Clay laughed. “Then you go out on a date with him. Thatiswhat you want, after all.”
“Oh yeah, right.” Will sagged against the front desk where he’d been standing. “Thanks, Clay. Sorry to sound so needy, but I really needed to talk to someone about this.”
“No worries, Will. I’ve got your back.”
Will talkedto himself all the way to school that morning, practicing how he was going to ask Tom out on a date as well as how he’d react if Tom said no. He wanted to keep a neutral expression so that Tom wouldn’t know how disappointed he was if he was turned down.
They didn’t have Calculus that day, but a few weeks before, Will had discovered that Tom usually hung out in the library before his morning classes. So that’s where he headed, backpack slung over his shoulder. Sure enough, there was Tom, sitting in one of the carrels near the long expanse of windows on the far wall. Now that he was there, with Tom just across the room, butterflies fluttered in his stomach, and he felt like he might throw up.
Deciding on the direct approach at the last moment, Will sauntered up to him, trying to look calmer than he actually felt. “Hey, Tom,” he whispered, “I’m glad I found you here.”
“Hi, Will,” Tom replied. “Is something wrong? We’re not supposed to meet until tomorrow, right?”
“Nothing’s wrong. I just wanted to ask you something.”
“Sure. What’s up?” Tom asked.
“What time are you off work on Saturday?”
“I should be done by six or so. Why?” Tom queried.
Okay, you can do this. Just relax.Will took a deep breath, wiping his sweaty palms on the legs of his jeans. “If you don’t have any plans, I was wondering if you’d like to have dinner with me?” Will said, praying his nervousness didn’t show.
“Dinner?” Tom seemed confused for a moment, then his eyes lit up. “You mean like a date?”
“Um, well, yeah. A date,” Will stammered. “You know, um, well, if you want, that is.”Crap, I’m babbling! I shouldn’t have done this! He’s gonna say no!
Tom’s smile lit up his face. “Yeah. I’d like that.”
“You would?” Will said, trying to keep the surprise out of his voice. “I mean, that’s great. Okay. How about I pick you up around seven. Is that okay?”
“Seven is perfect. But if for some reason I’m running late, I’ll text you.”
“Okay, cool.” Will nodded. “I’ll let you get back to your studying. See you tomorrow.”
Will turned and left the library, trying not to hoot and holler in excitement.Oh my God, he said yes!When he exited the library, he turned the corner and leaned heavily against the side of the brick building, wrung out from a mixture of worry and excitement.
He pulled out his phone and sent a quick text to Clay.
He said yes!
A few moments later, his phone buzzed in reply.
Great! I know UR not working today, but stop by later & we can chat.
Will hurried off to class with a bounce in his step as his mind swirled. He was going to go on a real date with Tom!
The lobbyof the B and B was quiet when Will arrived. He had texted Clay when he left school, saying he was on his way. Jeffwas sitting behind the reception desk, and he looked up when he heard the door.
“Hey, Will. What’s going on? You’re not scheduled to work today,” Jeff said in greeting.
“Hi, Jeff. No, I’m here to see Clay.”
“He’s upstairs getting ready, but he should be down shortly. Finn’s picking him up in a few minutes.” As Jeff spoke, the door opened once again, and Finn walked in.
“Hey, guys,” he said in greeting.
“Hi, Finn,” they both replied in turn.
