Will tossed me his rental keys and quipped, “Remember, drive right, stay left.”
I wasn’t so confident about this whole driving on the right of the car and the left of the road. We were about to leave when I realized I’d forgotten my coffee and ran back inside to grab my travel mug.
As I walked into the kitchen, I came smack into the scene of Will’s mother yelling at him. She appeared very upset.
“I don’t want one dime from him, Will. Ever. He doesn’t bother to acknowledge his oldest son, and now I have the other one suggesting that he help pay for his care. Honestly, if you really loved your brother, you’d tell your father to piss off and never speak to him again.”
Both turned to see me, frozen with a big deer-in-the-headlights look on my face.
“Sorry, I forgot this—” I grabbed the mug. “—and, um, we’ll be back later.”
I flicked a quick glance at Will and was out the door in a shot. Once in the car, I sighed deeply and put it into reverse, selfishly thankful that at least she hadn’t been reading him the riot act about me.
“Everything okay?” Janet asked, studying me.
“Yeah, fine. Sorry, I was just thinking about work.”
“You’re a terrible liar.”
She grinned and then so did I. At fourteen, she was annoyingly perceptive. “So I’ve heard. The truth is that I walked in on your brother and your mom discussing something personal that I probably shouldn’t have overheard.”
She didn’t seem surprised. “So what if you’re divorced and older? As I told my mum, it’s none of our business who Will dates or if you have money. It’s not like you’re old enough to be a cougar. Plus, I think you’re cool.”
That was a lot to process, especially since it wasn’t the topic I’d walked in on. Undoubtedly, my suitability had been discussed at some point after breakfast, most likely when I’d used the restroom. Out of the mouths of babes. I gave her a small smile. “Thanks, Janet.”
“At least they’re not fighting about Will’s dad this time. Will left early on his last visit because of it.”
My father wouldn’t even hear of letting me pay for a meal in a restaurant. So the fact that Will’s mother would rather have her son than Thomas’ biological father pay for his considerable care didn’t sit well. This was especially unsettling for me since it was such a heavy burden for Will to shoulder. However, I told myself it was none of my business. After all, I was merely the temporary, divorced, not-quite-a-cougar in Will’s life.
***
By the time Janet and I returned from the fabric store with a few new pieces that had the young girl excited, Thomas had arrived, and the house was full of laughter and food. Whatever argument had been fought earlier between mother and son seemed to take a backseat to the pleasure of having everyone here now. I was grateful Will was the type of guy to let it roll off of him and not affect his mood.
Of course, that meant I needed to do the same. What did I care if Will’s mom liked me or not? Not only was I past the point in my life of trying to please parents, but also, frankly, I’d probably never see her again. Yet the reminder that I was only temporary was depressing.
Later that evening as I stood in the cabin bathroom, removing my makeup, I could feel Will’s gaze on me. Turning, I saw him leaned up against the door jamb, shirtless. That picture alone was enough to distract me from anything negative.
“Don’t stop on my account. I find it fascinating to watch you.”
He stepped behind me, meeting my eyes in the mirror and smiling before leaning down, where he swept my hair to the side and kissed the back of my neck.
A shiver ran through me with the heat of such a simple gesture. “Today was nice with your brother here.”
“It was, and I think it made my mom really happy. Look, about the argument you walked in on earlier with my mum and I...” He seemed tense, almost like he was bracing himself for the conversation.
“I’m sorry I barged in on such a personal discussion. If you don’t wish to talk about it, it’s okay; I won’t take offense.”
“It’s not much of a discussion when only one person is doing the yelling. More like venting her frustration, I suppose.” He paused as if he’d revealed too much. “But no, I don’t want to talk about it.”
It had been a long time since his parent’s divorce and thus surprising that his mother was still so angry, but if he didn’t wish to get into it, then I needed to respect that. “Okay, then we won’t.” Deciding to lighten things up, I quipped, “So do you honestly enjoy the fermented veggie stuff?”
His fingers tickled my sides, causing me to laugh. “Vegemite. And it’s a comfort thing, I suppose. Eating it on toast reminds me of when I was young. When my dad moved us to the States, it was a bit of a culture shock at first with so many changes.”
And because he had opened the door, I decided to tiptoe through it. “Did you like living in California with him?”
“For the most part. Played soccer, as you yanks call it, and surfed. My dad started a business, so he worked a lot, but he always made sure he came to my games. I also had a good group of mates.”
“What made you decide to move back and go to college in Sydney?”
“It allowed me to be closer to Thomas and help out when I could on university breaks. Then, once I signed with the modelling agency, I moved to New York, and the rest you know.”
“I take it your mom resents your father for taking you away?”
He nodded. “I think she could’ve gotten over him forgetting about her. But that he didn’t have anything to do with Thomas is something she can’t forgive. She hates that I maintain a relationship with him and balancing the two of them is sometimes hard.”
I turned around to touch his shoulder, now understanding more about what drove him in wanting to support his brother and take the burden off his mother. “That would be rough. Do you think your father would help out if you asked?”
He shrugged. “Maybe, but it would send my mom off the deep end. So much for not talking about it, eh?”
