28. Alice
28
Alice
T wo weeks after our trip to Denver, I text my sister. Will asked Billy’s permission, and he gave it—readily, to my shock. He asked that we be discreet. I’ve kept quiet about everything. And I feel okay about it, knowing that Billy knows.
I’m not tempted to go talk to Theo about my relationship. But talking to someone might be nice.
And… I’m guessing when Billy said discreet, he didn’t mean Lula.
At least, that’s what I’m choosing to believe.
Me: I’m seeing someone.
Lula. Shut up! Who??
Me: Will.
Lula: The guy in charge? Like the one you’ve met?
Me: Yes. I still haven’t met Billy—apparently that’s the norm around here.
Lula: Dating the boss—Alice, you bad girl.
Me: I’m not a bad girl, Lula.
Lula: I know. Still, is everyone crazy jealous of you? Like does he shut up the chauvinist pig with a single glance? That’s my girlfriend.
Me: No! None of them even know. It’s against company policy for some reason. I don’t actually know why.
Lula: You are bad. You rule breaker.
Me: No. Will got permission. Billy just asks that we keep it quiet.
Lula: Wait. How long has this been going on?
Me: A couple weeks.
Lula: WEEKS! And you haven’t told me??? Do the uncles know?
Me: No. Lula, I’ve kept everything quiet because of my job.
Lula: Fine. I’m still mad.
Me: Don’t be mad. I’m telling you now. I’ve been dying to tell you.
Lula: Mom and Dad are planning to visit you. Are you gonna tell them????
Me: Ummmm. Not yet. So be quiet.
Lula: You really like him?
Me: I REALLY do.
Lula: ALICE! I need to know everything.
Lula: How did this happen? Is he a good kisser? Are you in love, big sister????
Me: Settle. I’ll tell you everything. But it’s been two weeks. Do I really have that much to tell?
I do. I have so much. And I tell Lula everything. It feels good to clue my sister in on the big happenings of my life. To speak rather than be bound by silence. Besides, I need my family, and while we may be miles and miles apart right now, I still need their love and advice.
I’ll clue the uncles and my parents in another day. For now, I feel better just having told Lula.
Half an hour later, my sister is blowing up my phone, but I’m at Will’s. Sitting on his pillow-like couch, my body nestled in the crook of his arm. He traces one finger in a figure eight over the bare skin of my shoulder and presses a kiss to my temple.
“Is that Lula again?”
“It is. It’s possible I should have kept you a secret from her.”
“Nah—”
“Not for work. But for my sanity,” I say. “She has so many questions. And now my parents are visiting.”
Will’s chest rumbles beneath me, and he presses another kiss to my head. My insides swarm with electricity. I’m not sure I’ll ever grow used to his touch. I’m not sure the sparks will ever cease. I like it that way.
“As much as I’d like to be the only person you need in life, we both know you need your family.”
I peer up at him. “It doesn’t bother you?”
“No,” he says, a grin playing on his lips. “I promise. I love that you’re close to your family. And if you need to tell your parents when they’re here?—”
“Oh, I don’t think that’s a great idea.” I gulp.
“No?” He peers down at me, brows cinched.
“Well, if we’re keeping it quiet around the office, maybe we should wait to tell my parents. You know, like when they aren’t here. I’m afraid the news might spread.” I bite my cheek.
“Yeah,” he says. “Because I foresee your parents and Theo spending a lot of time together.” His fingers at my waist pinch, and I roll in his arms, a small squeal bursting from my lips. “Oh,” he says with a grin. “She’s ticklish.”
“Will! Stop!” I command the man as if he were a trained dog. My fingers grapple around his shirt front. “No tickling.”
He leans down, his expression wicked. My body is tense, but he merely presses a soft kiss to my lips. With his kiss, the tension inside of me melts. “We’ll handle your family however you like,” he says with one more peck.
“What about you?” I say, and I’m not sure why my breaths have become haggard. “Are you close to your extended family?”
He clears his throat, sitting up a little straighter and moving me in the process. I drape my legs over his and study him. “No,” he says. “There isn’t really anyone to be close to.”
“I’m sorry.” I trace the back of my finger over his jaw and stubble.
Taking my hand in his, Will kisses my fingers. “It’s okay. Really. Your family is somewhat of an anomaly to me.”
“I can understand that. If I’d only grown up with Mom, I think I’d feel the same.”
“You prefer the big, close, extended circle.”
I swallow. I know it’s not what he grew up with. “I do.”
“I’m glad for you. I don’t mind my situation. It’s all I know. But sometimes I think it might be fun.”
“Well, now you’ve got me,” I say.
He grins. “Now I’ve got you.”
“And I come with big, loud, and many.”
His eyes fix on me. “Anomaly,” he whispers. Leaning close, he closes the gap between us, pressing a soft kiss to my lips.
My head goes light—like it so often does when I’m in Will’s arms. And I wonder, how can two weeks feel like a lifetime and a blink all at the same time?