CHAPTER FOURTEEN
The breath caught in Amy’s lungs as she turned to look at him. “With who?”
Will’s eyebrows rose at the question. “With me. Why would I be asking for someone else?”
Amy shrugged. “I just thought maybe you had a friend you were going to fix me up with.”
“Nope. Asking on my own behalf.”
Amy stared at him, not entirely sure how to respond. “Is this because of Isabella?”
“What do you mean?” Will slid his hands into the front pockets of the black pants he wore.
“Am I the first woman she’s become so attached to?” Amy could tell from Will’s expression that she was. “I’m not interested in a relationship with someone who’s just looking for a mother for their child. Not that I wouldn’t want to be Isabella’s mother, but that’s not a good basis for a relationship.”
Will didn’t reply at first. “I can’t lie and say that’s not partof it. But there is more. You’re the first woman who has made me laugh like you have. I enjoy being around you and the happiness and joy with which you live your life. It’s very attractive. Even when facing struggles, you’ve continued to be upbeat and haven’t let them keep you down.”
Amy looked away briefly. Was this God’s sign? She sure hoped not, because she still wasn’t convinced that Will was the man she wanted to live the rest of her life with, even though her heart seemed to think he was. “I don’t date lightly, Will.”
“You think I’m asking you to engage in some sort of summer fling?” Will asked.
“I’m not sure what to think. My time here is limited. I hadn’t planned on making this a permanent move.” She wanted to say more, to reveal to him the real reason she wasn’t sure about allowing anything to develop between them.
“I understand that.” He shrugged. “I guess I wasn’t thinking long term yet. I just really enjoyed this evening with you and would like to do it again. Except without the grocery list. And maybe in a restaurant where food doesn’t come in meal deals. I thought maybe you might have felt the same way.”
If only he knew. Her heart pounded as she looked at him standing there, everything she’d once dreamed of having, and asking her what she’d longed to be asked eight years ago. She would have jumped on it back then. But now? “I did enjoy being with you tonight.”
“But?”
“Is there a way we can do this without Isabella knowing? I don’t want her to get her hopes up for something that...well, until we figure out what...” She stopped and took a breath, struggling for words and air.
Will stepped closer and took her hand. “Let’s take it one step at a time. How about we go out for dinner once and then decide if we want to try it again.”
If her words had been scrambled before, the touch of his hand on hers scattered what few had been left. This wasn’t like her. She was usually able to roll with the punches but, right then, a million different thoughts vied for attention in her mind. “Okay. Dinner would be good.”
“How about Saturday night? Once all the party stuff is done, and you can relax.”
“Sure. That sounds good. But what will you do with Isabella?”
“I’ll figure something out,” Will said as her hand slid from his. He looked at her more intently. “Are you okay? You look almost...sick.”
That was probably a good description for how she felt. Sick with excitement. Sick with fear. “I’m fine. This is all just a bit unexpected.”
Will tilted his head. “This can’t be the first time you’ve been asked out.”
“No, it’s not,” Amy admitted.
“So why are you surprised that I asked you out?”
“It’s just a very...odd situation with my brother being married to your sister. And honestly, I didn’t expect you to see me as potential dating material.”
Will’s brows drew together. He looked like he was going to say something then stopped. After a brief pause he said, “Well, I guess now you know differently.”
“Yes, I do.” Amy tucked her hands into the pockets of her capris, trying hard to keep the tumult of emotion from pouring out. “I think we should probably get back to the manor. Don’t want the refrigerator items to go bad.”
The trip was made in silence but for Josh and Cami singing once again. In the midst of all the emotions, the only feeling Amy could get a real grasp on was anger, but who it was truly directed at was a mystery to her. She felt anger at herself for not knowing her own mind and for being so hung up on Will’s past. She wished she could have just said yeswithout dithering all over the place. And she was a bit angry at God for not making this easier. She didn’t like being confused or dealing with such complicated emotions.
After they parked in front of the manor, Amy put her hand on the door handle to open it. When Will touched her arm, she hesitated before turning to look at him.
