Page 16 of A Certain Step
She needed a drink, or three, maybe four. She needed to stop thinking of him as anything more than her best friend. She had to stick to her beliefs and remember that he was an actor at the end of the day. And she’d sworn to herself that she’d never date one because she wanted a partner whose life would be a bit more stable than hers. Someone who would balance her chaotic career.
The bar was noisierthan usual and more packed, too, which was odd with no game on an arbitrary Tuesday. And, in an unsurprising turn of events, her feelings wouldn’t let her be.
Coming here was a bad idea. Three gin and tonics were a bad idea, while the fourth sitting in front of her, which was now tempting her with its invisible crystal claws, was shaping up to be another.
Willa was indebted to her dad’s genes and the ability to hold her liquor but not so grateful for her mother’s sensitive nature.
She averted her eyes toward the wooden pole where Miles stood, hitting it off with the guy who’d been gazing at him all night before Willa and Christian made him walk over to start a conversation. She felt herself growing a bit envious over the possibility that they’d probably go home together, spend a delightfully solid night rolling around in sheets, and then maybe tomorrow they’d get coffee together. Maybe coffee would turn into dinner when they were free, and dinner would turn into late nights curled up on the sofa.
Another happily ever after unfolding in front of her while she pined like an utter buffoon over her best friend. She felt icky and selfish and sad. Miles deserved every bit of happiness in the world. She was thrilled for him, wholeheartedly wanting this to work out even if her emotions were all over the place.
The night turned sour so quickly, too, as she sat in a swarming bar where they were supposed to be comforting Sahar instead of watching the prince of pricks intrude and beg for her forgiveness.
She should’ve just left when Sam and Priya did. There was no need for her to be here anymore.Ugh, but she also didn’t want to abandon Sahar until she was certain she would be going home with the prick.
Christian poked her hand resting on the table. “Penny for your thoughts.”
Willa sighed, speaking before her brain could counter against sharing some of her more personal thoughts. “Why is everyone paired up? Have you noticed it? I’m quite literally the only single person in the cast.”
He pouted apologetically. “You and Ethan, actually. But also, does it make you feel any better that my fiancé is in LA and won’t be back for another ten months because of his schedule?”
She placed the glass in front of her mouth and sipped. She hated feeling this way. “No, because you still get to talk to him every night. Gah, I’m sorry for sounding like such a whiny little shit. I’m just sad. I shouldn’t have drunk this much.”
She pushed the glass away from her. She and alcohol should only mingle when her headspace was kinder.
“You’re good, Wills. I’ve been there, too. Before Dan, I was the only single person in every friend group for three years. It made me so damn cranky, and I was thoroughly convinced I was cursed to be alone forever.”
Christian’s empathy was genuine. At the very least, it was apparent that he didn’t think she was a horrible person for her feelings.
“Dan’s an absolute peach. You two are perfect together.” She pointed toward Miles. “And those two are too hot for words, so we’ve got to make sure it works out.”
Christian smiled with understanding.
Willa sighed. “I need to get home. I’m going to see if Sahar will come. If not, would you wait outside with me while I get a lift?”
“I’ll head out with you,” he answered.
Willa stood up and veered through a crowd of rowdy college students to get to the corner where Sahar stood with the prick. She stepped right in between them, not caring a lick about his feelings, and placed her hands on Sahar’s shoulders. “Are you going to stay with him? I don’t think I can hang anymore. Plus, wehave an early morning tomorrow,” she whispered.
Sahar concurred. “No, I’ll come with you. Give me two minutes.”
“I’ll be waiting outside with Christian.”
She turned away and moved toward Miles, debating whether to cut in on their conversation to say bye. Instead, he caught her nearness and pulled her in for a side hug.
“Heading out?” he asked.
She bobbed her head and smiled amiably at the man whose name she still didn’t know. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” she declared. “Goodnight, you two.”
“Get home safe, Wills,” Miles added.
She stepped outside to where Christian stood, his hands tucked in his pockets. “Is our girl coming?”
Willa nodded and shivered slightly. The late winter night pierced with a subtle blow. “Said she’d be out in two minutes.”
They stood there for a beat, neither saying a thing before Sahar finally met them—two minutes on the dot. “Sorry…about all of it,” she said.
“All good. What’d the prick want?” Willa inquired.
