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“Dad says that about everyone.”
“So…” Austin drags, tapping his fingers on the counter. “Why is Will here? Because your Dad never mentioned why?”
I shrug my shoulders. “Not sure. I only found out when you did.”
“Millie…” he trails off as Mom walks into the kitchen and tells us to go sit at the table.
We both offer to help, which she kindly refuses. With Addison and Alexandra already seated, I take a seat as Austin sits beside me. The girls are bombarding Austin with questions about being a doctor, a lot of it rather gross for dinner conversation.
Dad walks into the dining room, stopping to kiss the girls on their heads before taking a seat at the table. I glance over to him, yet he doesn’t appear to be bothered by Aust
in sitting at the table with us, nor does it look like he suspects anything about Will and me.
I breathe a sigh of relief until Will walks in, avoiding my stare with his head down. Ava bounces behind him, pushing him along, which appears to annoy him. They take a seat across from me, and I have to give it to Ava—she’s doing her best to act like she didn’t just hear the biggest news of her life.
For most of the dinner, Dad is asking Austin questions, and occasionally, Mom pipes up. I shove my food around my plate, doing my best to avoid any eye contact with Will. But paranoid that my parents will notice my behavior, I throw in a few comments here or there.
“What’s everyone’s plans for New Years’?” Mom asks, changing the topic of conversation.
“You know mine, Mom.” Ava grins.
Dad places his fork down, glancing over with a stern expression. “That’s yet to be determined, Ava,”
“Aw, c’mon, Dad. It’s senior year.”
Mom is quick to divert attention to Austin. “How about you, Austin?”
“There are a few parties back on campus, but a few friends are thinking about staying in Manhattan.”
“Oh, that would be lovely, nothing like bringing in the new year in Time’s Square,” Mom responds with a smile, then turns to face me. “What about you, honey?”
“Me? Maybe the city or campus. Liesel will probably drag me to something.”
“You can join us,” Austin suggests, a smirk playing on his lips. “Can’t guarantee what will happen. Med students are a wild bunch.”
Dad laughs as if it’s some private joke. I try my damn hardest not to look up at Will, but like a magnetic force, my eyes move on their own accord until our gaze locks. My pulse begins to race. All my senses ignite like a fire roaring to life. The heat starts to rise in my cheeks, forcing me to drop my gaze to steady my breath.
Terrified that someone has noticed the flush in my cheeks, I drink the entire glass of water, willing myself to cool down.
“And how about you, Will?” Mom asks, glancing at him with amusement. “Rocky always likes to enjoy himself on New Year’s Eve. No doubt, your mother is already planning his bail money.”
Will clears his throat, turning to face Mom with a smile. “I’ll be in Boston for work.”
Did he just say Boston? Anger stirs within me for his lack of communication. Typical Will with his work, always first in his eyes. He’s just like Dad, and the more I think about it, the more it irritates me. The same goes for London—not once has he mentioned it being a possibility real soon.
I raise my eyes again to see Ava across from me, a worried expression on her usually jovial face. As if she can read my thoughts, she begins to talk about colleges she’s applied to, which, of course, warrants Dad’s opinion since none of them were close to home.
“Thank you for the meal, Mr. and Mrs. Edwards,” Austin says, wiping his mouth with the napkin. “It’s getting late, and I should be getting home.”
My parents wish him luck with school and suggest he visit any time he’s back here in LA.
“I’ll walk you out,” I tell him, avoiding Will’s gaze.
Outside the front of our home, I cross my arms to shield my chest from the cold night’s air. The moon is bright tonight, full and round, a beautiful sight amongst the dark sky.
“It was great to see you, Austin.”
“Millie.” He lowers his gaze, only to lift it moments later. “You’re playing with fire.”
