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“Wanna head out to the patio?” William raises his brows, waiting for my response.
Emma claps her hands together. “Oh, that sounds like a lovely idea, you two. It’s the perfect day to sit outside with a blanket and a book.”
I raise my cup at her. “I like the way you think.” Winking at her, I study her pale face. My eyes move over to William, who seems to read my expression. “Do you want to join us?”
“Oh, I don’t—”
“We’d love for you to join us, Emma,” William interrupts, giving me a warm smile.
She looks back and forth between us for a few beats, then says, “Okay, let me get my sweater and a blanket and I’ll join you. The two of you can go ahead. You don’t need to wait on me.” Emma grins, hurrying to the door.
I watch her go, then meet William’s gaze. “Do you think we should wait? Or will she be alright?”
He shrugs. “She’s stubborn, but she does ask for help when she needs it. She can always reach me, so we might as well listen to her.” He pulls his cell phone and the small remote from his pockets, holding them up, before shoving them back inside his pockets.
“That’s a relief.” I head to the storage bench at the foot of the bed, pulling out a blanket. “Do you want one?”
He shakes his head. “I’m gonna grab one from my room before we head up.”
We head out of the room, drinking our coffees and chatting about Emma’s health. I’m relieved to hear that Emma’s first chemotherapy treatment went well, and that’s why she’s been spending more time resting. She has another tomorrow morning and William is a bit concerned she will start experiencing side effects from it.
William throws open his bedroom door and I can’t help the intense curiosity that bubbles over me. He steps inside, heading to his enormous walk-in closet while I stand there, taking in the scarlet carpet and black furnishings. Everything is so clean, not a thing out of place, as my eyes rake over his enormous bed, the large dresser against one wall, the two bookshelves surrounding his desk. My eyes widen as I spot the laptop on his massive black desk, wishing I could get my fingers on it to contact Vanessa.
I quickly avert my eyes from his laptop when he walks out of his closet, moving my gaze around his room instead and trying to act nonchalant, though my heart is pounding. “Nice room, Will.”
He pulls his sweatshirt over his head, adjusting it over the long-sleeved t-shirt he’s wearing beneath it. “Thanks. I’ve nearly forgotten you haven’t seen it.”
Nodding, I take a few more steps inside his room, turning slowly. My eyes land on the fireplace on the wall behind me, facing the bed. It reminds me so much of the fireplace in Max’s apartment.
Sucking in a breath, I turn my head away from it, noticing the balcony and view he has, the forest spreading around the long road that leads to freedom. If only I could get the chance to escape.
Turning back to him, I give him a smile, hoping I appear natural, despite my heart pounding like a drum. Anxiety swirls inside me from the desperation to somehow contact someone from the outside world via his laptop.
We head outside to the patio, sitting high above the ground. I evaluate my surroundings but reach the conclusion there’s no way I could climb over the railing and onto the roof, then down to the ground.
Emma comes out a few minutes later, sitting beside me on the oversized chair, while William sits across from us. William pokes fun at me for wrapping up in the blanket while drinking a frozen coffee.
When I’m finished drinking it, I pluck my straw from the cup and throw it at him, causing him to laugh.
Two hours later, we head inside since Emma insists on making dinner. And though I should eat something healthy, she makes the best chicken fettuccine alfredo I’ve ever eaten, so when she suggests making it, who am I to turn it down?
We go to my room, where I challenge him to a game of Mario Kart racing.
Crossing the room to the video game console, I put in the game. Grabbing the controllers, I hand him one. “Prepare to be slaughtered.”
William throws his head back, howling with laughter.
Rolling my eyes, my gaze is alert with determination as I prepare to win. He doesn’t stop laughing until I nudge him with my elbow. “Are you done?”
He laughs harder, falling back onto my bed as I stare at him in disbelief.
“What the hell is so funny?” I can’t keep the laughter out of my voice as I say that.
When he finally gets himself under control, he motions for me to start the game. As soon as I get focused, he leans over and whispers, “I let you win the last time we played.”
“You did not!” I look at him, seeing the evil grin on his face. When I look back at the screen, he’s half a lap ahead of me. “You cheater.” I try elbowing him in the side, but he anticipates my move, jumping out of the way.
“I’m onto you, Irelynn. You aren’t going to win this.”
