I quickly grabbed plates and started passing out pizza. I cut up some fruit and veggies for a side dish, anything to keep myself busy, but I couldn’t stop stealing glances at him. I wanted him to look at me a certain way, and that thought filled me with a dizzying mix of guilt and exhilaration.
“Sorry for the wild energy,” I said, stepping aside Will, as the kids gobbled their meal.
“Are you kidding? This is great,” he said, tucking his phone away. “I love your home, by the way.”
He sounded so sincere that I felt a rush of warmth. “Thanks. I used to be an interior designer before I had children,” I said. “I loved making people’s homes their happy place.”
“Well, if you ever have time, I could use some help. I’m still settling into my new place. You know, newly divorced guy and all.” He said it lightly, almost jokingly, but there was an edge of vulnerability in his voice.
With a genuine smile and a hitch in my breath, “I’d be happy to take a look.”
When the girls finished eating, Will scooped Ivy into his arms and helped her with her coat. She smiled at him adoringly.
As they left, he turned back to me. “You have my number. If you want to take on a project, let me know.”
I stood in the doorway, watching them leave. Helping Will would be great, I told myself. I could be professional. Just help him with his house and keep things strictly platonic.Right?
I got my kids ready for bed, and when I finally crawled into mine, Jason still wasn’t home. I stared at the ceiling but I wasn’t thinking about my husband. I was thinking about the way Will looked at me, and the warmth in his voice when he said he liked my home, and the idea of helping him with his place. It all left me with restless energy humming under my skin. Something I wasn’t sure how to quiet.
I heard the garage door rumble open. Jason was home at last, it was after ten. I closed my eyes.Was I going to pretend I was asleep?
The bedroom door cracked open, and I heard Jason move quietly through the room, his suitcase rolling softly across the floor. I lay still in the darkness, the only light spilling in coming first from the dim hallway and now the bathroom. I told myself I was already half asleep, that I wasn’t avoiding him. But if that were true, why did I feel so relieved when he didn’t try to wake me?
CHAPTER 12
FLIRTING AT FULL SPEED
NATALIE
After the playdate, I tried my best not to overthink Will’s offer. It felt like an invitation I shouldn’t be accepting, but I wanted to all the same. Still, I wouldn’t bring it up unless I heard from him. Maybe he was being polite.
Two weeks went by before our paths crossed again. This time, it was at a stoplight. I tried not to look, but of course Will rolled down his window.
“Hi,” I said, in reply to his greeting, feigning surprise at seeing him, and yet I thought my voice betrayed a hint of flirtation.
What was I doing?
He grinned. “Want to race?”
I rolled my eyes dramatically. “Your Escalade doesn’t stand a chance.”
He laughed, and that was it—we were in the flirty stage. He had the right to be. He wasn’t married. I wasn’t supposed to be flirting, but I couldn’t seem to help it. The light turned green,and, of course, we both ended up going in the same direction toward the school. As we parked, my phone buzzed.
Will: I let you win.
Natalie: Let me? That’s bold.
Will: I call it polite. Avoiding a collision.
Natalie: How noble of you.
Will: So we agree, I am a gentleman.
Natalie: A self-proclaimed one, at least.
Will: Ouch. Redo soon?
I paused before responding, but deep down, I knew I probably needed to end this before it went any further. I saw Camille in her designated parking spot. She waved me over, perfect buffer. A built-in distraction.
