She doesn’t hesitate. “Absolutely not.”
“But it’s Will, Tish. Sam’s known him since they were kids. This is messy. It’s?—”
“It’s life,” she cuts in. “And maybe it’s complicated, but that doesn’t make it wrong.”
I don’t answer right away. Because part of me still wonders if it is wrong. If wanting him this much makes me selfish. If keeping this from Sam makes me a coward.
But Tish’s voice softens. “Listen. Are you happy?”
I press my hand to my chest, where the thought of him lives like a pulse.
“Yeah,” I whisper. “I really am.”
“Then screw the rules,” she says. “Go get your cowboy.”
The next night, we’re back at Will’s place. Dinner half-eaten. Wine mostly untouched. Because the second I sat on his lap, everything else stopped mattering. We’re tangled on the couch, my shirt lost somewhere behind us, his belt hanging open, when he suddenly pauses.
Reaches for my phone.
And gives me a look that makes my pulse skip.
“What are you doing?” I ask, breathless.
He taps the screen and flips it to speaker.
“You need to return a missed call,” he says smoothly.
My brain is slow to catch up. The only person that’s called me today is Tish.
My eyes go wide. “Will?—”
“You should be a good friend and call her back.”
He hits dial.
And I barely have time to brace myself before Tish’s voice chirps through the speaker. “Well, well, if it isn’t my sex-starved bestie from BHC. What’s up?”
I scramble for something say.
“Just wanted to know if you were coming in for Christmas?”
Will’s hand slips beneath the cotton of my panties, right to the spot that has my lips parting.
Tish snorts. “I think so. Even though it’s going to be nothing but couples, babies, and lustful looks all around.”
I laugh that turns into a gasp.
“What’s Will up to tonight?”
Will’s smirk is wicked as he leans in, sucking on my neck.
“Just hanging out.”
“Uh huh. If you’re not knocked up by Christmas, I’ll be shocked.”
Will’s eyes gleam.
I slap his chest, mouthing,Do not say anything.
