30. Alice
30
Alice
“ S o, tell me about Will…” Coco says. She’s in my bedroom, pulling down the comforter of my made bed. She and Dad insisted on taking the futon the first two nights, but it must be getting to them because tonight, they have readily agreed to sleep in my bed.
“What about him?” I say, my eyes on the bed.
“He’s nice.” She glances over at me, and I meet her eyes—for one whole second.
But this pillow won’t fluff itself, so I return my focus to the bedding.
“He is nice,” I say. Will is one of the best men I know—and that’s standing up to my sweetheart of a father and my best friend uncles.
“Alice,” Coco hums, drawing my gaze back to hers. “Sweetheart. You like him.”
I swallow and cram my eyes closed. I can’t lie to her. I won’t. “I do. But Mom, it’s complicated. There are rules here about dating coworkers.” I shake my head. “Can we talk about Will another time? Please.”
“Sure. Whenever you’re ready.” That’s one thing I always loved about Coco. While Dad worried and fretted and always wanted all the information, Coco was good at giving me space and time.
“Thanks, Mom.” I walk around the best bed ever and kiss her cheek. “I love you. I’m glad you came.”
“I only wish we could stay longer,” she says, embracing me back.
“I only wish Lula could have come!”
She grins, nodding her agreement. “And when you’re ready?—”
I swallow. Neither Coco nor Dad would approve of us breaking rules and keeping our relationship a big fat secret from—oh—everyone. So, I’m not ready. I need time to figure a few things out first. “I’ll tell you all about him. I promise.”
The following morning my parents rise early—they’re driving back today. While Dad owns a plane, Coco only flies when he makes her, when it’s a necessity. If driving is an option, they take it.
We meet my brother out in the hall—he looks well-rested. And I get it. That floor isn’t comfortable.
Will walks out with him, in joggers and a T-shirt. He’s already worked out this morning. As much as I’ll miss my family, I’m ready for it to just be me and Will again. It was a challenge keeping my hands and eyes off him.
“This guy,” York says, pointing at Will. “He’s pretty cool.” I hadn’t exactly expected them to bond.
I lift my brows and look at Will, but he merely shrugs.
“I’ll walk you down,” I say.
“Hey, Will,” York says as we go, forcing Will to walk with us. We step onto the elevator just as my brother says, “How’s your collection of gadgets?”
Will slides both hands into his pockets. “Gadgets?”
“Yeah, you know 3D printers, fancy watches, drones?”
Will blinks. He glances at me. “Um. Well, probably the normal size collection.”
I smirk. “Right. Because the average Joe owns Smart Glasses.”
“Dude!” York calls, making my dad jump in place.
“York, honey,” Coco says. “Seven in the morning. Maybe you could bring it down a notch.”
“Ninety-eight percent!” York says from out of nowhere. What is the kid even talking about? “I want you to say in a deep voice for me, I am Batman . Let me get my phone out?—”
“Yeah, I don’t think so,” Will says.
“Dude. Come on!”
Dad rubs his head. “That’s the opposite of bringing it down, son.” He sighs, tired though he slept in the best bed ever, so I’m unsure why. “We own two planes, but we’ll be driving thirteen hours today.”
“Stop complaining,” Coco says. “We’re making memories.”
“And I love every second,” he says, leaning over and pressing a small kiss to her lips.
My heart thumps. I love Coco like a mother. But to me, she is also the person who brought love—chosen, romantic love—into the best dad in the world’s life. I’ll always be thankful to her for that. My father, more than anyone I know, deserved to be loved.
My throat tightens with the thought. “I love you guys,” I say.
Coco’s brows pull together with compassion. “We love you, princess. So much.”
“We miss you,” Dad says.
“York, tell your sister how much you miss her.”
York looks over at me just as the elevator doors open. “Sure.”
Heartfelt .
“When you come to visit,” York says, “bring Batman.”
“Excuse me?” Coco says. “Did you have too much sugar yesterday?”
He holds out a fist to Will who bumps his hand with my brother’s. “See you, sis! Later, Batman,” York calls as he heads off to the car.
“He is so weird.”
“Alice, don’t call your brother weird.” Coco turns to Will. “So nice to meet you, Will. So glad our girl has a friend out here.”
Will nods. “It was good meeting you both.”
Dad holds out a hand and he and Will shake. “Take care–” he says, the words clipped, as if he wanted to add “of my girl” but thought better of it.
Will shoves both hands into his pockets and steps back–giving me a minute with my parents.
I hug them both, missing them already. “Bye, Mom. Bye, Daddy.” I watch as they walk to their car, York already inside. Then I move next to Will, sniffling as they drive away.
“So,” Will says, slipping his hand into mine. “That’s how it is having a big family.”
I laugh. “You’re kidding, right? That wasn’t even the icing on the cake.”