Page 66 of Pitcher Us
“Yeah, some up closer to the Florida-Georgia line. None I’m close with.”
“Oh, yeah? How come?” I ask out loud before even really processing the question. When I really start thinking about what I know about Will, it’s not much.
I know the basics, I guess. But I feel like there are tons of things Will knows about me. Heavy stuff, too. Maybe I’ve just been an oversharer. And if Will’s tense shoulders are any indication, I don’t think I’m about to get much of an answer right now.
“Just not close,” he finally mumbles. We walk a little bit further and I have to bite at my lips the entire time to not ask any more questions.
When we walk up to a small restaurant with these picnic tables out front, I shake off the weirdness with the idea of eating at this cute little spot. But when Will asks for his to-go order, I raise an eyebrow. “Are we not eating here?”
“Hey, there she is. I was half wondering what your next question was going to be and half afraid you were going to bite your lip off.”
I narrow my eyes at him with a scowl, but he just smiles and places a kiss to my brow. “Let’s get to where we’re going, and you can ask me any questions you want, okay?”
“Oh, free reign questioning? Do you even know what you just offered? I get to ask any question? And I have time to think of them?”
“God, you’re going to want me to talk for hours aren’t you?”
I smile eagerly and nod. “I bet a William Anderson ramble is so hot.”
Will rolls his eyes and pulls me closer by my belt loop.
“Here we are!” one of the hostesses says, handing Will a brown bag. “And some of the guys were curious…are you the new pitcher for the Boston Blues?”
I peep around Will and see some of the people at the bar looking at us. Will, however, doesn’t hesitate. “Nope, that’s not me.”
He hooks his arm around my shoulder and leads me away with a kiss to the side of my head.
“Those poor fans must be heartbroken,” I joke, but honestly I’m relieved he shut it down quickly. I do hate that he felt like he had to lie though.
“They’ll get over it. Today I’m not a pitcher anyway.”
I swallow down the lump in my throat. “Oh yeah, what are you?”
“Today, I’m a guy taking his girlfriend out for a date.”
Oh. Goodness, am I a puddle? How am I walking? I feel like I just lost every bone in my body.
Blindly following Will further down the street, we come up on a small little tea shop. When Will walks up, I pull back.
“It says they're closed.” I point out the sign hanging in the window. It’s weird, their lights are on, but there’s not a single customer inside.
“Not for us they’re not,” Will says cooly then knocks on the door.
“Will! We are not?—”
“Mr. Anderson, welcome!” An older woman swings the front door open with a huge smile. She ushers us inside and locks the door behind her.
When I step inside it’s covered in pastel greens and pinks. Gold antiques accent the walls and roses are stenciled throughout. Not to mention there are fresh cut roses everywhere. And in the middle, there’s a table set up with a lace tablecloth and candles.
“This must be Callie.” The woman behind me says, bringing me out of my daze. She holds out her hand for the both of us. “Hi, I’m Rachel, the owner of Rose’s Dream Tea. I’m so happy to have fellow tea lovers here. Is this the food I suggested?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Will hands her the bag and she smiles.
“Perfect, let me get this set up for you guys. Why don’t you have a look around.” Rachel scurries around us, and I spin on my heels to face Will.
“What have you done?” I can’t help but smile already, this seems so elaborate. How did he manage to do all of this?
“I told you, I’m taking my girlfriend out on a date.” He shrugs like it’s no big deal but he’s got that damn smirk on his face. He knows I’m loving this.
