He nods and heads for the door. I watch him walk away, trying very hardnotto stare at the shape of his legs straining against the fabric of his pants.
He pauses. “Even if she leaves, Josie, it doesn’t mean she’ll stop being your best friend.”
“I want to believe that,” I respond, my voice full of a vulnerability I wish was better disguised. “But given my shoddy history with friendships, it’s hard not to worry.”
Will gives me one last thoughtful look before he disappears, closing the door behind him.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Will:She seems fine
Josie:Fine how?
Will:Fine like I wouldn’t have questioned a thing if you hadn’t said something
Josie:what are you guys talking about
Will:the price of tea in china
Josie:haha no but for real
Will:instead of micromanaging how about you read my research? I worked very hard on that packet for you, Josephine
Josie:well, you did promise to work harder for me than you’ve ever worked on anything before
Josie:sorry, that sounded flirty
Josie:or maybe I made that up in my head and now I’ve just embarrassed myself
Will:read the research
That afternoon, the three of us head over to South Congress to check out Revenant’s first storefront. We’re still searching for a replacement for Margaret (whom Cami ended up letting go after the pop-up, with a generous severance package), but once that person is hired, they’ll be in charge of this place.
I didn’t invite Will, which means Cami had to have done so. We grab lunch at Torchy’s Tacos beforehand.
“Where do you live?” Cami asks Will.
“A loft in Tribeca,” he answers, sipping on his soda between bites. “It’s not far from the Ellis office. I’ve lived there for almost five years. I love that apartment.”
“What’s your favorite thing about Manhattan?” she asks next.
“The food,” Will answers quickly. “Trying new restaurants. But the food scene in Austin is great, too.”
“You and David really would get along splendidly,” Cami says.
Will’s eyes flash to mine. I’ve been watching him nonstop this entire meal, but I finally glance away.
The harmony of his presence here is so easy, so natural, it’s borderline alarming. Possibly because the Will Grant I used to know didn’t talk easily with anyone, not even his sister or his dad, and definitely not me. ButthisWill has the flow of a river current as he eases himself into our day.
The building we’re renting for the store is in the middle stretch of the South Congress shopping district. Out front, the Revenant sign has already been hung up along with decals on the window that readComing Soon!
“Iloveit,” Cami says, hands over her heart. We’re standing on the opposite sidewalk, admiring the sign before a walk-through. She turns to me, her eyes wide. “Can you believe it, J? I know this store is small potatoes compared to the online business, but it just feels really—”
“Special,” I finish. Over her shoulder, I can see Will watchingme. “I know what you mean. Five years ago, I’d just accepted that I couldn’t keep up with orders anymore and hired my first manufacturer.”
“Sixyears ago,” she says, “I quit my first big-girl job at Whole Foods to become your marketing director.”
“A position you made up,” I clarify.
