Terry set down his sponge when he heard Will's voice. His heart sank a little when he turned and saw the wide grin on the man's face. He would have sold his truck if it meant not having to do this, but not doing it wasn't an option.
He shot a furtive glance at the others in the ambulance bay. It was washing day, something they did once a week whether the ambulances needed to be cleaned or not. There were several people in the bay, some washing the outside of the ambulances, others cleaning the insides. Still others were gathering supplies.
This might not be the place to confront Will about the kiss. Terry didn't want to embarrass the guy. He just wanted to make sure he didn't get kissed again, at least not by Will. Things seem to be going pretty damn good with Dan right now, and Terry didn't want to mess that up, not even for someone as cute as Will.
When Will smiled in his direction, Terry returned it. Just not with the same level of enthusiasm. He sighed, knowing he needed to nip this in the bud now rather than later. It would just be cruel to let Will continue to think they were going to date.
"Hey, Will, you got a moment?" he called out when the man started toward his ambulance.
"Yeah, sure."
When Will reached him, Terry took a couple of steps back. Partly because Will was way too close for comfort, but also because he didn't want anyone else to hear what he had to say.
"So, about that beer…"
"Oh, yeah." Will's grin grew shy. "I was thinking maybe we could go tonight. I know we both have tomorrow off. I checked the schedule."
"Look, Will, I…uh…"
The smile slid off Will's face. It was a sad thing to see. "You don't want to go?"
"It's not that," Terry hurried to say. "I just…"
"Was it the kiss?" Will asked. When he continued, he talked so fast Terry had a hard time keeping up. "It was the kiss, wasn't it? I never should have been so forward with you. I apologize. I just…I like you and I got a little over excited and—"
Oh god, this is worse than I thought.
"Will, stop." Terry held up his hand. "It's not about the kiss. Well, it is, but not how you think." Here goes. "I'm seeing someone, Will. When you asked if I wanted to go out for a beer, I thought you wanted to be friends. I didn't know you were interested in more until you kissed me, and then you were gone before I could say anything."
Will's face fell. "You're seeing someone?"
"I am."
"But…I asked around. Everyone said you were single."
"We just started seeing each other."
Will's eyebrows lifted. "So, it's a new thing then?"
Terry almost groaned at the hope in Will's voice. "It is a new thing, Will, but one I am fully vested in. There's no room in my life for another man, not for anything more than a friend."
"Oh." Will blinked rapidly.
"I could always use another friend, though."
"You still want to be friends?"
Terry smiled. "Sure, why not? As long as you understand it's just friends."
Will's smile wobbled a little bit. "I'd like that."
"Okay, good." Terry patted Will's shoulder. "Maybe I can help you find someone who is single. I know a lot of people in this town."
"Yeah." Will didn't sound enthusiastic about the idea. "That would be great."
Terry didn't know what else to say to make Will feel better. He felt for Will, but he wasn't going to agree to see him just to make him feel better.
He sent Will one last smile before reaching for his sponge again. "Better get to work. The chief gets upset if the rigs are out of use for too long."
