“Isn’t that harassment?” Is she afraid to put a label on it?
“Um––” Willa looks to her left. “I need to go. I’ve got to catch the El––”
“Let me drive you home at least.”
Shaking her head dramatically, Willa says, “No. It’s way up north.”
“Which neighborhood?”
“Rogers Park.”
That is way up north. “Why the hell do you live all the way up there?” I chuckle. “Isn’t McAllister in the South Loop area?”
“It’s affordable. Besides, it’s not a bad commute.”
She starts to walk away, but the urge to stop her is strong. I’m not ready for this day to end. “Please. Allow me to drive you, Willa.”
“I’m good. Thanks for everything, Hudson. You’re a lifesaver.” I watch her get absorbed into the large crowd that’s leaving the stadium. As soon as she’s out of my sight, something foreign, strange, occurs to me. I feel sadness and strangely alone.
“Where the fuck have you been, man?”
A large hand belonging to my best friend and business partner, Brenton Zahn, slaps my back, hard.
“Jesus. Lay off with the hitting.” I continue the trek to my car. Brent follows alongside me.
“Pussy.”
I chuckle at his insult because he knows I can kick his ass.
“Seriously, where were you? I thought we were gonna talk about the draft.”
“I, uh, got caught up with someone.” When I see my car, I press the key fob to unlock the doors.
He smirks. “I just bet you did, my man.” He slaps me again. “How hot was she?”
I’ve got to give that some thought. “She was the prettiest woman I’ve ever seen.” And that’s no lie. That fact I was taken with her so quickly is something I’m going to have to analyze. Why her?
“Wow.” Brenton’s smirk is gone. “What’s her name?”
“Willa.” I could repeat that a million more times. It’s that nice.
“Hm,” Brenton scratches his chin. “Sounds like an old lady.”
I’m instantly angry. “I can assure you; she wasnotold.”
“Well, I’ll be damned.” Brent beams. “It’s about time you settled down.”
“Now, wait one minute…”
“I mean, look how happy I’ve been since meeting Harmony.”
It’s true. Ever since he met his girl at the farmer’s market, he’s been happy as a clam. “You gonna put a ring on her finger?”
Brenton’s face flushes. “Just bought the ring last week.”
“No shit? You’re doing it?”
“Working on that. It needs to be unique. Like her.”
