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I snort, covering my mouth, unable to stifle the laugh that bursts free. “I know. But it’s not just that you are a good-looking guy. She thinks you are nice, and it terrifies her. She’s used to…” I swallow hard, looking down at the carpet, sadness filling me. Sighing, I look up at him. “She’s only experienced the worst in men. But you are testing her, showing that not all men are like that, and it’s tempting her. That’s why she’s pushing you away so hard. She’s terrified of getting hurt.”
The anger abates from his body, the redness leaving his face as he blinks at me, processing my words. I squeeze his arm one final time, then pull my hand away.
Will’s arm wraps around my shoulders. “She likes you, man. I don’t know how else to say it.” He cocks his head. “Remember some of the advice you gave me. The best things in life are both the hardest, yet easiest things to endure.”
Bryan stares at Will, swallowing hard, before Will drops his eyes to mine, our gazes clashing together as he gives me a gentle squeeze.
My heart pounds faster, overcome by the feelings I possess inside for him. He’s my partner. My confidant. My lover.
We make one hell of a team.
Bryan’s stunned voice breaks through my daze. “So how do I handle Savannah?”
Ahh. He really likes her.
“Keep doing what you’ve been doing. Be nice to her. Even when she’s infuriating. Be patient. You’re breaking down her walls…” I pause, biting my lip, then deciding to go for it. “You can’t tell her this…”
For a moment, Bryan looks slightly offended. “Everleigh,” is all he says, his brows lowering.
I hold up my hand. “Sorry, Bry. I shouldn’t have said that. You’re discreet as hell.”
His expression relaxes. “Yeah, I’d never break confidentiality. Ask Will.”
I glance up at Will, who nods. “Bryan is my ride or die. His word is law. He never breaks a promise, nor would he ever betray anyone’s confidence. Even if he was tortured.” He grins and holds out his hand, fist bumping him.
“Forgive me for saying that, please. Maybe it’s my pregnancy hormones.” I shrug, still feeling bad. “She and I went for a run in the woods and she couldn’t stop talking about you. When I brought it up, she turned bright red before she said, ‘He’s different, Everleigh. And it makes me feel weird because he’s not… a monster.’ I nearly tripped over a root when she said that because, although I’ve known Savannah for a long time, she’s never said anything like that to me before.”
Bryan sucks in a breath, his expression turning hopeful. He’s quiet for a few beats, processing what I said, before he slowly smiles, his gaze returning to mine. “I’m glad you entrusted me enough to tell me that. It will help me hang onto my patience more when she’s pushing me away.”
“She’s a tough person to get close to. When I first met her in high school, she didn’t seem to have any friends. Even after I stood up to the bullies tormenting her daily, she was still guarded and hard to get close to. But she’s worth hanging in there for. There’s a heart of gold inside that girl. She’s just had a really shitty life.”
Bryan’s face is full of sympathy and sadness. “I’m sorry. She didn’t deserve any of what she’s endured.”
“I don’t want to reveal any further details than I already have. You’ll know you’ve made progress with her if she starts revealing her past to you.” Giving him a warm smile, I squeeze his arm. “Hang in there, okay?”
“Thanks, Everleigh. I appreciate what you did here.” He gives Will a devilish grin. “And thanks in advance for occupying this prick. I need to gather data before our 11:00 meeting, so I’m heading back to my office.” He grabs his coffee and pastry and heads to the door. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” With a twinkle in his eyes, he steps through the doorway, pulling Will’s office door shut behind him.
Will looks at his watch, grinning. “I have forty-five minutes of free time. Any ideas on how I can pass the time?” His smile is flirty as he steps into my space, his arms wrapping around me.
“I can think of a few things.” Grabbing his tie, I pull his mouth down to mine. Wrapping my arms around him, I start to lose myself in him.
And then I remember my conversation with Emma in the kitchen before I left.
Pulling back, I suck in a breath, trying to center myself. “I need to talk to you about something before we get too carried away.”
He studies my face, eyes shifting back and forth between mine. Slowly, a smile curls his lips. “Ah, you’re finally going to tell me why you’ve been preoccupied lately.”
Surprise fills my features as I stand there in his embrace. “You knew? You didn’t say anything.”
“I wasn’t going to push you since I could tell you were mulling it over, and it didn’t seem traumatic in any way.” He pushes back a lock of my hair before cupping my face. “Talk to me, love. What is it?”
“It’s about my goals and finally pursuing them.”
“You have my full attention, goddess. Please, continue.”
With his fingers wrapped around mine, Will stands beside me at the elevator, waiting for the doors to open. “Are you sure you don’t want me to walk you to your car?”
I put my hand on his chest. “Don’t be silly. You have a meeting to go to and need to prepare. I’m fully capable of walking myself to my car, love.” Standing on my tiptoes, I press a kiss to his lips. “But thank you for offering.”
