Page 54 of Reply All
I hesitate for a moment. “Me? I—I meant someone you like. Someone you could potentially see as a girlfriend or something.”
“I told you—I don’t date. And there’s no way I’m taking some random dating app girl to a family function. That’s just an invitation for drama. I’d rather take you.”
“I… Sure. If you want me to go, I mean. I definitely owe you. And I guess I can distract you. Keep you entertained. Field off any unwanted questions about your dating life or work or whatever. It’ll be my way of repaying you for coming to my rescue twice this week. Honestly, I don’t know how I would’ve survived.”
“Bridge. You don’t have to come with me over some sense of obligation. Seriously, I’m here because I want to be.”
I smile. “And I know that.”
“I’m inviting you because I want you there.”
“But also because you need a buffer.”
He laughs once. “Sure, Bridge. Whatever you say.”
“It’s just for the day, right? I don’t need to find a cat sitter for Ginger?”
“Just for the day. But… if you’re going to come—” he stops himself. Swallows once. Shakes his head.
“What?”
Will takes a deep breath and stares straight in my eyes. “Come because you want to, too. Not just because I asked.”
I bite down on my bottom lip to keep from smiling too hard. “I want to.”
“Good.” He lets go of my hand and orders the check.
WILL
It’s exactly the way he imagined taking her home to meet his mother for the first time.
Except that it isn’t.
She isn’t his, even though he is certainly hers, and he still hasn’t told her the truth about it all, even though he traced his apology on her skin with his fingertips.
Will has definitely started to fall for her, and while he isn’t able to give her every piece of himself like he wants to, he can give her this. All he has to do is make sure she never finds out the truth. All he has to do is make sure no one blows his cover.
He can’t risk losing Bridget over a dumb misunderstanding that has spiraled into something massive. She said it herself: she has a hard time accepting white lies. How is she going to feel when she finds out the truth?
Will shudders at the thought.
19
TRYING TOO HARD, MAYBE?
“Ihave nothing to wear!” I wail, pulling every single item from my closet one by one, inspecting it, and deeming it not good enough for today. I mean, whatdoesone wear to a birthday party of the man you’re secretly in love with’s mom? A flowy dress? Casual jeans? Heels? Flat boots?
God.
Will
I’m about 5 minutes away from your place.
Bridget
5 MINUTES?!?! You cannot do this to me, Will. I need at least 10 more minutes
Will
