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William is sitting on the edge of the bed. He’s wearing nothing but his boxers, and his hair is sticking out in all directions. “Hey.” He turns his head and gives me a quiet smile.
It feels like there’s a string tied to my heart extending all the way over to him. It’s being tugged right now. I can feel it in my chest.
I scoot over so I can sit next to him. “You okay?”
“Yeah.”
“Big day.”
He slants me a quick look. Then nods. “It is.”
Today they sign the final contracts on the restructuring of the Worthing companies and holdings. Everything he’s been working toward will finally come to fruition.
I reach over and take his hand, holding it in my lap with both of mine. “Are you excited? Nervous?”
“Wired. And also exhausted. If it’s possible to be both at the same time.”
I lean my head against his shoulder, stroking his palm with both my thumbs. “It’s definitely possible. But it will be great. You’re going to do great.”
“I hope so.”
“Do you really think you won’t?”
He doesn’t answer immediately. He adjusts the clasp of our hands so he can bring one of mine up to his mouth and press a kiss on the knuckles.
“William, you’re brilliant and focused and committed and you work so hard. How can you not do a good job?”
He smiles. “Thank you for that.”
“I’m not saying anything other than the truth. You’ll see. I’m sure your cousin did a fine job, but he was pulled in a zillion directions and he never even wanted all that responsibility. You do want it. These specific companies are going to have your full attention, and heading them up is exactly what you want to do. You’re going to blow everyone away.”
He’s smiling again, softer and warmer this time. “I’m going to do my best.”
“That’s all you have to do. But you’re allowed to be excited. You’ve worked really hard for this.”
“I have.”
I wrap both arms around him and squeeze him in a long hug. He doesn’t say anything else, but he doesn’t have to. I can feel his response in his nakedly needy grip on me.
Two months ago, I never dreamed William Worthing might need me for real. For anything.
But he does.
Hedoes.
* * *
That evening, we have dinner with Arthur Worthing and his girlfriend, Scarlett, to celebrate the completed restructuring.
Arthur is William’s oldest cousin and about ten years older than him. Because of this, they were never really close, but he’s talked about him being a good guy. I honestly have no idea what to expect, but I guess I imagined a slightly older version of William.
Arthur Worthing is nothing like William. He’s got long hair that reaches his shoulders—brown threaded with gray. Although he’s got it pulled back in a loose, low ponytail, it still comes across as rather rumpled. He has strong, roughly attractive features and a large scar slashing down one side of his face. His suit is well tailored but not as sleekly professional as William’s.
Other than the exact same brown eyes, I’d never know they were related.
His girlfriend is much younger than him—probably my age—and quietly pretty with brown hair and amber eyes. She comes across as thoughtful and intelligent, and she has a lovely, soft, lyrical voice. She’s not one of those highly social extroverts, but she’s easy to talk to.
I like her immediately. When I see her giving me a quick, automatic assessment, I really hope she doesn’t assume I’m a wannabe trophy wife, only interested in obtaining a rich husband.
