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“I think I cried every night until she was in remission.” Will admits, and it is such a raw confession that my heart softens for him.
“It is tough to see those we love suffer. That is why this trip is so good for Dad. He was in a bad spot after Mama died, but I think this is bringing him back.” I say, smiling as I think of all the times I’ve seen Dad truly happy in the last month.
“Then I guess even if my book tanks, this will have been worth it.” Will jokes, but I can see how much hearing that meant to him, and I like him a lot more knowing that he would do all this just to make someone happy.
That night, as I fall asleep, I realize I may have been as wrong about Will as he was about me. We are two sides of the same coin, each seeing our own side and how different they are, but I was starting to see that if were willing to meet in the middle, we might see how much we have in common.
Chapter 13
Days later, we are back on the road, passing the border from Nevada into California. I still haven’t forgotten that moment in the water with Will. It haunts me every time we make eye contact, but I’m not about to kiss him while stuck in a car with my dad. Plus, I’m not even sure what that moment was to him.
“Well, we have a weekend off, in California no less. What are you going to do Will?” My dad happily taps on the steering wheel with his fingers to the beat of the song and I can tell he is relieved to have a weekend without a Susan or driving.
“I’m going to a wedding.” Will doesn’t elaborate, but just the way he says it doesn’t convey a lot of excitement.
“Whose wedding?” My dad asks, also noticing Will’s lack of enthusiasm.
“My ex-girlfriends.” Will seems detached as he says it, staring out the window.
“I assume you two are on good terms, then?” Dad seems a little confused now and I forget he doesn’t know Will’s past.
“No, it was a courtesy invite. She thought I wouldn’t show, but I’m a little bitter so I decided to go to spite her. Even said I was bringing a plus one.” Will chuckles and tries to play it like he doesn’t care, but I know better than to fall for his cover.
“So, you have a date?” Dad asks and I’m curious too. Who would Will bring to his cheating ex-girlfriend’s wedding?
“No, with all of this, I didn’t have time to find someone.” Will lets out a sigh.
“Well, you could take Hannah.” Dad proposes, and I sit up from my lounging position, wishing I could have slapped a hand over his mouth and stopped him from saying that. Why is he trying to set me up with him, anyway?
“Or dad.” I add quickly.
“That actually is not such a bad idea.” Will smiles as he turns back to look at me, his whole expression more mischievous than I’m comfortable with.
“Yeah, dad looks really good in a suit.” I keep my tone serious, trying to seem like I have no interest in going at all.
“There will be good food. Good free food.” When Will adds a pleading look, I know I’m going to cave.
“Fine, I’m in, but I have nothing to wear. Only sundresses and I doubt that meets the dress code.” I gesture to the wrinkled floral dress I wear now.
“Don’t worry, we can go shopping. And since you will be helping me, it will be my treat.” Will waves away my concerns easily, but from the way he smirks, I know this shopping trip will probably be filled with his teasing.
“As long as this shopping trip doesn’t turn into a Pretty Woman montage, I guess that will be okay.” I look away from Will’s laughing eyes and stare out the window, trying to suppress the budding excitement in me. This is a favor, after all, not a date.
And that is how I end up in a high-end department store with Will the next morning. He sits outside my dressing room, while I parade about for him and the attendant. Somehow, when he said it would be his treat, I didn’t think he would be the one choosing my dress.
“No way am I showing up at your ex’s wedding in the Jessica Rabbit dress.” I say, gesturing to the slinky red dress that was hugging every curve of my body. In my opinion, for a dress to balance classy and sexy, it could only have one of the four sexy dress features: plunging neckline, open back, leg slit, and curve hugging. This dress was trying to do all four and in red. It wasn’t a dress you wore to a wedding unless you wanted the bride to glare at you the whole time.
“A man can dream.” Will sighs as his eyes ran appreciatively over the dress. Of course, he would like this dress. He is a man. I just roll my eyes and stomp back to the dressing room.
“Your boyfriend is really patient.” The attendant says as she helps me out of the dress and into the next one. I have been trying on dresses for about an hour, but Will and I couldn’t agree on one.
“More like he is really opinionated.” I mutter as she helps me step into the next dress. I would have been fine with several of the dresses I had tried on, but none were good enough for Will.
I study my reflection as the attendant zips up the current dress. This dress was made for me. The silk is the dress is a rich golden color that compliments my tan and makes my skin glow. The bodice is fitted, but over the chest the neckline is draped. The back mimics the front with a draped scoop back. The dress remains fitted to the hips, where it flares subtly to the floor. A slit runs up the skirt to mid-thigh. Perfect balance of class and sexy.
“Will, I’m getting this dress.” I call out as I study my reflection.
“Let me see.” He calls back.
