Page 72 of Can't Take My Eyes Off You

‘Youranto get here?’

He nods. ‘Are you alright?’

My God. He sprinted to get to me when he knew I wasn’t OK. That is probably the absolute nicest thing he’s ever done for me. I slide my arms around his sides to his back and press my face into his shoulder. He seems almost surprised by this but doesn’t hesitate to hold me close.

‘Thank you,’ I say, desperately trying not to cry. Only this time I mean it and I’m unsure what I’m crying over. The fact that Will finally stood up and fought for me? Or am I overly embarrassed by what just happened? Maybe both?

‘Why would he do that? How doesn’t he know me at all? Why am I so terrible at relationships?’ I rattle off the questions I know he has no answers for. ‘Idon’tlove him,’ I say, under my breath, unsure I want Will to hear the words but needing to say them to someone. ‘I could never fall in love with him because I can’t everunlove you.’

‘I know,’ he says, matching my tone, holding me tightly. ‘Why do you think I’m standing here right now?’

How can he somehow make me feel like everything will be alright when I’m in this position at allbecauseof him? I should be getting the opposite feeling from him.

‘Why are you doing all this? Rehab? Singing? Staying the night and never trying to seduce me? Making me breakfast? Buying me gifts? Running three blocks to save me?’

He steps away from me, a shy smile on his face. ‘Because you’re still my one, Berkley. I’ll do anything to get back what we had.’

My heart slows as he says the words I’m sure he said last night, but tequila was making everything seem way less serious than it probably was. Itfeelsserious now. Droplets of water hit my bare shoulders. It’s nearly eighty degrees today and now it’s going to pour down in a summer shower.

Will looks up, raindrops splattering on the lenses of his glasses. He raises a hand over his face. ‘Can we hit pause on this?’ he asks. ‘I’m staying at Hotel Deluxe; it’s fancy. Want to come over before we get soaked?’ One flash of his smile and I can’t say no.

‘Yeah.’

He extends his hand. ‘I don’texpectanything, just trying to help you escape an embarrassing situation and get us out of the rain.’

I take his hand shyly, like it’s the first time I’ve ever held it. ‘Why are you staying in a hotel?’ I meant to ask him this earlier but Alex texting me interrupted.

‘For three months, I’ve been in what you would call a “rich boy” rehab center in California. I had no place to go when I got back, and I didn’t want to just assume you’d want me back.’

‘What about your parents’ place?’

‘That’s no longer an option.’

‘Why?’

‘I don’t need them anymore so I gave it all up.’ He glances over at me. ‘For us.’

‘All?’

He nods.

‘Prince Willy!’ someone across the street yells and instinctively he lifts a single fist into the air, rolling his eyes.

‘That’s not going away anytime soon, and I’m sorry.’

26

WILL

We’re back at my hotel. Berkley is on her phone, explaining why she ran out to Olivia, who’s not taking it lightly from the way it sounds, when my phone rings.

Lloyd. Shit. I forgot about this.

‘Hey, Lloyd. How’d it go?’ I walk from the suite’s sitting room into the bedroom.

‘Youmightwant to sit down,’ he suggests.

‘Bad?’

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