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And she really didn’t want that to happen.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Will was happier than he’d been in a long time. The early stage of a relationship with someone he knew really well versus someone he was having to get to know was quite different. Some might enjoy the thrill of getting to know someone, but Will had discovered that it wasn’t as enjoyable for him.
Dating Janessa had shown him that it was much less stressful to be with someone he knew well. He didn’t have to worry that she’d find out something about him that she didn’t like. And that was the same for him with Janessa.
The security he felt in his relationship with Janessa wasn’t something he’d felt a lot of with Daphne. He didn’t plan to take that feeling for granted because the more time he spent with Janessa, the more he cherished her and the relationship they were building together.
They’d officially been together for over a month, and everything was going great. He knew Janessa had experienced some uncertainty at the beginning, but whatever she’d been worried about seemed to not be an issue anymore. At least he hoped that was the case, and it wasn’t just that she was ignoring her concerns.
He was aware that she didn’t always talk things through. Case in point, the issues she’d had with Jay and him earlier that year. They still hadn’t had a conversation about it. When he broached the subject, she’d just said that she had gotten angrier than she should have, and she’d apologized.
Will had forgiven her, of course, but he hoped that was really what had happened.
He chose not to dwell on it because he didn’t want to create issues where there were none. If it did become an issue at some point, he was sure that they’d be able to work through it.
Will finished packing his bag with papers he needed to grade, then pulled on his jacket. The weather had turned cold enough that jackets were no longer optional, and there had been some light snowfall already. Thankfully, it hadn’t been significant and had melted pretty quickly.
However, they were due for a larger dump soon. Usually by Thanksgiving or shortly after, the area would have snow that stuck around. Winter wasn’t his favorite time of year, but he didn’t hate it. He was used to dealing with it after living there for so long.
But that day, while the air held a chill, there was no snow in the forecast. He hurried to his car, then headed for his apartment. He had a bit of time before Janessa was done at work, so he wanted to drop his stuff off and change clothes before meeting her at her place. Their plan was to go to Coeur d’Alene for dinner and possibly a movie.
Once he’d changed into a pair of jeans and a long-sleeve Henley, he left the apartment. It was likely he’d beat Janessa to the house, but if Charli wasn’t there to let him in, he’d sit in his car and wait.
“Hey, Will!” Layla greeted him enthusiastically with a big smile when she opened the door.
“Hi.” He held his hand out for a high five as he stepped into the foyer. “How was school today?”
“Good,” she said with a shrug as she closed the door behind him. “I’m glad it’s Friday. I’m having a sleepover with my friends tonight.”
Following her into the kitchen, he asked, “Are they coming here?”
“Yep. Mom doesn’t let me sleep over at anyone else’s house yet,” Layla said with a pout.
That didn’t surprise Will at all. Charli kept Layla close, and he didn’t really blame her. As far as he knew, the only place Charli let Layla spend the night was with a family member.
“One day that might change,” Charli said as she put a large cookie sheet in the oven. “Maybe.
Will grinned as he leaned a hip against the island counter, watching the mother and daughter interact. He almost felt sorry for Layla as Charli was quite set in her mind about certain things. Like sleepovers and Layla getting a dog.
“How many are coming for the sleepover?” Will asked.
Layla rattled off three names before adding, “I wanted to invite more, but Mom said three was more than enough.”
“That does sound like the perfect number.”
“We’re having chicken nuggets and fries,” Layla said. “And cupcakes for dessert.”
“What are you having for dinner, Will?” Charli asked as she set some plates out on the counter.
“I’m not sure. We were going to decide on a restaurant on the drive to Coeur d’Alene.”
Since letting the family know they were dating, they’d spent lots of time with them at games and at dinners at Janessa and Charli’s. However, he definitely enjoyed the time they spent with just the two of them the best.
“Bring me something,” Charli said. “I’ll pay you.”
“What would you like?”