I smiled, happy he felt comfortable enough to do so. I kept to myself the thought that Will was working himself to the bone to try to spare his mother’s feelings and his father’s responsibility.
He met my gaze and stroked my cheek. “So, do you want to discuss what Janet thinks you overheard? She spilled the beans when you got back.”
Ah, the divorced cougar comment she’d thought I’d walked in on. “Not really. It’s no big deal, and I can do a lot worse than being called a cougar.” It was a reminder that Will and I couldn’t be in more different places in our lives.
“I believe the proper term would be puma. You’re not old enough to be a cougar.”
“Well, that’s good to know. But I feel like either one may be an invitation to scratch the hell out of your shoulders tonight.”
He grinned, pushing his hips against mine and leaning me back onto the shelf vanity. “In other words, you’re ready to change the subject.”
I nodded, throwing my arms around his neck. “I think we both are.”
***
Will’s voice permeated my dream until I realized he was actually speaking to me. “Wake up, beautiful.”
I opened an eye and realized he was standing next to the bed, fully clothed. Glancing towards the window, I saw it still appeared dark. The two facts combined weren’t computing, especially since I was currently naked under the blankets. “Why are you up?”
“We have plans.”
“What time is it?” My brain wasn’t yet firing on all cylinders, and my body was protesting the thought of getting out of a warm bed.
“Early, and although it’s tempting to join you again under those blankets, we have a drive, so we need to get moving.”
“Mm. To do what?”
“It’s a surprise. Wear your workout gear.”
“Do I have a few minutes for a shower?”
He grinned. “Only if you hurry. Come on.”
By t
he time I was dressed and in the car, I’d begun to wake up and the sun had started to rise. Will had been thoughtful enough to pack both protein bars and my precious coffee, prepared just the way I liked it. “No hints?” I prompted.
He shook his head. “Not even one. Now tell me, were you a wait patiently to see what Santa brought you as a kid, or did you snoop for your gifts?”
“Neither. I didn’t trust that Santa wouldn’t get me something silly, given how my mother thinks. The fact I clued in that he wasn’t real by the time I was six meant I had a list prepared by the end of October with several price points so my mother could give ideas to my grandparents and anyone else who might ask. I shudder to think what level I would’ve taken it to if I’d had Pinterest available at the time.”
Glancing over, he chuckled. “That’s adorable.”
Now it was my turn to laugh. “You’re crazy to think so, but how about you?”
“Snooping is what ruined Santa when I was eight because I found a toy under my parents’ bed and when the same toy was under the tree on Christmas morning, it let me know the truth. The lesson was: unless you want to ruin the fantasy, don’t go looking for a reason to do so.”
Although there appeared to be no intent to place a double meaning in his words, I thought of the applicability towards our situation. I hoped I could keep myself from overthinking things and thus popping this virtual bubble we’d created.
As we pulled into a dirt parking lot, I wondered if we were going on a hike. But then I caught sight of some people on a bridge and, more shocking, one diving off. Oh, my God. My wide eyes met Will’s twinkling ones. “We’re bungee jumping?”
He leaned in and kissed my shocked face. “I’m showing diversity by crossing off things on your nonsexual list, too. Let’s go have some fun.”
***
“Put on a dress and some comfortable shoes for dancing. I’m taking you out on a date.”
Will announced this once he’d returned from spending the afternoon with his brother. After my morning high from the adrenaline rush of diving off a bridge, I’d come back, napped, and then caught up with some work. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d taken a nap: of course the long sexy shower which had resulted in two orgasms might have had something to do with it.
“Really?”
He waggled his eyebrows. “Yes. And if you play your cards right, you might get lucky tonight, too.”
I laughed, enjoying the novelty of it. For the first time in forever, I was going out on a date without stressing about what to say, how to act, or how it would end.
Our evening started with a romantic dinner in town where we both enjoyed beers and steak while weaving between small talk and more personal things.
After the meal, Will took my hand and led me two doors down to an upscale bar with a band. It felt natural to be in his arms on the dance floor where he held me close and we swayed to the slow song. It felt the same way when he put his hand on the small of my back while ordering drinks at the bar. He leaned in and whispered the things he couldn’t wait to do to me later this evening.
Even as his words left me breathless, a kernel of fear set in. I couldn’t remember ever having so much fun as I’d had today with any other man, either in and out of the bedroom. So, what would happen once I tried to return to the real world of dating? I had already been disappointed when the expectations had been low, but now that the bar had been set sky high with a guy like Will who was the total package, panic was starting to bloom, despite my best efforts to damp it down.
He paid the bill at the bar just the same as he had at dinner, obviously not entertaining the idea of my doing so. Then he wove his fingers with mine and walked me out to the car. The sound of my cell phone broke through on the way, and while I was content to ignore it, my date wasn’t.
“Is that your ex-husband again?”
I shrugged, taking the phone out of my clutch and showing him it was, indeed.
“I could nip this right now. Do you mind if I take it?” He held out his hand for my phone.
Huh. I was fascinated to see what he’d have to say, so I held it out for him and watched.
