Page 15 of Big Red

I look between both women, and the look of confidence in their eyes makes me nod my head.

“Great. Now we need to discuss who you will live with while?—”

“Cara! How is it that you’re a tech goddess but can’t answer your phone,” an all-too-familiar voice says from up the hall.

My gaze snaps to the open doorway, and I can’t even process what I see. I don’t believe it. At first, I think maybe one of the blows I took has me hallucinating, but then he’s right there in front of me, staring at me with matching wide eyes.

“My phone is dead. What did you… need?” Cara trails off as she looks in between the two of us. Her head snaps back and forth, not understanding what is happening.

“Will?” I whisper.

“Oh my God! Alice!” he cries and rushes to the bed. He pulls me into a hug that makes me gasp. He releases me immediately and looks down in worry.

“What’s wrong? What happened? Why are you here?” he rambles.

“Will, slow down,” Sara says. “How do you two know each other?”

“He was my best friend.”

“Is,” Will corrects. My mouth drops open, and Will laughs. “Just because that asshole made you cut me off doesn’t mean I stopped being your best friend. I told you when we were eleven, under that huge willow tree, and we pinky promised to be eachother’s best friend, that it was for life. I meant it. Now tell me, what’s going on?”

I smile up at Will through my tears. I can’t believe he doesn’t hate me. I was so hurt when Declan forced me to end my friendships with Will and Oscar. And now, after all this time, it looks like I’m going to get my best friend back.

I’m starting to think none of this is a coincidence.

Cara and Sara were meant to find me in that parking lot.

It made everything come full circle.

I tell Will everything that has happened. By the time I’m finished, his cheeks are red, and he looks as if he’s about to snap.

“You should have broken both arms,” he tells Cara.

Cara snorts. “I’ll remember that for next time,” she says sarcastically.

“Just make sure I’m there. I would love to see that asshole get what’s coming to him,” he grits out.

As much as I know Will thinks he looks super scary with the scowl he has on his face, he doesn’t. Will’s soft features make him look younger than he really is. I always told him he was the prettiest man alive. When he’s angry, he looks like a ticked-off Care Bear.

“I’ll send you the CCTV if that’ll make you feel better.”

Will claps his hands, bouncing on his feet. “Yes! That would definitely make me feel better.”

I giggle, and Will smiles down at me. “You haven’t changed a bit,” I tell him.

“And I never will,” he sasses with a wink.

“I’m pretty sure I don’t even have to ask, but I’m guessing you would like to stay with Will while you’re here?” Sara asks me.

“You live here?” I ask Will. When he nods, my jaw hits the floor, but I still nod.

“Great. That’s handled. Sara, can I borrow your phone?” Sara hands Cara her phone, and she types something and hands it back. About a minute later, Red is standing in the doorway.

His eyes are on only me. I feel like my skin is on fire from his heated gaze. Usually, I would get uncomfortable having someone stare at me like this, but I want his eyes to be on me. I want his attention.

It’s the last thing I need to focus on, but I’m learning this isn’t an easily fought battle.

For some reason, I’m drawn to this man, and I feel the intense connection is only going to get stronger the longer I’m here.

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