I think it’s due to the company.
No, I know it is.
That’s why I say softly, “Willa, you don’t have to leave. I have this rental till the beginning of August. You can stay as long as you like.”
Her eyes instantly light up, but then her face falls.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
She sighs. “It’s just that I don’t want to take advantage. I feel like I should pay you or something if I stay.”
“Okay, first of all.” I hold up my hand. “Stop with this paying stuff. We already went over that our first day.” I lower my hand and hold her gaze. “If you do stay, I don’t want any money. This place is already paid for anyway. Not to mention, Iwantyou to stay. It will suck around here if you go.”
Her eyes soften, and fuck, I wish I could go over and wrap her up in my arms.
What would it feel like to hold her, kiss her—
“All right,” she says at last, breaking me from my reverie.
“Are you saying that you’ll stay?” I double-check.
Nodding, she smiles. “Yes, I’m staying.”
Fuck yeah!
Ican’t believe Shane asked me to stay beyond the three weeks I had booked. I sure am happy about it, though. I’ve been dreading having to go home in fourteen short days.
Now we have the whole summer.
Well, just about. He did say we’d have to go by early August. With how well we get along, I may just stay till then.
Who knows?
One thing, though, is that I should have checked with Shay before agreeing to stay. After all, we do share a business.
Can I really be gone for that long?
I don’t want it to look like I’m abandoning her.
I’m in my bedroom now, sitting on my bed. I’m in my sleep shorts and a baggy tee, about to go to sleep soon. But since it’s not really super late, I decide to call Shay and get her up to speed on what’s going on.
If she wants me to come back on time, I will. Though I sure will be sad about leaving Shane.
First things first, let’s talk to Shay.
I call, and she answers on the second ring.
Good, she’s not sleeping yet.
After we greet each other, she asks, “So, have you banged the hockey dude yet?”
“Oh my God,” I breathe out. “You are impossible. Didn’t I tell you he and I are just going to be friends?”
“You did, yes,” she confirms. “But you’ve been there a whole week, and I thought maybe things have changed.”
Shaking my head and laughing, I inform her, “No, nothing has changed. At least, not regardingthat. But we have been spending a ton of time together, and I really like him. He’s super nice and easy to be around.”
“Okay, let’s see…” She starts ticking off items. “He’s a professional hockey player, he’s super hot, you two enjoy spending time together, you live in the same city, and he’s nice. Girl!” she exclaims. “Where is the problem here? Why are you stuck on this ‘friends’ thing? Live a little, Willa. Have some fun. You deserve it.”
