WMIS 03 Play With Me (26 page)

“I
have to be at the training center at six,” he frowns and pulls the covers back
on the bed, grabs the remote for the small TV mounted to the wall, and we climb
into the soft bed, snuggle up together, and watch a bad action movie from the
90’s.

“Thank
you,” I whisper without looking at him.

“For
what?”

“You
know.” I tighten my arms around his waist and drop a kiss on his chest. “Just
thank you.”

He
sighs and kisses the top of my head.

Chapter Twenty

It’s
been two days since we fought in the rain. Since the best damn car sex of my
life. Since Will practically begged me to give him the words he needs to hear
and I couldn’t.

I
wonder how long he’ll wait before he decides I’m not worth his time and he cuts
out. I hope I can give him the words he wants before that happens.

I
sit across from him in a little diner in North Seattle known for their
twelve-egg omelets. Even Will can’t eat that much at once, but he’s decimating
the six-egg version, which makes me slightly queasy just to watch.

The
man can eat.

“You
look beautiful today.” He smiles softly at me, and I grin back. I’m just in my
usual; a loose t-shirt and jeans, hair down around my face.

“Thank
you.” I let my eyes travel over his dark blonde hair, startling blue eyes, blue
t-shirt and strong arms. “So do you.”

I
take a bite of a waffle and sigh. “I love the food here.”

“I
know, it’s awesome. You have to draw a picture for the wall.” He points at the
artwork with his fork and I giggle as I look around. There are hundreds of
drawings done in crayon covering the walls, some really good, some just plain
funny.

“Why
don’t you do a drawing?” I ask.

“I
did. It’s up there somewhere.”

“Excuse
me, aren’t you Will Montgomery?” Two young girls are standing at the end of our
booth, grinning, twirling their hair. They’re young and cute and flirty and I
can’t help but roll my eyes.

“I
am,” he replies with a sigh and looks over to me, begging me with his eyes to
not get mad. I just shrug and smile.

He
can’t help that he’s a super-hot football star.

“Wow,
can we get your autograph?”

“Yeah,
and maybe your photo? We’re big fans,” the other one adds and they giggle.

“I’m
sorry, I’m having lunch with my girlfriend. I’d really appreciate it if you’d
just respect our privacy.”

They
stop and frown down at him, but he holds their gaze firmly.

Holy
shit!
This is new.

They
both look at me for the first time, then back at Will.

“We
saw in the paper that you had a new girlfriend, but we thought they were lying because
you never have girlfriends.”

Will
smiles coldly, and I can hear his inner dialogue.
You don’t know anything
about me.

“I
do have a girlfriend, and I’m enjoying her company. Have a good day.” He turns
back to me, effectively cutting off anything they were about to say when the
waitress comes over with a carafe of coffee.

“You
heard the man. Either sit at a table and place an order or leave.” She scowls
at the girls as they leave the diner. “Sorry about that. They slipped by me.”

“No
worries.” Will smiles up at her as she refills our coffee.

“That
surprised me.”

“Why?”
he asks me and takes a sip of coffee.

“You
usually like being the center of attention.” I shrug and push my mostly empty
plate away.

“Not
always,” he shakes his head. “As long as I’m your center of attention, I’m
good.”

“Needy
much?” I ask sarcastically and laugh when he pins me with a glare.

“I
am not needy.”

“Okay.”
I sit back and grin at him.

“I’m
not.”

“I
just agreed with you.”

“Uh
huh.” He takes another sip of coffee and takes my hand in his, running his
thumb across my knuckles. “What do you have going on today?”

“I
have to work the swing shift tonight,” I reply and check my watch. “You?”

“I
have to go to the training center to watch some film this afternoon.”

“Did
you train this morning?” I ask.

“Yeah,
early this morning.”

“I
slept through it.” I smile over at him and he shakes his head, his eyes happy.

“So
lazy.”

“How
do you get up so early?”

“I’m
used to it. Been doing it for years.” He shrugs and examines my hands. “You
have tiny hands.”

“I’m
a girl. They’re supposed to be small.”

He
kisses my knuckles softly and then pulls something out of his back pocket. “I
need to talk to you about this.”

“What?”

“I’ve
been invited to a charity ball thing. It’s formal, and I usually don’t go, but
I thought that you might like to go to this one.” He shifts uncomfortably, and
looks almost nervous, piquing my interest.

“What’s
the charity?”

“Seattle
Children’s,” he replies, his eyes on mine.

A
slow smile spreads across my face. He wants to take me to a formal ball in
honor of what I’m passionate about. Because he knows what it means to me.

Because
he loves me.

“Will,
this would be amazing.”

He
smiles and looks down at the silver embossed invitation and then passes it over
to me.

“It’s
next weekend?” I ask in a panic.
Shit! I don’t have anything to wear!

And
no money to buy anything.

“Yeah,
is that a problem?” He’s watching me closely, so I gather myself and smile
reassuringly.

“No.”

“Bad
liar. What is it?” He asks and takes my hand again.

“Nothing,
really.”

“What
are you worried about?”

Damn
it, he knows me too well already.

“I’ll
just have to figure out what to wear.” I shrug, like it’s no big deal. “It’ll
be okay.”

Will
narrows his eyes at me in thought but then just smiles at me. “Are you ready?”

“Yeah,
I have to work in a little while.”

“Let’s
get you home then.”

