor and her ability to get along with everyone made her even more attractive. She would make her future husband very happy some day.

A heaviness settled in his heart, and Asher grimaced, shaking his head hard, as though that would clear his thoughts. He had to get his head in the game. The guests would be arriving soon, and he needed to make sure that everything was ready.

His parents had been running Camp Windy Lake for decades, but now it was time for him to start taking the reins. He’d have full control in a few years, so right now, he needed to use every opportunity he could to get a handle on things. Camp Windy Lake was a successful business, and the last thing Asher wanted was for it to go under. He had to make sure he understood everything about how the business ran, and that meant making sure that he double checked everything.

“Tom and Marie Phillips arriving on Monday…” Murmuring to himself, Asher ran one finger along the page. “Marie has a severe nut allergy.”

A line formed between his eyebrows as he frowned. Had all the toiletries in the room been checked? Did the cook, Patty, know about her requirements? He would make sure that Marie had everything she needed. It was his parents’ attention to small details that made the camp successful, and Asher wanted to offer the same level of customer service as he took over more responsibilities.

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