I was staring hard at her now. What was she trying to accomplish? I finally got her attention as she glanced over at me for a moment before she turned back to Will.
“But I’ve been here for years. I don’t know what new people want to see.” She nodded toward him. “You know the places that are good and the places that you can skip.”
“I’ve only really been to the hotel and a bakery.”
“See!” Abigail waved her hand in his direction. “You would be the perfect person to escort Emery around the island.”
Will didn’t look like he believed a single word.
My entire body felt like it was going to catch fire. I wanted Abigail to stop talking and to stop talking now. Will stared at Abigail as if trying to figure out what she was doing. Finally, an understanding smile spread across his lips as he turned to me.
“You really don’t have to be my escort,” I said, giving him an out if he wanted one. “I’m not going to be here long, and I’m sure you are busy.”
Will shook his head. “I’d love to show you around, if you want.” His expression was genuine, and I appreciated that he didn’t turn me down flat. I’m not sure I could come back from the humiliation if he did.
Truth was, I wasn’t sure what I wanted. At this point, I knew I had to do something about the board’s mandate. But with how horrible my flirting game was, Abigail’s suggestion of faking a relationship with Noah was looking better and better.
I mentally told myself to shut up. Doing anything with Noah wasn’t an option. I should not even entertain that thought. I wasn’t broken, I was just rusty. Going on a date with Will would help. Even if nothing came of it, it would give me the practice that I so desperately needed.
I smiled. “I’d love that.”
He chuckled and then paused. “Well, I’m leaving tomorrow for a few days. Maybe when I get back?”
“How about tonight?” We both turned to stare at Abigail. She glanced between us and then laughed. “I mean, no time like the present. And it’s not like you have anything going on after this.” She raised her eyebrows as if to dare me to reject her proposal.
I stared at her, hoping she’d pick up on my reluctance, but her smile didn’t falter. So I turned to Will. “She’s right. I have nothing going on after this.”
“How about drinks?”
The more this man took Abigail’s meddling in stride, the more curious I was about him. He didn’t miss a beat with every suggestion she made. Perhaps I would have a good time with him if we went out.
“Drinks?” he asked.
“Harmony Pub is great,” Abigail offered.
Will looked from Abigail back to me. “I hear Harmony Pub is great.”
I forced a thoughtful expression. “I think I’ve heard that as well.”
“How about eight?”
I smiled. “I’ll meet you there.”
“Perfect.”
“Okay.”
I wasn’t sure how to end our conversation, but then Bash appeared, declaring that there was someone I needed to meet. I gave Will one last smile before I turned and followed Bash through the crowd.
I didn’t have a chance to talk to Will again before the evening was over, which I was okay with. I was going to spend some one-on-one time with him tonight without Abigail there to be the social lubricant between us. I’d rather save potential topics of conversation for our time together at the pub than use them up just to have small talk at this event.
Timothy was tired, but Bash still needed to stay, so Abigail handed the keys to her car over to Noah and told us that she would ride home with Bash. She demanded that Noah get me home so I could get ready. Just as I turned to leave, she reminded me that I needed to be at the Pub promptly at eight looking like “a woman who wants a man.”
I stared at her as I felt Noah’s shoulders tighten next to me. It was strange, but I didn’t want him to know of my plans for the night. It made me feel vulnerable.
If Abigail picked up on my unease, she didn’t acknowledge it. Instead, she told me that she had a little black cocktail dress that would be perfect for me in her closet. She eyed Noah before telling him that he was not allowed to go with me.
I could feel that he was not happy with her declaration, but he didn’t say anything. Instead, he just took her keys and led the way out of the hotel.
