6. Asher
Chapter 6
Asher
“I f it’s about Isla, you’ve come to the right place!”
Elaine calls out when she spots me as I step into the bakery, her grin wide enough to rival the Cheshire Cat. Roxanne sets aside her book, one brow arching as she spots me from her perch at the corner table.
The scent of fresh pastries and coffee wafts through the air in Fresh n’ Fluffy, Elaine’s family bakery. My stomach’s in knots.
“What gave me away?” I mutter, approaching the counter.
Elaine chuckles, already reaching for a mug. “Oh, just the look of lovesick desperation on your face. Coffee?”
Is it that obvious?
“Please,” I nod. “Make it strong.”
Elaine asks another employee to cover the counter and then joins Roxanne at the table.
“So,” Elaine prods, “spill it, Collymore. What’s our favorite matchmaker gone and done now?”
How do I explain that the only woman I’ve ever wanted wants to set me up with someone else? How do I not take that as a flashing neon sign that she probably doesn’t feel the same way? How do I still find a way to win her?
“It’s always been her.”
There’s a strange relief in finally saying it out loud. Even if it’s just to Elaine and Roxanne. Feels like unloading a weight I’ve carried for years.
“Finally!” Elaine nearly drops the mug as she leans forward, eyes wide enough to rival her display case of pastries.
“Oh look, he actually admits it.” Roxanne’s lips twitch as if she’s almost impressed. “Alert the media. Or should we start planning the parade?”
“Are you guys always waiting for this?”
“Absolutely! We’ve been watching you make puppy eyes at each other since middle school.” Elaine gestures so wildly with her coffee mug that Roxanne has to rescue the plate of pastries from its path.
“It’s painful, really. If I had a dollar for every time you both pretended there was nothing between you two, I could fund Isla’s entire matchmaking business.” Roxanne says.
“I bet Conner sees it!” Elaine exclaims.
Thank goodness Conner isn’t in town. Being Isla’s twin brother, he’s fiercely protective, even though he’s only older by one minute. Conner seems fine with me and Isla being friends, but who knows what he’d do if he found out I wanted to claim his sister’s heart?
“How about you and Conner?” I glance at Elaine. I’ve always sensed something was brewing between those two, even if they act like they want to bite each other every time they’re in the same room.
Elaine chokes on her latte so hard I half-rise from my seat.
“Conner?” Elaine wheezes. “It’s either him or me. Never mention him again.” The fire in Elaine’s eyes could melt snow faster than my gym’s sauna on full blast.
“I think you mentioned him first.” Roxanne pats her on the back.
“So, what is your plan now?” Elaine asks quickly, before I can dig deeper into her Conner-shaped weak spot.
“Show her how I feel. Break the friendship pact.” And be the one who fulfills her Love Bucket List.
“Finally,” Roxanne says.
“Okay, but wait—did you ever bring up the maybe-you-rejected-her situation to her? You know, after we texted you?” Elaine claps her hands once.
“Yeah. I tried. But she cut me off. Said she didn’t remember.”
Based on how she reacted last night, I’m pretty sure she remembers. She just really didn’t want to talk about it. Maybe because she regrets asking. Or maybe it just didn’t mean anything to her.
Elaine slumps back dramatically in her chair, like someone just told her the bakery was out of whipped cream. “Ouch. That’s complicated. But I’m calling it, she totally remembers.”
“I told you we should’ve just asked her ourselves,” Roxanne murmurs to Elaine, lowering her voice but not quite low enough. “She’ll never admit it to him.”
Elaine throws up both hands. “Fine! You were right.”
My coffee mug pauses halfway to my mouth. “What is happening right now?”
They look at each other. Roxanne gives the tiniest nod, like this is some secret girl code being activated.
Elaine leans in, eyes gleaming. “Alright. Since you’re finally catching up—we’ve been trying to get you and Isla together.”
“You’ve what?”
“We’re just done watching you two pretend to be just friends like it’s some kind of lifelong commitment. It’s exhausting.”