“Catherine’s phone,” he answered. “I’m sorry, but she can’t talk at the moment as she’s in the shower.”
I quirked a brow, enjoying his passive-aggressive attempt to make my ex aware he was interrupting.
He stopped and listened a moment. “Yes, I know who you are, but the question is why do you keep calling your ex-wife when she’s made it clear she’s on vacation and doesn’t wish to speak with you?”
Add this to the list of items that surprised me about a man Will’s age as he had no qualms about taking charge of a situation. I watched his eyes flick to mine while he listened to whatever explanation Michael had.
“I see. I’m sorry for your loss. Hold one moment.” He sighed deeply and handed over the phone, mouthing the words, “His mother died.”
Oh, shit. “Hello,” I answered and then listened to Michael break down about the unexpected death of his mom a couple of days ago.
Will opened my door and sat patiently while I apologized with my eyes for the unplanned conversation, but I knew he understood. He rubbed my back while I tried to pay attention to the details Michael was telling me.
“The wake is on Friday evening and the funeral on Saturday morning at Saint Marks. She’d want you there.”
My mother-in-law and always been kind to me even if we’d never had the closest of relationships. But, selfishly, the first thing that came to mind was that I’d have to return to the church in which I’d married where I’d have to see all of my ex-relatives and my ex-husband’s new pregnant fiancée. But then when I looked over at Will and felt my heart in my throat from the feelings I’d already developed for him, I realized this was my out. I had better grab it like a lifeline before I got in in any deeper.
“I’m in Australia, but I’ll try to get a flight out tomorrow.”
He sighed. “Okay, good. Um, who was answering your phone?”
“We’re not talking about that. I’m truly sorry for your loss, Michael and I’ll see you Saturday.”
After saying goodbye and hanging up the phone, I sat there in the passenger seat, absorbing the news that his mother had died from a heart attack after a brief hospitalization. She’d only been in her late fifties. And here I’d been dodging his calls, irritated with his intrusion while he’d been losing his mother. Will’s voice broke my thoughts.
“Don’t go feeling guilty, love. You couldn’t have known. He could’ve told you in a text or voicemail, and you would’ve contacted him sooner. And I wouldn’t have been a dick on the phone to a guy who’d just lost his mum.”
I met his eyes and took his offered hand. “You didn’t know, either, and I was appreciating the whole knight-in-shining-armor thing up until he broke the news. Thank you for being so understanding.”
He started up the car. “You’re traveling back for the funeral, I take it?”
“It’s the respectful thing to do. I need to find a flight for tomorrow.”
He sighed. “If the funeral is Saturday, then you could leave on Friday. The time difference works in your favor on the return trip.”
I glanced over, feeling like a chicken about my impending white lie. “I may try to go to the wake, too. She was my family at one time, and I don’t want to take any chances on a delayed flight.”
He started up the car, and we drove in silence. Once we arrived, I moved quickly inside. “I’m going to call my travel agent and then pack.” I flitted around the room, gathering my things, only to have him tug on my hand.
“What if I go with you? That way you aren’t alone seeing your ex and his family.”
It was incredibly considerate for Will to suggest this and not at all surprising since he was such a caring guy. Unfortunately, his offer only drove home my fear that I was already too late to prevent myself from falling for him. “I appreciate the gesture, but you should stay and spend time with yo
ur family. Besides, it’s probably better I go home and get a jump start on all I need to get done in preparation for Fashion Week.”
He studied me for a minute as though he could see through my bullshit. Then he kissed my cheek. “Okay. Whatever you want.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
I arrived ten minutes before the funeral service for Michael’s mother and took a seat in the rear of the beautiful cathedral. I’d chosen not to attend the wake yesterday evening simply because it would’ve been too much of a hassle to go straight from the airport. Plus, one ex-family event was enough to pay my respects.
My last evening with Will had been bittersweet. We’d spent the night in each other’s arms and hadn’t spoken of when we might see one another again. Although I’d panicked, running as fast as I could from Australia, now that I was back in New York and off vacation, I knew reality would inevitably change our dynamic. Hopefully that would allow me to put things firmly back into the casual bucket and not leave me with the same emotional risk.
Surveying the hundreds of people sitting in front of me in the pews, I wasn’t surprised to see the great number in attendance. Michael’s mother had been heavily involved in the church and various charities throughout the years. What was shocking was to see my mom and dad walk in and take a seat next to me. My mother answered my unasked question.
“Michael let us know about his mom and that you’d be coming for the funeral, so we thought we’d come to pay our respects and be here for you.”
Parents of the year, right here, I tell you. Their presence and unwavering support meant the world to me.
Michael’s eyes met mine when I went up for communion, but I had no intention of staying to speak with him or anyone else. This was a day for family. So when the service ended, I slipped out the back door with my parents. But he must’ve made a beeline for me the moment they announced refreshments would be served next door because there he was hurrying down the front steps of the church after us.
“Catherine, hold up.”
He caught up to me as I was texting Sherman to bring the car around. My mom said some comforting words to him and gave him a hug. My father did the same before Michael turned to me.
Teach Me Something (Something Series Book 4) Page 17
