“Good genes.” She laughed. “So, tell me about this girl.”
“What girl?”
“Very funny. I love how we play these games, like you still think I can’t read you.”
He rubbed his head and reached over for his bottled water. “Her sister is dating Charlie. So, in a couple months, when he cheerfully breaks up with her and moves on, both girls will hate me anyway. It’s not even worth talking about.”
“Ahh.”
So much was dangerous about that sound when it came to Gianna. “What is it?”
“So she’s not just some girl in a pizza shop. Charlie might move on, but that’s not your style. This girl scares you.”
“Caroline Bingley scares me.”
“Yes, but not like this. What’s her name?”
“Nope.”
“Come on. This might even tempt me to come out and pay Charlie a visit.”
Now that was big. Travel held all sorts of pitfalls for Gianna, things the average person never had to consider. The fact that she brought it up was huge.
“I would love to have you come visit. But I’m not there. I’m in Phoenix, checking on a couple properties, and after that, I’m coming home to see you.”
“So you’re running.”
“Gianna.” She wasn’t going to let this drop. She wanted him to find someone, and unfortunately, she understood better than anyone how alone he often felt. “I barely know this girl. And she despises me.” He didn’t mention Jeff Wickham showing up. That was something he’d spare her.
“She just hasn’t gotten to know the real you, yet. You don’t let anyone see that. You won’t even let me tell people about all your charity work.”
“Gianna.”
“I know, I know. Your secret’s safe with me.”
“Okay, I’m hanging up now. We can discuss this in gruesome detail tomorrow night over dinner.”
“I’m holding you to that. Goodnight, Will.”
***
Elsie stood in front of the washing machine, gripping ‘The Me Monster’ shirt and debating whether to throw it in the wash with her other clothes or toss it behind her into the trash. The image was still saved on her computer, an even scarier thought.
She heard Jane come in the front door and chucked the shirt in the load before slamming the washer door shut. So she’d wash it and hide it in the bottom of her drawer. It would end up being a funny story for later. It didn’t matter that Will’s face upon seeing it had sort of dropped. That, according to Jane, he’d left on business the next day. He deserved it. He had no heart. And if she’d somehow managed to hurt his feelings, maybe it was the wakeup call he needed.
Jeff had been texting her on and off since they’d chatted on her parents’ couch, and she wasn’t sure what to do about it. Flirting was fun, but did she really want to date him? They were going to the movies in a few hours, so apparently she’d find out.
“Was the post office busy?” she called out.
Jane poked her head into the doorway. “Not too bad. But I just realized I didn’t package up the other rush order so I have to go back in a few minutes. I’ll stop at Mom and Dad’s afterward.”
“You going out with Charlie tonight?”
“Yep. To the movies.”
Elsie frowned. “What time?” It shouldn’t matter, but the thought of Charlie blabbing to Will, telling him she’d been out with Jeff made her uncomfortable. But that was stupid. It shouldn’t matter. In fact, maybe it would be better if he knew. Jeff Wickham didn’t need to lose any more friendships over Will’s interference.
“Why, do you need me for something?” Jane asked.
