Page 50 of If You Need Me

“Are you kidding?” Georgie opens the book and caresses the page with the author’s signature. “Oh my goodness! How?” Her mouth is agape, her eyes welling. “I can’t even…” She shakes her head. “I was supposed to see her speak at a convention two years ago, but something came up and I couldn’t make it. I thought I’d be able to attend another event and get a book signed. But then she passed and…” Her hand goes to her heart. “She is my favorite author, rest her beautiful, intelligent soul. Her studies on pollinators and saving the bees have inspired me so much.” She sets the book on the couch and rushes across the room.

I untangle myself from Willy again—she automatically slung her legs over mine when I sat back down—and wrap my arms around Georgie, accepting another hug.

“Thank you. You’re just so thoughtful. Hemi is so lucky.”

“I’m the lucky one.” I pat her back.

“I had nothing to do with these gifts. This was one-hundred-percent Dallas,” Willy declares. I can see every single question on her face.

“With or without your help, these gifts are lovely. And they will absolutely be cherished,” Georgie assures me.

My dumb-luck gifts seem to soften up Sam and Isaac a little. Isaac is some sort of CEO, billionaire guy. From what I glean, he basically owns half the world because he started an online business that millions of people use every day. I have no idea what Sam does, but I would not be surprised to find out he disappears people, either for fun or for his job. He’s intense.

The ensuing conversation is loud. Willy’s brothers talk over each other, her moms interrupt them constantly when they think they’re saying something inaccurate, and Willy sits back and listens, occasionally giving her two cents.

In a handful of hours, I understand better why she is the way she is. Here, when she’s surrounded by her family, she’s thequiet one. But when she’s in the Terror office, she’s a different woman. She’s the one people listen to; she gives the orders and tells us how things are. She’s the glue for our team. She grounds us and reminds us to be humble and use our advantages for good.

I was already hopelessly in love with Wills, but seeing this side of her, how hard she and her family love each other, elevates those feelings to a whole new level. She has so much love to give. She’ll make a great partner and a patient, determined mom—if that’s what she wants.

“What?” She nudges me with her elbow.

I arch a brow. “Eh?”

She arches one back. “You’re staring.”

“Just admiring the view.” She wouldn’t believe the truth.

Eventually, we move to the kitchen. Like everything with the Reddi-Grinst clan, preparing dinner is a loud, boisterous affair. Georgie barks orders, and we all follow them. I mostly try to be helpful and stay out of the way.

At the end of dinner, I still have no idea what Sam does for a living, but I’ve heard a million stories about Willy’s childhood. Her family is intense, and I feel like I’ve spent the evening with fifty people instead of five.

After dinner, I clear the table and help load the dishwasher, while Sandy and Georgie prepare dessert.

Willy gets started on the pots and pans while Isaac takes a call and Sam follows orders from his moms. I step up beside Wills, fingers grazing her lower back. “Why don’t you let me handle the dishes? That way you don’t ruin your pretty nails.”

“It’s okay. I’m getting them done early next week anyway.” She blows a wayward strand of hair out of her face, but it sticks to her glossed lips. She puffs out another gust of air, trying to free it, but it doesn’t work. She tries again with the back of her wrist but her hands are sudsy.

“Let me help you.”

She turns toward me, lips pursed.

I use my sleeve to wipe the suds away, then free the hairs from her lip.

Her fingers graze the back of mine. The diamond catches the light, and I capture her hand. “I can’t stop thinking about last night.” I kiss her knuckle.

Her breath catches. I can’t read her expression, but her lips part as her eyes find mine.

“You gonna let me take care of you again?” I trail the fingers of my free hand down her side.

“Dessert is ready!” her brother calls from the dining room.

“Maybe. If you can be a good boy.” Willy gives me a sultry smile as she steps around me.

I would do just about anything to earn that privilege. I follow her back to the dining room, where everyone else is already congregated. They stopped by an Indian market on their way over to pick up Sandy’s favorite sweet, burfi. Her mom used to make it for her on special occasions growing up.

Once again, the conversation is loud and boisterous, filled with laughter and good-natured ribbing. When dessert is over, her brothers get ready to head back to Isaac’s condo. It’s in one of the exclusive high-rise buildings overlooking Lake Ontario. Last I heard, the penthouses were going for eleven million because of the view and the amenities.

“Why don’t you stay there instead of here?” I ask as her family stands near the door, putting on shoes, making sure everyone has their phones and purses, and that her moms have their gifts.

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