Chapter Fifteen
The last date I went on was so long ago that I can’t even recall who it was with. Growing up, I wasn’t overly social. I preferred to be on the ranch, tending to the animals and spending time with my grandparents and mom.
My grandma’s accident nearly destroyed me. My mom put me in therapy afterward, but I don’t know if it helped.
In college, I had a couple of situationships, but I’ve never had a boyfriend. I’ve never come close to being in love. And it wasn’t because of the guys—it was because of me. I’ve always had complicated emotions when it comes to men. At the heart of the issue, I don’t trust them.
“How are you liking Wheaton so far?” Will asks from across the table, bringing me back to the present.
“It’s been good,” I say. “I can’t believe I’ve been here three months already.”
I stare at Will as he studies the menu. He’s not bad-looking, and although it’s completely unfair, I can’t help but compare him to Liam, who is a man. Will still looks like a boy. He’s shorter than Liam and less built. His face is so smooth it looks like he doesn’t even need to shave. If we kissed, would I get completely consumed by it? If my mom hadn’t come home, I wouldn’t have stopped anything from happening. Being touched by Liam was like being in a trance.
“What are your thoughts on the meat lovers?” He looks up from the menu.
“That sounds perfect.”
Our drinks come, and we sip beer.
“Where’d you go to school?” Will asks, blowing on his piece of pizza.
“I stayed in South Dakota,” I say. “My mom and I were selling the ranch we lived on, and she was figuring out where to go next.”
“After nursing school, you became a travel nurse?”
“I did,” I say. “I saw a job posting for a three-month assignment in Flagstaff and thought, why not? After my time there, I loved that I didn’t have to stay because the hospital wasn’t for me. So I headed to Vermont. Then I saw an opening in West Virginia and kept moving.”
We go back and forth, and the conversation flows. Will is also from South Dakota and has lived here for a few years. He’s a couple of years older than me. We stick to surface-level things, which is fine—maybe even preferred. There’s no spark, though, and I wonder if Will realizes that too.
“Liam,” Will says, and my ears perk up. “What’s his story? He always looks pissed at the world, but somehow, he’s always smiling around you.”
“He’s harmless,” I say casually and shrug. I leave out the part about him looking into the finances of the nursing home.
My mind goes to our kiss from earlier. I’d imagined what kissing him would be like, even though I had no intention of finding out. Usually, the more I get to know someone, the less attractive they become. Why couldn’t that be true with Liam?
Liam is also the kind of guy who’s used to getting what he wants, which is why he’s struggled so much with being here, as well as the circumstances behind it. Women say yes to him, and I can guarantee that I’m unlike anyone he’s ever pursued.
People describe me as the girl next door. I look much younger than my twenty-five years, with freckles sprinkling my face, shoulders, and chest. I’m cute. The women he’s dated are probably bombshells.
“Do you want another drink?” Will asks.
I shake my head. How long have I been sitting here daydreaming about Liam?
“No,” I say. “Sorry. I must be the worst company. I have low energy for some reason.”
“I’m enjoying myself.” Will smiles from across the table. “How’s the cheek? It looks better than it did earlier.”
Did that just happen today? It already feels like a lifetime ago.
“Much better,” I say. “Thanks again for stepping in. I should have called for backup. Sis usually calms down faster than that.”
The bill comes, and Will takes it before I have a chance, sliding his card across the wobbly wood table.
“Shall we?” he says after paying.
Will drives me the short distance home and gets out of the car to walk me to the door.
“Thanks for tonight,” I say. “And sorry if I seem distracted. I think I’m just sleep deprived.”
“I had fun,” he says, going up the three steps to the landing. “I like getting to know you. You’ve made everything better at the nursing home.”
“Yeah?” I wrinkle my nose. “That’s nice of you to say.”
Will leans in at the same time I stick my hand out to shake his. I pretty much punch him in the gut, and he ends up kissing the tip of my nose. It’s every awkward end-of-the-night goodbye wrapped into one perfectly terrible package.
“Have a good night,” I quickly say, opening the door, wanting to get as far away as possible. “Thanks again.”
I shut the door, lock it, and then let myself slide down until I’m sitting on the cold tile floor. I let my head roll back, and I close my eyes. It was a full day. From getting a shiner to comforting Liam to making out with him and then going on a non-date with Will. I rub my palms into my eyes, and then open them. My mom stands with her arms crossed and a smile on her face.
“Birdie girl.” She reaches her arms out and pulls me up. “I’m opening a bottle of wine, and you’re going to tell me everything.”