“Um . . . thanks?” I say, scratching the back of my neck. “But she just asked me to become her matchmaking client. That’s her plan to save the business.”
Elaine freezes. Then she drops her forehead to the table with a quiet thunk.
“The first thing is . . .” I adjust my grip on the mug. “How are you even sure she feels the same way?”
“Have you seen the way that girl looks at you?” Elaine says.
“She looks at me like I’m her best friend. At least, that’s what she keeps emphasizing. Nothing more.”
“Yeah, if best friends undress each other with their eyes,” Roxanne says.
“Roxy!” Elaine wags a finger at her, then turns back to me. “She can’t even look you in the eye when you’re at the gym. Ever notice she’s never taken one of your training sessions? I bet she thinks she can’t handle how hot you are.”
Hope that’s true.
It might explain why she keeps dodging every free session I offer. And according to how she almost burned a hole in my abs with how long she stared at them yesterday, it might be true.
If she’s into it, I could totally make bare-chested my default look around her. I might start accidentally forgetting shirts altogether.
Though there’s another reason I want her to train with me.
“You need a game plan.” Elaine springs to her feet. “And we will help you, lover boy.”
“A game plan?”
“You could agree to Isla’s matchmaking idea.” A mischievous grin spread across Elaine’s face.
I nearly choke on my coffee. “What? How would that help?”
“Think about it. Seeing you with other women might just be the kick in the pants Isla needs. Nothing like a little jealousy to make someone realize what they’re missing.”
“I don’t know. That feels manipulative. And what about the women Isla would set me up with? It’s not fair to them.”
“Sometimes you’ve got to shake things up.” Roxanne’s eyes narrow like she’s solving a puzzle. “We all know how stubborn Isla can be. She blames herself for every breakup, clings to the just friends thing like it’s gospel, and she still won’t admit how she felt that day you half-rejected her. She’s not going to say a word unless something pushes her.”
“That’s all based on if she actually has feelings beyond friendship for me. What if she doesn’t? What if you’re just imagining things, and she only sees me as her friend?”
“Then you’ll find out by then,” Roxanne says, her voice matter-of-fact. “Without putting the entire friendship on the line.”
“Can’t believe you’re siding with Elaine. Aren’t you supposed to be the logical one?”
“Well, logically speaking,” Elaine jumps in, “maybe this matchmaking will help you find someone who unexpectedly fits you! In case you and Isla really aren’t meant to be together. And if it feels uncomfortable, just be honest. Tell the person you’re matched with upfront about your situation.”
I shake my head. The idea of pretending to pursue other women sits wrong in my gut. But maybe Elaine’s right. If I’m upfront about it, at least I’m not leading anyone on.
And it might be the only way to find out how Isla really feels and show her where I stand without wrecking twenty years of friendship. Besides, I can still secretly work my way through her Love Bucket List.
It’s the safest move I’ve got. The responsible one.
Think things through. Stay grounded. Take the kind of risk that pushes things forward without setting fire to everything behind you.
Dad’s voice echoes in my head, the way it always does when I’m standing at the edge of something big.
“Don’t just agree to be her client. Make it a deal.” Roxanne crosses her arms, a glint in her eye. “I’ve got a great idea.”
ASHER
What’s your plan for dinner?
ISLA
Unclear. Currently eyeing a bag of baby carrots and a can of soup I may or may not have burned last week.
ASHER
So, flaming soup is on the menu. Got it.
ISLA
Don’t judge me. You know I peaked at grilled cheese.
ASHER
And somehow still managed to burn half of it.
ISLA
That was one time.
ASHER
Uh-huh. Get your fork ready. I’m making pesto pasta.
ISLA
Really?
ASHER
Have I everlet you starve?
ISLA
No . . . but you havemade me laugh mid-noodle and nearly choke.
ASHER
A proud moment. Also, we’ll talk about your brilliant offer to find me love.
ISLA
Are you accepting my brilliant offer?
