My stool spins to face him and strong hands wrap under my ass as he lifts me into his body, and I assume the regular position around him.
“I love you, Drew,” he reaffirms. “So fucking much. Maybe it’s too soon for you to say it back, but when I jumped on my laptop this morning and accepted the post from Repeet, I figured it was time for me to tell you exactly what I’d been feeling for so damn long.”
With our foreheads pressed together and my food likely ruined, I couldn’t be happier.
“When I get into work, I’m going to tell Colton about us.”
Will’s face is full of shock. “Are you sure?”
I nod. “I’ve never been so certain of anything in my life. It’s time we came out and stopped dicking around.”
His lips are back on mine, and, God, I could do this every day for the rest of my life.
“Your dad knows how I feel about you.”
I balk at him. Strangely, the only emotions I feel are relief and hope. Relief that Will is still alive despite my dad finding out. Hope that maybe we’ll be accepted by our families or at least taken seriously as a couple.
“When?”
Guilt flashes in his eyes. “Only since yesterday. Initially, he went crazy at me, but then I told him to go ahead and bench me because I wasn’t going to stop seeing you.”
It feels like he’s looking into my soul when he speaks again. “I also told your dad that I wouldn’t let anything bad happen to you or your career. If you want me to be there when you speak to Colton today, then just say the word. I’ll stand up in that stark-as-fuck boardroom and tell him that you’re my girl and the best damn publicist in the world. I’ll tell him that, one day, you will be wearing my ring.”
Speechless. I’m utterly speechless.
“You are so your dad’s son,” I tease.
“I’m all Jones, Baby, and it’s only a matter of time before you are too.” Will starts walking us back to his bedroom, kicking the door shut behind him and tossing me onto the mattress.
I squeal and catch his face in my hands when he flops down on top of me.
“Fuck breakfast.” Our lips crash together. “I need to consummate you being officially mine.”
33
. . .
Drew
Ithought my appetite was impressive.
It has nothing on Vesper’s.
As I sit opposite her in an Italian restaurant, she nails another slice of garlic bread and washes it down with a gulp of red wine.
“What?” she asks, eyes dropping to my full plate of food. “I thought you liked it here. The cannelloni is excellent.”
She goes in for a green olive next. “And if you haven’t already worked it out, I eat when I’m stressed, and I’m really stressed out right now.”
We’ve been eating and talking about general shit for at least a half hour. I didn’t want to press Vesper about Kane before this moment, but it feels like she’s cracked the door for me to ask more.
Picking up my soda, I think through the best way to approach the subject of her ex. Mom and Dad have always encouraged Marley and me to trust our gut when it comes to people. If we get even the slightest hint that someone might be in danger, we cannot ignore it.
“I need to ask if you feel unsafe around Kane or intimidated in any way at all.” I think back to his repeated calls during ourshort phone conversation yesterday. “Calling you multiple times in the space of a few minutes isn’t normal. It’s neurotic.”
Vesper stops chewing and swallows her mouthful, sitting back in her seat as she observes me. Aside from a couple of other tables, it’s quiet in the small restaurant tonight, and I wonder if she’s going to give me a tiny glance into her past.
My friend looks off to the side before setting her palms on the green tablecloth. She looks classically Vesper tonight in a maroon sweater dress and knee-high black leather boots. Her hair is styled in a similar way to mine—straight and sleek.
