AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She watched as he approached Will with his hand out, so he’d obviously just introduced himself, but Will didn't shake it. Instead, he moved closer to Jason, standing almost chest to chest with him. Although Jason was tall, Will had about three inches on him, and whatever he said made Jason drop his hand and back up before turning away and heading back to the house.
Will followed behind him but stopped at the door, holding it open. His eyes were bright when they lit on Elizabeth.
“Can you please come outside?”
She nodded and went out the front door, following him to his car.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“Yes. Why?”
“Why do youthink? How did you end up working with him?”
“He said Collins arranged for me to be here.”
“Oh, God. Collins. I–I should have told you—”
“I already know everything. Jane filled me in.”
“Still, I should have said something last night.”
“I didn't give you the opportunity. And I could have said something too. I can't believe he was involved, that he was the one with Wickham.”
“Me either.” He sighed. “How often do you have to work with Jason?”
“He's one of the supervisors, so we interact occasionally. He wanted to dredge up everything from all those years ago, and frankly, with all the shit I was dealing with already, I couldn't deal with it. I was at my shit limit.”
He looked at her sadly. “I'm sorry.”
“Pleasestop telling me you're sorry.”
He shrugged. “This is a new thing to be sorry for. I'm sorry you have to associate with him.”
“It's only been for work. Nothing more.”
“I know, you don't have to tell me that. Do you honestly believe I would think you'd be with him?”
“Well, you thought I’d been with Wickham, so…”
His head snapped back as if he'd been struck and his cheeks colored. “Wow. I guess I deserved that, right? Let's face it, it wouldn't be a stretch for me. I'm all about assuming the worst.” He stared off for a moment. “That thought never entered my mind when I realized who he was.”
“What did you say to him?”
“I told him it would be a cold day in hell before I shook his hand and to back up and walk away before I kicked his ass all over the front lawn.”
She sighed, though part of her wanted to smile. She held it back, refusing to give him an inch.No more than the inches I’ve already given, that is. The fact that they were here, talking as if nothing stood between them, felt oddly normal…and felt like way too many inches.
“Pretty hypocritical, huh?” he said. “My guess is that he doesn't know much about us.”
“He doesn't, and he never will.”
He nodded and gazed at her for a long moment, then grasped one of her hands. “Okay, well, you need to go back in for your meeting, I guess.”
She nodded.
“Just promise me you'll reach out if you want to talk.”
“No, Will. I don't want to make any promises.”