ASHER
Not sure. Depends on you.
“Well, well, look who’s got that just-texted-my-favorite-girl face.”
Gavin, my head trainer and partner-in-crime since high school, calls out when I step inside Collymore Fitness. His booming voice carries across the gym floor, and that lopsided grin tells me he’s up to no good.
Across the gym, golden sunlight pours through the massive windows Dad insisted on back when he turned this place from an empty warehouse into the heart of Frosthaven’s fitness community. The sunlight lights up both the latest equipment and the classic weights he’d never let me replace. Something about building character, he’d say.
I shake my head, cutting through the free weights section, and head toward Gavin’s usual corner near the squat racks. He’s propped against a barbell like it’s his personal throne. With his perpetually messy brown hair and that scar cutting through his eyebrow from a skateboarding accident when we were fifteen, Gav looks exactly like the guy who’d convince you to do something stupid, then be the first to help you up when it goes wrong.
“Some of us have actual work to do, you know.” I bump his cross-trainers with my own.
“Oh, is that what you call mooning over Isla these days?” Connie pipes up from her treadmill, not even breaking stride. The seventy-year-old firecracker has been a regular since my father owned the gym, and she’s made it her personal mission to keep everyone’s life interesting with her quick wit and warm heart.
“I wasn’t—“
“Son, we’ve seen wet puppies with more subtlety than you.” Fred, Connie’s husband and former firefighter, cuts me off with a chuckle.
Is there anyone in this town not keeping tabs on my love life?
“Can we talk about something else?” I grumble, heading for my office upstairs. “Like, I don’t know, the actual gym?”
Gavin pushes off the barbell he’s been draped over. “Ooh, touchy subject. But speaking of the gym, when are we gonna start the Senior and Adaptive Program you’ve been hemming and hawing about?”
Connie chimes in, hopping off her treadmill. “If you’re talking about the one for seniors and injury recovery, I say it’s about time. This town’s gonna love it.”
“I’m still planning. It’s a big undertaking. We’d need new equipment, specialized training.”
“You’ve got everything you need right here,” Fred says, tapping his temple. “After all, you helped me after my hip surgery. I was dancing circles around Connie in no time.”
“Dancing circles, my foot,” Connie snorts. “More like wobbling in squares.”
I smile as I watch them bicker. Forty-eight years of marriage, and they still look at each other like newlyweds. It’s the kind of love I’ve always wanted, the kind I feel for Isla.
“Henry will be proud of you,” Fred says.
Only if I don’t screw it up.
And funnily enough, the whole idea started because of him. The car accident five years ago tore his hip cartilage and fractured his lower back. Dad, who’d spent his life helping others get stronger, suddenly needed help with basic movements.
But Dad isn’t like most people. He clawed his way through recovery like it was a sport, fueled by stubbornness, solid physical therapy, and half the town cheering him on. It took a year of hard work, but he recovered.
I was there for all of it. Sat in on his sessions, spent countless hours working alongside his physical therapists, learning proper rehabilitation techniques. It pushed me to get certified in Corrective Exercise and Post-Rehabilitation fitness training.
Seeing how the right exercises and support made all the difference and it sparked something in me. A vision of what this gym could be: a place where everyone, regardless of their limitations, could rebuild their strength and confidence.
“Earth to Asher!” Gavin’s waving his hand in front of my face. “You still with us, buddy?”
“Yeah. Just thinking.”
He grins. “Well, don’t overthink it. Leave the heavy lifting to the dumbbells. Just say the word when you’re ready to roll.”
“Appreciate it,” I say with a nod. “I’ll look into it more, talk to Dad, tighten the plan before we move.”
It’s not that I don’t believe in the program. I do. But believing and launching are two different beasts, and the last thing I want is to mess it up with my dad’s name on the sign out front.
Some things, and some people, matter too much to get wrong.
Gavin claps a hand on my shoulder as he heads for the squat rack. “You’re closer than you think, man. And we’ve got your back when you’re ready.”