Excerpt

One minute, I’m confident it’s all in my head. The next, I feel something I didn’t think possible, confident Asher does, too. This is why I’ve avoided dating for so long. It’s too stressful.

“Well, if you change your mind, give me a shout.”

She shoots her eyes to mine before spinning around. I’m about to pull my hand away, but Asher tightens his grasp.

I try not to read too much into it. We’re just two friends holding hands. Hell, there were quite a few nights I’d dozed off on his shoulder as I listened to him strum his guitar at the lake house.

Each summer, I looked forward to spending time there. After dinner, we’d sit by the lake, a campfire burning, and actually talk to each other. No distractions. Spending time together in a way most people no longer do in this technology-driven society. Jessie would inevitably go inside early, complaining about the mosquitos, despite not having a single bite on his flesh. I should have known then we were incompatible. He hated everything to do with nature, preferring the pace of the city. While I love urban life, I enjoy getting away from it all, too. Something I haven’t had the opportunity to do for too long now.

A squeeze on my hand brings me back from my memories, and I return my eyes to Asher as he releases his hold. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have used you as a barrier, but I don’t think she would have gotten the hint otherwise.”

I smile weakly. “What are friends for?”