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Luckily Willa was more reasonable than that.

“Let’s get takeout and go back to my condo. I feel like turtling.” Then she frowned. “So much for our first date. I’m so sorry Ev.”

The desk had to go. I rounded it in two quick strides and pulled her into my arms. “Don’t you dare apologize for something that isn’t your fault. Are we together?”

She craned her neck to look up at me, so I loosened my grip a little. Her eyes darted back and forth, trying to read something in mine. Then she smiled. “Yes, we’re together.”

“Then I don’t care when the world knows. You’re all that matters to me.”

She tucked her head and burrowed into my chest with a sigh. “I really liked it when you said you were my boyfriend. It felt good.”

“I really liked it too. Felt like it was about damn time.” And standing there with her in my arms, knowing she was mine to love and protect, I finally knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

19

WILLA

Food from three different restaurants covered my coffee table. We had sushi on the left, greasy burgers and fries in the middle, and calzones on the right.

The sushi was because I really wanted sushi and that was where we’d planned on eating tonight. No way was I missing out on the movie and the food.

The greasy burgers would satisfy my need for comfort.

And the calzones were for old times’ sake. Our favorite place to get late night dinners in college was an Italian joint that had the most delicious calzones.

“You’re sure you want to watch Spaceballs?” Everett held up the remote, ready to hit play.

“It’s what Dad and I watched any time we needed to laugh.” The nostalgia was not only comforting without my dad here, but the asshole jokes were exactly what I needed. “Dad loves this movie.”

“Then Spaceballs it is. You know I’m always up for a Mel Brooks comedy.” He started the movie, adjusted the volume, and then settled in, giving me enough space so I didn’t feel overwhelmed, but close enough that I could melt into him if I wanted to.

This felt…natural. Like the old days but better. “Are we still going to trick Seth in the morning?”

Everett wiped his mouth with a napkin and set aside his burger. “Are we planning our coming out party to avoid talking about your mother?”

Everett had been so kind and gentle with me, but the questions in his eyes were impossible to miss. I appreciated that he wasn’t pressing me, but I wasn’t ready to process my feelings. “You have Seth looking into her. What else is there to say?” Since Everett was staring a hole in my head I put all my focus on selecting the perfect piece of sushi. I ordered my favorite roll and a sashimi platter. Everett ordered his two favorite rolls but told me to eat whatever I wanted. And, quite frankly, his rolls looked irresistible.

The only sound in the room was the rousing music as the movie started. “You want to know one of my favorite memories?” he asked quietly.

I swallowed my bite to keep from tearing up at the gentle emotion laced in his voice. “Yes.”

“Senior year. The Festival of Films. Your dad was late so you let my mom be your escort. I loved how close you two were that weekend. How happy you looked.”

I had never felt more loved and supported by my friends and family. Megan not only stood in until Dad got there, but she fussed over me, making sure I ate when I was nervous, had a quiet place to go to when I got overwhelmed, and hugged me hard when my documentary about the college baseball team—aka Everett and Seth’s team—won.

“That’s a really nice memory.” One that I usually loved but tonight made me twitch.

“It’s also one of my saddest.”

I froze. “And why is that?”

He slid his hand over mine. “Looking back, I was so happy because everything felt right. Seth and I had been drafted, you were winning awards and chasing your dreams, we were all there together that night with our worlds colliding, and I knew, Willa. I knew. Something clicked into place. You belonged with me. Why did it take me so long to believe it?”

So many years apart. Would we have been good together back then? We’d never know for sure, but I wanted to believe it didn’t matter if we were younger and living separate lives.

We both had regrets.

Sending my mother away wasn’t one of mine. “You want to talk about moms? Fine. I loved having your mom there that night. I loved the attention. I believed I was part of your family. Until I came to the island to check on you and she made it very clear you’re her first priority.” Everett winced, which was what I wanted. I was in pain so he should be too. “My mother isn’t a mother. She’s an opportunist. I came to terms with that a long time ago. If she’s here, it’s because she sees an opportunity. Maybe she’s hoping to get in front of my cameras. Maybe she wants to be associated with my name. I don’t know exactly what her angle is, but there is one. I’m mad that she hasn’t changed. I’m mad that she still sees me as a pawn instead of loving me. I’m mad, Everett. I’m so fucking mad.” In the background a Winnebago flew through space and a princess ran away from her wedding, but I didn’t pay any attention to the movie. The best laughs came later anyway.