Page 136 of There's No Us Without You
Benny grunts and uses his hand to clean himself up. “That’s because you’re a washed-up old bastard who can’t mind his own damn business. Leave the poor kids alone.” Benny lifts his chin our way. “Just ignore him. I do.” He throws back the rest of his beer before placing the glass back on the bar. “Come on, Merve. Let’s leave the two love birds to enjoy lunch without looking at your ugly head.” He nods to Will. “See you again tomorrow, son.”
“I’ll be here,” Will says, giving Benny a small nod.
Merve stands and tucks in his shirt. “Make sure he uses his manners,” he says to me, while pointing at Will. “Or I’ll be happy to take his place.”
My face warms from the kind gesture. I’d be happy to listen to Merve’s stories; I’m sure he has plenty to tell.
My dad would have liked him, I think.
Will dips his chin. “Later, old man.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Merve trails behind Benny, barely lifting his slippered feet until they disappear through the front door.
I rest my chin on my hand as I grin at the confusing man beside me. He’s not giving off the same vibes he did the other night, so I’m pushing my luck here.
This is a side of him I’ve never seen before, and I find myself even more intrigued by what he keeps hidden.
“What?” He eyes me, pausing with a fork halfway to the plastic container in front of him.
“Nothing.” I shake my head.
“Then why are you smiling at me like that?”
“You love them,” I say.
Will scoffs and continues to pile food onto the plates. “I don’t, trust me. They annoy me more than anything.”
I eye him a little longer, giving him a look that says I don’t believe him.
All I get is a shake of his head before he shoves a plate at me, piled with food. “Eat.” He nods to the plate. “Then talk.”
“Yes, sir.” I roll my eyes and pick up my fork to dig into the Thai green curry and rice I made earlier.
It’s a little spicier than I normally like, but the flavours are there. I just hope Will likes it. I’m kind of betting my life on it.
Will’s entire body tenses, the fork in his hand almost bending under the pressure. “On second thought, start talking.” His voice is strained, leaving me wondering what the hell just happened.
I clear my throat and place my fork next to my plate. “Right.” I rub my shaking hands on my pants before going into detail about the deal I made for the restaurant, how I came about making the bet, and my growing feelings for Emerson. I leave out the way he makes me feel, not wanting to add any more complications until I know where I stand with him.
When I finish, Will has demolished two plates of food, and is now sitting on the stool next to me with his arms crossed, eyes darting over my face.
He hasn’t said a word since I started talking, only giving me a grunt or a raised eyebrow every now and again.
“So,” I say, reaching into the bag sitting to the left of me. I pull out a container of vanilla custard and hold it out to him. “Do you forgive me?”
Please say yes.
A growl erupts from Will’s chest, then he sighs and snatches the container from me. “Fine. But you better not make me regret it.”
I clap my hands and grin at the grumpy man in front of me. “I won’t. Promise.”
THIRTY-NINE
Eden
I’m scrubbingmy body in the shower after arriving home with Will tonight. The overwhelming smell of garlic and onion had seeped into my skin, and I couldn’t wait to wash it off.
The three of us are supposed to be watching a movie tonight, and all I can think about is the two men taking up all my brainpower. It’s the first time we’ll all be in the same room since what went down. I’m also unsure if Will knows about Emerson and me.