* * *

~Will~

I
drop into the Shelby and pull my phone out of my pocket before even leaving
Meg’s house. I just walked her to her door so she can get ready for work
tonight. I hate that she works nights.

She
works too fucking hard.

But
then, I suppose most nurses do. It never occurred to me before I met her that
patients need around the clock care. Of course, it makes sense, but not really
something most people think about.

She
works too fucking hard. And I hate that she drives home alone in the middle of
the night in that piece of shit car of hers.

I
told her to keep the Rover, but she refused.

Damn
stubborn woman.

I
dial Jules’ number and wait impatiently for her to answer.

“This
is Jules.”

“Hey,
it’s Will. Do you have time to meet up with me tonight?”

“Um…”
I can hear her shuffling papers and typing on her keyboard. “Yeah. I should be
done here around seven. Why?”

“I
just want to take you and Natalie out to eat,” I answer innocently.

“Where’s
Meg?” she asks.

“She
works tonight.”

“Have
you talked to Nat?”

“Not
yet, I called you first.” I run my hand down my face and sigh. “I just need to
talk to you guys and I haven’t seen much of you over the past few months.”

“Hey,
I’m not complaining. Sure, I’ll pick Nat up and meet you. Where are we going?”

“Just
come to my place, I’ll order in.”

* * *

“So,”
Natalie begins, taking a bite of an eggroll. She’s adorable, and looks happy,
which is all any of us have ever wanted for her. She’s as much my sister as
Jules is. “what’s up with you and Meg?”

They’re
both fucking nosy as hell. But this is why they’re here.

“I’m
completely in love with her,” I reply calmly and load my plate full of lo mein
and chicken and egg rolls and dig in. I pause and look up at the girls. They’re
frozen. Jules’ chopsticks are paused half-way to her gaping mouth and both sets
of eyes are wide.

“What?”
I ask.

“Did
you just say you’re in love with her?” Jules asks and sets her chopsticks down.

“Yes.”

“Okay.”
They look at each other and then back at me. “Have you told her that?” Natalie
asks.

“Yep.”

“What
did she say?” Jules asks.

I
squirm. I really don’t want to admit to these two that Meg hasn’t said it back.
They’ll never let me live it down.

“Has
she said it back?” Natalie asks softly, her eyes full of sympathy and all I can
do is shake my head.

“No.”

“Fuck,”
Jules whispers. “Will, Meg has trust issues…”

“I’m
aware,” I interrupt her.
Do they think I don’t know this shit? Of course I
know.
“I didn’t ask you here for this.”

“Well,
I think we should talk about it,” Jules answers stubbornly. “Meg is fantastic,
and I’m so glad that you guys are doing well.”

Natalie
nods in agreement. “Definitely. Meg is awesome, and I’m glad that she’s back in
our lives. I’ve missed her.”

“Look
guys, I know you like her. That just makes a relationship with her that much
easier. She’s great.” I shrug and smile at my sisters.

“Don’t
hurt her,” Jules whispers, her pretty face completely serious. “Honestly, Will.
Meg is strong, but she has already had enough shit thrown at her in this life.”

“I
know, Jules. Seriously. I’ve met Sylvia up close and personal, and have removed
her from Megan’s life.”

Their
eyes bug out again.

“How
did you manage that?” Natalie asks.

“I
paid her.” I shake my head as I remember the look on that bitch’s face as she
signed the contract severing all ties with her only child. “She got a shit load
of money to disappear. She signed a contract. She won’t bother Meg again. If
she does, I’ll sue the shit out of her.”

“Wow.”
Natalie swallows and laughs ruefully. “I wish I had thought of that.”

“You
wouldn’t have been able to afford it back then,” I answer softly.

“How
much did you pay her?” Jules asks.

I
just shake my head again. “More than she expected. Look, this isn’t why I asked
you here. I need a favor.”

“Okay,
shoot,” Jules stuffs half an eggroll in her mouth and chews with her mouth
open.

“You’re
so fucking classy,” I mutter.

“Thanks.”
She smiles and stuffs the other half in her mouth.

“I’m
taking Meg to the Children’s Hospital Charity Ball next Saturday and she needs
a dress. I need you to buy one for her. I’ll give you my card, and then I need
you to tell her you’re lending it to her.”

“Why?”
Nat asks with a frown. “Just take her shopping.”

“She
wouldn’t let me,” I shake my head in frustration and sigh. “I know her. There’s
no way she’ll let me take her out and spend a bunch of money on her.”

“You’re
right. At least you didn’t land a gold digger,” Jules shrugs and then keeps
eating, ignoring my scowl. “Okay, we can buy her something. What should we
get?”

“Oh!”
Nat jumps in her seat and takes a drink of water. “There’s a local designer who
makes the most beautiful gowns that are totally Meg’s style. Rocker-ish, but
elegant. Here.” She pulls up her iPhone and starts tapping it, and when she
finds what she’s looking for she turns it so Jules and I can see. “See? Look at
this one.”

It’s
perfect. The dress is flesh-colored with red and orange flowers beaded in small
patches. It’s gathered lightly at the stomach, giving it definition. There are
cap-sleeves, and a low v-neck so it’ll show off her amazing cleavage.

It’s
Meg.

“That’s
perfect. I want that dress.”

“Will,
I don’t know if that exact dress is available.”

“I
don’t care how much it costs. That’s the dress.” I shake my head and glare at them.
How hard can it be? “Just call her and tell her I want it.”

They
look at each other and then at me and start laughing their little asses off.