“I think that toothbrush works great,” he said, his voice playful.
“You smell minty fresh.” I said with a chuckle.
“Meredith stayed at Evan’s,” I said, turning in his arms. “Is it weird that they’re hooking up?”
“A little,” he admitted. “But nothing ever lasts with Evan.”
“Same with Meredith,” I said, laughing. “She never lets anyone get close. And she kind of blew off Jasper. She put him in the friend zone fast.”
“She leaves soon, doesn’t she?”
“Yeah, tomorrow. But she’ll be back for Christmas.”
“I love how close you two are,” he said. “It’s nice.”
“You seem close with your sister too. And Evan. You two have that… closeness.”
“Evan’s like a brother to me. He is family.”
I smiled, warmth tugging at my chest. I liked hearing him open up, collecting these little pieces of him as if they were mine to keep. The more I learned, the more I wanted, every detail that made Will, Will.
After breakfast, Will helped clear the dishes, much to my surprise.
“You don’t have to do that,” I said, watching him rinse plates. “I’m not used to a man helping in the kitchen.”
“Hey, I’m divorced. I know how to do domestic stuff,” he said with a smirk. “My maid only comes three days a week.”
“Three days a week?” I teased. “You’re fancy, Parker.”
“My mom insisted. Otherwise, it would be her over five days a week.” He said cringing.
We chatted about our upcoming schedules before Meredith walked in, clearly embracing the walk of shame. She wore what looked like Evan’s boxers and one of his button-ups, her hair a chaotic bun. Somehow, she still looked like a Calvin Klein model.
“Head killing me. Need coffee,” she groaned.
“Rough night?” Will asked, amused.
“Your friend is a bad influence,” she muttered.
“That’s my cue,” Will said. He kissed me goodbye and left.
As I made Meredith breakfast, I couldn’t resist asking, “So, how did Jasper lose out to Evan?”
“Jasper bored me. I set him up with Lisa. She’s probably getting breakfast in bed from him right now,” she said with a sly grin.
“You were bored? That fast?”
She shrugged. “It’s not like Evan and I are serious. It’s just fun.”
Shaking my head, I handed her a plate and some ibuprofen. “You’re a mess, Meredith.”
She grinned. “Takes one to know one.”
I laughed as I cleaned up the kitchen, grateful for the messy, imperfect people who made my life whole.
CHAPTER 39
BREAK ON THROUGH TO THE OTHER SIDE
