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“Let me guess. He changed the code too.”
“It used to be my birthday. Figuring he changed it to his, I tried that, but it wouldn’t turn off. Then, I tried the kids’. Fail and fail. Finally, I tried Maisie’s, and it turned off. I started my frantic search for Mr. Snuggles, who wasn’t in the kitchen, like Izzy had thought.” I pause my pacing and explain, “Mr. Snuggles was in the bathroom. On the floor. Wedged between the toilet and the wall. By the time I was ready to leave, there was a police car outside the home. Apparently, after three failed attempts, they send over a police car to check the premises. I tried to tell them the story, but they didn’t listen, and since my ID didn’t have the address as the residence and I couldn’t prove I lived there, I was breaking and entering. They took me away in a police car … again. Handcuffs and all. Thankfully, they didn’t take my mug shot. Why didn’t they take my mug shot?”
“Because no one is pressing charges.”
My arms rise and fall in pure exasperation, but I’m careful not to spill my cocoa. “Why the hell am I here?”
“I asked them to keep you.”
“I’m so confused.”
Will leans forward, places his elbows on his knees, and looks up at me. The look in his eyes is one of earnest, as is his tone. “Melissa, please, take a seat.”
I stomp my foot while I huff.
“Please?” he asks again gently.
I have to look away from him, for that puppy-dog look is completely disarming. My heart is racing, my arms tingling, and yet there’s something coursing through my veins, warm and soothing. One would think I was drinking magical, calming hot chocolate, but that’s not it. It’s his voice. Will has this deep, soothing voice. Like whipped cream, it’s thick and sweet.
“Fine.” I take a seat. “But only because I want to get out of here and you’re holding me hostage.”
Seeming relieved, he watches as I get settled in. As soon as my back hits the wall, I shiver.
“Wear this.”
Will stands and grabs the hem of his sweatshirt, lifting it over his torso. A sliver of abdomen is exposed, and I stare at the taut muscle. It’s quickly covered by a T-shirt that falls back into place as he fully removes his sweatshirt and then holds it through the bars in offering.
“You’re freezing. Put this over your sweatshirt.”
I place my cup on the floor and take his sweatshirt, sliding it over mine. It smells of vanilla cologne and a woodsy, manly scent.
“Speak, Bronson.” I take my seat and lift my cup, taking a long sip.
Will sits down again, making us eye-level. “I called the officer on the scene. He explained the situation. I asked him to bring you here and had another officer escort Mr. Snuggles to your home. I came straight here and called Tyler to confirm he would not press charges, and then I made you a cup of cocoa.”
“That’s the most insane thing I ever heard.”
“It is.”
“If Tyler’s not pressing charges and I’m not in trouble for anything, why the hell am I behind bars?”
“How else was I supposed to get you to hear me out?”
My eyes widen. “You’re out of your mind.”
“Honestly, when it comes to you, I am.”
“William! What were you thinking?”
“I’m thinking that I met this amazing woman a few weeks ago, we had a great night out and shared an amazing kiss, and now, she won’t talk to me.”
“Because you were engaged.”
“Was.Past tense. I called off the engagement.”
I nod at the news. “Allison was in my office, wallowing in tears on a Home Depot bucket. She thinks something I said at brunch scared you off. If it did, I apologize. I shouldn’t have laid my shit on the two of you. My divorce was a really low time in my life, and I think I’m still getting over it.”
He leans forward. “I thought your meltdown at brunch was because you were shocked that I was sitting across from you with my fiancée.”
