His deep voice vibrated in my ear and, alarmingly, heated my blood. I understood his sentiment. Knowing he was out there on the edge of my life this past year, I’d worried I might run into him any time I visited my sister. I hadn’t been able to simply leave him in the past.
However, whether we needed to amend our agreement to reduce the “tension,” my immediate concern was getting control over my unwanted reaction to him. Leaning away, I rested my hip against the hallway wall. “I won’t deny it’s been strange.” I folded my arms across my chest. “Knowing I might see you unexpectedly. Kind of like waiting for a jack-in-the-box to pop.”
His eyes lowered, focusing on my neck. My pulse beat so rapidly I imagined he could see it.
He opened his mouth to reply, but we were interrupted by Vivienne, coming to collect her two youngest children. Unawareof the loaded conversation she’d interrupted, she gave Will a quick hug hello before turning to me.
“How’d they do?” she asked, reaching over to pet the dog.
I cleared my throat and took another step away from Will. “Great. We’ve been having a mini fashion show.”
She grinned at the sight of her kids sprawled out on my bed. “Sounds fun. Thanks again.”
“Anytime.”
“Mama, I really like these bracelets.” Connor raised his arm to show the jeweled circles of all different shapes and sizes he’d layered up to his elbow.
“Those are very pretty, sweetheart,” his mom said. “Maybe we can buy you some bracelets next time we go to the store.”
He glanced down at his arm. In a small voice, he asked, “Like these?”
“Whatever ones you like. I’m sure Scarlett will help you decide.”
Scarlett grinned and rubbed her brother’s hand. “We’ll find cheek ones.”
The little girl giggled at her own joke, but her brother’s face remained serious. “Will you write that on my calendar?” he questioned his mother.
“Of course I will.”
Vivienne turned her attention back to me and Will, shaking her head and gesturing to Connor. “It’s an adventure every day with this one. He doesn’t mind having fifteen bracelets clanking on his arm, but if he so much as touches a microfiber towel, it’s sensory overload.” She laughed at Scarlett trying to fit even more bracelets on her brother as Bambi carefully observed. “But I couldn’t ask for better kids.”
“They’re sweethearts,” I agreed, squeezing Vivienne on the shoulder. “I hope you’ll let them hang out with me more whileI’m staying here. In fact, I’d be happy to take all four kids sometime, so you and Trav could grab a date night.”
“I’ll never say no to that,” Vivienne said, eventually herding her offspring back toward the living room.
Will stayed behind. I understood he wanted to continue our conversation, but I felt too unmoored. “I know we have to talk, but I can’t yet,” I stated firmly. “You kind of brought up the wholerenegotiatingthing out of the blue. I need some time to get my thoughts together.”
Before he could say anything, I moved back into my room and closed the door behind me. Turning around, I slumped heavily against it and sank to the floor, gathering my knees in my arms. I felt the lurch of him resting his fist on the opposite side before his footsteps eventually retreated down the hall.
I busied myself putting my accessory collection away. After carefully separating the jewelry and folding the scarves, I fell on my bed, hugging a pillow. I’d channeled my inner badass last year when I saw Will and could surely do so again. I wasn’t ready to be soft with him. But the way his whispering in my ear sent shivers down my spine showed he could get to me if I allowed it.
My phone buzzing interrupted my thoughts.
WILL:I’ve been told that I snore.
Huh?Was that a mistake? Had he been randomly texting someone about his sleeping habits while I’d been stressing out in my bedroom? What the hell? I paused before typing the only possible reply.
ME:???
He was ready for me, his response instantaneous.
WILL: I snore. Also, I’m terrible about sticking to a workout schedule. It makes me self-conscious of my calves. I’m basically a human cricket with tiny stick legs.
ME:???
WILL:I can’t cook anything properly. I can produce burned grilled cheese and maybe some watery scrambled eggs on a good day, but it’s usually takeout or microwave meals for me.
I couldn’t help it. I smiled.
