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“Orange, huh?” Marie countered, smiling at Calista and Will.
“My favorite color,” he quipped, kissing Calista’s forehead affectionately, causing Marie to laugh as she shook her head, stepping past them into the walkway.
“You need to get dry and…” Calista interjected gently, only to feel Will’s arms loosen slightly.
“I’m sorry I got you wet, but I just needed to come check on… my friend,” his voice was choked on the last two words, causing her to hesitate.
Everything he’d done, checking on her, sending Marieto her, holding her, bespoke of more than a friendship… yet, he was visibly retreating once more.
“I’m going to get some rest – if you’ll see Shepherd or Bo, they’ll put together something cold to eat. It will help settle any queasiness you might have. Eat above deck if it stops raining, because I smell vomit below decks.”
“I didn’t throw up…”
“No, but I think your neighbors did - the scent carries.”
“Will… thank you for saving us.”
“Calista, anyone who was the captain would prevent his ship from sinking or being disabled. We’re friends and will always be close, but I think we need a little space so you can decide what you want without being swayed. Gratitude does not make a relationship – and I want more from you than your thanks.”
With that, he dropped his arms from her and quickly turned to disappear into his cabin doorway. She moved to knock on his door, following him, and as he jerked it open… she hesitated.
He was standing there, no shirt on, revealing so much tanned skin and a tattoo on his shoulder. His hair was mussed from where he’d jerked the sopping wet t-shirt from over his head… and looked devastatingly beautiful in that moment.
“What do you want?” he asked simply.
“I don’t know…” she admitted, feeling discombobulated at seeing him, craving the idea of touching him, along with the budding desire building in her stomach. She adored Jack… butcravedWill.
“I know,” he replied gently. “Go eat and if you want my kindle later, c’mon in. I’ll be sleeping for a while, and I think the rain is going to prevent any activities above deck.”
“You aren’t worried about me interrupting your sleep?”
“If you interrupt me, I’m hoping it’s because you’ve made up your mind and decided to take a chance at forever with me…” he whispered, not looking away from her.
“What are you saying?”
“I don’t want some fling between us – I’m serious. I want a family, a wife, and a future…”
“But the ship?”
“Is something we’d talk about if you are serious, because if you aren’t? There’s no reason to even discuss a future if you aren’t all in.”
“So you are putting this on me…”
“Yes,” he replied bluntly, his eyes softening the harsh single word.
“Will…”
“Goodnight Calista,” – and with that?
He shut the door to his cabin, and she could hear his steps walking off, combined with his heavy sigh. Part of her should be offended that he shut the door nearly in her face, but another part was grateful.
He was giving her chance after chance to make sure this was what she wanted, almost as if there would be no turning back from the moment she said ‘Yes’ to him.
What happened if she wanted a future with him?
She raised her hand to knock on his door, to confront him and herself with the questions she was so curious about… and then lowered it with sudden understanding.
If she trusted him, chose him, chose a future together… then she needed to relinquish all those questions and be a part of his world, tackling obstacles together, come what may – and that was where she got hung up.
