Page 66 of Handle with Care
Chapter Twenty-Five
It turns out Will is having an existential crisis, which I dive into for deep analysis when I’m back home after the pub. In my room, I crash onto the bed and scroll through my latest messages.
Does keeping our dating secret from work also mean keeping it secret from my family too? x
Will texts. Full punctuation, everything. Like a maniac.
I respond in kind. In fact, I take things to the next level because I’m mature like that.
According to my rulebook, the Dylan Guide to Dating, this doesn’t fall into a fake dating situation, so you’re good to go. Paragraph 3, sub clause b. It’s authentic dating, away from our place of employment. Secrets need not apply
You have a guidebook?
3rd unabridged edition. Who doesn’t?
There’s a long pause. I can imagine Will’s irresistible brow furrows as he tries to figure out if I’m serious or joking. He should know better by now than to wonder. My brand is nothing if not consistent.
Then I take pity on him in the growing pause.
Of course say whatever you want about me to your family
I feel like after a third date, I should confess. Gray’s been worried I’m off the radar.
I’d hate for him to think I’ve stolen you
I suppose I’m wondering if you want a fourth date. I’ve actually lost count of our dates.
Things got blurry after date three, call everything from last Friday one long date. You want a fourth date?
Then I hesitate, unsure whether to remind him I’m leaving soon. Technically, this is poking the bear. But hopefully if I dangle the offer like a carrot he’ll go for it. I mean, meeting his brother isn’t the sort of behavior of someone who wants to end things, logically speaking. It’s anti-break-up, though again, we can’t break up if we’re not officially going out.
What do you want to happen?
There’s what I want and then there’s what’s reasonable.
I should have known better than to expect him to let go of his internal struggle so easily. Maybe Gray can talk some sense into him, into at least enjoying the moment, even if it has to end sooner rather than later. May as well have fun if it’s on offer. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that life is short.
I’m all ears
I want you, Dylan. X
I gulp.
I want you too but you know and I know that I’ll be leaving. You’ve said before you don’t want to get hurt. I don’t want to mess you around but I also think you deserve some fun too
I think either way when you leave it’s going to hurt. The truth is I want to be greedy and see you for a fourth date. Maybe you can meet Gray properly? Like drinks on Friday night.
Cue intrigue. What’s he said about me to his brother?
Sounds cool to me if it works for you. I’m totally up for it
It does.
Then we have a plan
After we exchange more details on the plan, I flop back in my bed, curious to know more about Will. The problem is the more I know, the more I want him. Which is going to make the end all the harder.
Lily’s divide-and-conquer strategy is intense.
