Jeff, who could hear the entire conversation, nodded eagerly, mouthing “me too.”
“Do you mind if I bring a friend?”
“As long as she’s not too pretty. I don’t want anyone else competing for Collin’s attention.”
Jeff batted his eyelashes and pretended to fluff his hair.
Elsie gave him a shove. “Don’t worry about that, Mom. We’ll be over soon.”
***
Caroline studied the computer screen behind Will as if it might have the answer she was seeking. But unfortunately for her, there were no news articles about Will’s dating life. She snapped out of it and pasted back on a smile. “Sorry to interrupt. Um, are you two coming in for dinner?” She leaned against the doorway in what she probably hoped was a casual stance.
“Of course we’re coming.” Gianna nudged Will’s arm. “Calorie counting is on hold for tonight. I made lasagna, and Caroline brought her famous chocolate cake. It’s to die for.”
“Actually, the cake I made this time is gluten-free and packed with antioxidants from all the organic spinach.”
“Sounds delicious,” Will said with more than a hint of sarcasm. He sat down across from Caroline and served up salad to Gianna’s plate, and then his.
Caroline’s eyes narrowed as she took the bowl from him. “It is delicious, Will. And I’ll expect an apology after your second slice.”
“Well then, we’ll have to save room for dessert,” Gianna said, once again playing peacemaker.
Will decided he wouldn’t eat a single bite of spinach cake, no matter what. “Don’t eat too much, Gianna. I want to take you on in basketball after this.”
Gianna grinned. “Fine, but I’m leaving the hoop at eight feet.”
Caroline dropped her fork. “Basketball? Will, are you making a joke? That’s highly insensitive of you.”
Gianna touched Will’s hand before he could say something rude in response. “Caroline, I just started playing in a wheelchair league, and Will was so excited for me, he had the ballroom converted to a basketball court.”
Caroline’s eyes widened in alarm. “Your parents’ ballroom? But we had our sixteenth birthday parties in there. Your parents’ twenty-fifth anniversary ball…”
Gianna’s face dropped, and Will put his fist down on the table a little harder than he meant to, making the silverware jump. “Stop it, Caroline. There won’t be any hoity-toity balls held in there again. At least now it’s not just an echoing room, collecting dust. Gianna’s friends come over and play every week. Besides, from a purely financial standpoint, it’s a good renovation, making the space more attractive to future homebuyers.” He turned to Gianna. “But that’s not why I did it. I’d renovate it again if you suddenly decided you needed an indoor zoo, or a gigantic sewing room, or a replica of the Taj Mahal. I just want you to be happy.”
Caroline sniffed, and Will looked over at her, surprised to see she was actually teary-eyed. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything. It caught me by surprise is all.” She gave Gianna a tentative smile. “I don’t play, but I’d love to watch the two of you. I assume Will is sitting in a wheelchair for this?”
Gianna nodded. “We keep an extra one.”
Will had initially brought up basketball in hopes of sending Caroline home, but she looked so contrite he found he actually wanted her to stay and see for herself. “It wouldn’t be the same without you insulting me and hoping I miss all my shots.”
Caroline smiled at him. “Of course. But first, my cake.”
***
Mrs. Bennet met them at the door and quickly ushered them in, giving Jeff Wickham a wary glance. “This is the friend you wanted to bring along? I thought Jeff was Lydia’s friend.”
Jeff gave Mrs. Bennet a wide smile and placed a hand on each shoulder. “Mrs. B, I just love spending time with your family. I hope you don’t mind my stopping in, but I can go if it’s a problem.”
Mrs. Bennet fluttered under his steady gaze. “Of course you can stay, Jeff. We’re always happy to have friends of Lydia … and Elsie.” She turned to Elsie and smoothed out Elsie’s hair. “Collin is in the kitchen chatting with your dad, so go on in. Jane called a few minutes ago and said she was on her way.”
Elsie took a deep breath. Joking about the whole thing with Jeff had been fun, but she wasn’t looking forward to getting to know Collin again. Or being thrown at him as a potential girlfriend.
“Elsie!” Mr. Bennet’s eyes lit up when she entered the kitchen, but then her view of her dad was blocked by a gangly body and a large hand, outstretched to shake hers.
Collin’s overly-white smile gleamed. “So good to see you again, Elsie. It’s been too long.” As he shook her hand, he placed his other hand on top, successfully trapping hers. His hands were super soft, like he’d never had to use them. “You’ve grown into a beautiful young woman.”
She tried not to be creeped out by that statement and let him keep her in his makeshift trap. He finally let go and went in for a hug. Elsie tapped his shoulders and detangled herself from him as quickly and politely as possible. They’d never hugged. Not even when he’d left at the end of the summer fifteen years ago.
