He shook his head and laughed. But there was something softer in his gaze as he said, “Well, I would want you to be my date to the gala.”
His words were simple, but they hit me squarely in the heart. They were somehow so vulnerable.
I looked down at my glass but I could feel my lips tugging into a small smile just thinking about the impossible possibility of being his date.
Will let the silence settle between us, then he said quietly, “I like this. Just talking to you like this. It’s easy.”
“It is.”
“It’s rare,” he added. “To feel like someone actually sees you.”
“Yeah,” I said, “It is.”
It was moments like these that undid me, so easy, so dangerous, and so right.
At some point, I checked the time. “We’ve overstayed our welcome,” I said, half-laughing as I finished the last sip of my wine.
“You’re always welcome,” he said, softly but firmly. His expression was so open it made my chest ache.
He looked like he wanted to kiss me. My body leaned forward almost instinctively, the magnetism unspoken but undeniable. For one breathless moment, I wanted nothing more than to close the space between us.
Then Will’s phone buzzed.
He frowned, his face growing serious as he answered. “Hello?” He listened for a moment, his expression hardening. “I’ll be right there.”
“What is it?” I asked, already sensing something was wrong.
“It’s Madison. She’s been drinking at some boy’s house across town. I need to pick her up.”
“Go. I’ll stay here with the kids.”
He hesitated. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. Go.” I insisted, waving him toward the door.
“Thank you.” The relief in his voice was clear.
He grabbed his keys and left.
I checked on the kids. The girls were fast asleep, tangled in blankets. Upstairs, James was slumped over a game controller on the floor. Chase and Carter looked up as I walked in.
“James is a cool kid,” Carter said.
I smiled, scooping James up. “He’s a keeper.”
I carried him downstairs, his little head resting on my shoulder, and settled him next to Bebe in the theater room. The weight of his tiny body against mine made my heart ache. It had been so long since I’d held him like that.
Will returned a little after ten, guiding Madison inside. She was clearly drunk, unsteady on her feet.
“I think I’m going to throw up,” she muttered.
Will’s jaw clenched, but his voice was calm as he led her toward the bathroom. I followed instinctively.
As soon as we reached the bathroom, Madison started vomiting. Will crouched next to her, rubbing her back. I knelt beside them, gently holding Madison’s hair out of her face.
“It’s okay,” I whispered as her body trembled. “You’ll feel better soon.”
When she was done, she slumped against the counter, tears streaking her flushed cheeks. “I’ll help her shower,” I offered quietly, glancing at Will.
