Page 77 of Better Daddy
I swallow back my disappointment and say, “Sure, sounds great. See you then.”
After I’ve ended the call, I drop my head against the seat again. Sully is going to be so disappointed.
My phone rings in my hand, and I sit upright, assuming it’s Will again. But when I see my mother’s name on the screen, I silence it. I’ve successfully avoided her calls for months, and I’ve dodged invitations to get together because I’m not ready to let her know about the pregnancy. She didn’t react well when I told her about the divorce, so there’s no way this won’t really bring out her judgmental side.
When the screen goes dark, I unlock the device and call Sully. I might as well break the news now. He’s not going to be happy that I’m canceling, but what else can I do?
A woman should know when she’s being taken on a date. In my opinion, that’s a prerequisite. If a man wants to take a woman out and show her a good time, he’d better make his interest obvious. He’d better reserve the table in the corner of a dimly lit restaurant. He’d better look at her in a way that makes it clear he’s interested.
But none of that should happen when said woman is out to dinner with her boss.
A boss she isn’t dating, at least. I’ve dated the boss before. I married the boss, and I enjoyed the hell out of it for a few years.
But I did not consent to a date with my current boss, and there’s no denying this is a date.
“Do you like the soup?” Will brushes his hand against mine like he’s trying to get my attention.
Newsflash: we’re the only two people in this corner. Who the hell else would Ithinkhe’s talking to?
I pull back at his touch and pick up my water. As I sip, I run through what the hell is happening and what to do about it. “It’s fine. I actually wanted to talk to you about a new case.”
Will smiles. “Tomorrow. Tonight, let’s focus on us.”
My stomach rolls.
Us?
Shit, shit, shit.
See? I knew this was a damn date.
I examine Will, trying to remind myself that he’s my friend. That when my life was spiraling, he offered me a lifeline, a job. At the time, it was what I needed more than anything.
But focusing on that doesn’t temper the annoyance flaring to life inside me. How dare he put me in this awkward position? The audacity of this man.
Or am I the one to blame here? Have I led him on?
I’ve truly never even been attracted to Will. He’s nice enough, and he’s not bad-looking, but no one held a candle to Sully in law school, and to this day, no man has ever caught my attention the way Sully has. Truth be told, my husband has owned me, whether wewere together or not, for almost twenty years, and I can’t imagine that ever changing. Each and every day, he works to be better for me and for T.J. He’s putting in the effort. Because of that, every day it’s harder to remember why we separated in the first place.
“Us?” I say, finally finding my words.
Will grasps my free hand. His palm is slightly moist and the sensation makes my stomach roll. “Yes, us, Sloane. We’ve had no time together since Christmas, and I’d really like to change that. We went almost seven years without contact. It’s been too long.”
The man is delusional. Clearly. I pull back my hand. “Because I had a child and was working mostly on trusts. Of course we didn’t see each other. I was never in court.”
Will leans back in his chair, acting as if he’s readjusting himself rather than recovering after I pulled away. “I know. And I missed you. I’m really glad you’re back in my life.”
A sense of utter bafflement consumes me. “You know I’m pregnant, right?”
After his question about my glucose test, there’s no doubt he does. But with the way this conversation is going, I worry he’s had a personality transplant, so maybe this new version of him isn’t aware.
Will nods. “Yes, and I also know you were unhappy in your marriage, which is why you’re getting divorced.”
The boldness of his statement nearly knocks the wind out of me. “It’s not that simple.”
He frowns, like he’s grappling with what I’m saying. Good. It feels like this is the first time tonight he’s actually listened to me.
When he speaks again, his tone is sincere, once again throwing me for a loop. “I know, but the feelings I had for you during law school and for years after are back with a vengeance. I tried, Sloane. I tried to forget how I felt when you chose Sully back then, but fuck, you have no idea how goddamn irresistible you are. Do you know how many times I saw you in court and wished things were different?” He straightens his jacket and leans forward, his voice going soft. “Sully is an idiot. He fumbled. He fucked up his chance with you.Now you’re here with me, and I’m not going to let the opportunity pass me by. So I’m just asking”—he shakes his head—“no, I’m begging. Please give me a shot.”
