Page 135 of There's No Us Without You
Well, I wouldn’t put it like that, but yes—I guess I’m resorting to bribery now. But for good reason. I know I need to face the consequences of lying to someone I truly care about.
“I kind of need a favour,” I say.
Will raises an eyebrow. “Do you really think you’re in a position to ask for favours at the moment?”
God, he’s not going to make this easy for me, is he?
“It’s not like that,” I say, twisting my hands in front of me. “I just want you to listen to me.”
Will sighs, but says nothing else, just scrutinises my face, likely to sense if I’m lying.
“You could just say thank you,” the balding man says, pulling Will’s attention from me. “If a pretty girl brought me lunch, that’s the least I could do.” He glares at Will as he takes a sip of his beer, like he’s daring him to argue.
“Mind your business, Merve,” Will says, before focusing on me once again. “And thank you, Eden. I appreciate the gesture.”
Why is he being so formal with me? This isn’t what I want. I guess I don’t really have any other option though, do I? When I hurt the man he loves, I also hurt him.
“No problem. Does that mean you forgive me?”
Will narrows his eyes, sucking in his cheeks and breathing heavy out his nose. “Depends on what it is you have to tell me.”
“Just forgive her, Will, for god’s sake,” Merve says, coming up beside me to peek inside the bags. “So, what have we got here?” He raises a thick greying eyebrow. “You made all this?”
I nod, smiling at the cute old man. “Sure did. I work in a restaurant.”
“Lucky sonofabitch,” he says. “You should marry this one.” He pats Will on the shoulder before going back to his friend.
Will’s eyes dart to mine for a second, the tops of his ears reddening, before he clears his throat. “Have you eaten?” he says, pulling the plastic containers from the bags.
“Not yet. I was hoping we could eat together. You listen, while I talk?” I lift a shoulder and chew on my bottom lip as I wait for Will to agree.
Merve clears his throat, his way of prompting Will to say something.
“Look away, Merve.” Will makes a circular motion with his hand, while shaking his head. “Jesus Christ,” he says under his breath. “Those two will be the death of me.”
Merve huffs. “He’d love to have lunch with you, dear.”
“I can speak for myself.” Merve cops the full extent of Will’s darkening glare. “Why can’t you keep quiet like Benny?”
“Don’t trash talk me, boy. You should have respect for your elders.”
I snort, but cover my mouth when Will shoots me a look that says I should stay out of this.
“No can do, old man.” Leaning over the front of the bar, Will grabs two white ceramic plates and two forks from the shelf underneath it. “This is my bar. My rules.” The smile on his face almost takes my breath away.
It’s the first time I’ve seen him smile where he’s showing all his straight white teeth.
And wow.
There are no words for how beautiful he is. For a moment I’m mesmerised by him, the way he banters with the old men as though they are lifelong friends.
It’s the same way he plays with Em and Carter. Even Tyler.
Merve waves him off with an eye roll and a shake of his head before slapping Benny on the back and mumbling something aboutkids these days.
“Sorry about him,” Will says loud enough so Merve can hear. “He seems to forget his place sometimes.”
“I can hear you, you little shit.” Merve nudges Benny, making him spill his beer down the front of his red polo shirt. “Will here is giving me grief. Are you going to say something?”
