Three days to go, and it has been word of mouth that the owner of Daisy Wineries was getting married. Again. While the winter was spreading its claws, the snow was yet to come. I patted Bruno's head as Martha made another comment about keeping him away from the dinner table.
"He's a good boy, Martha. Let him stay, please." Will said, and Martha gave him an uneasy nod.
Over the past few days, Will Turner has wrapped everyone around his fingers. I suspect that he and Ron were planning to go fishing sometime in the afternoon the next day. I had been seeing very much and yet very little of Will these days. He was busy helping with the wedding arrangements by day, and at night he worked from home. At this point, I even thought he would quit. But he doesn't. Of all the people, I should have known Will Turner wasn't a quitter. He certainly didn't quit being a pain in my ass, and now I had to dine with him seated next to me. Who the hell made the dinner arrangements? I cursed under my breath.
I played with the tomato on my plate; as we sat at the dinner table. The only good thing about winters was I would see the snow sometime soon and wear the comfy sweaters all day long! Thank god, no more hideous, skin-tight clothes and paper-thin tops.
"How long are you planning to toss that tomato on your plate?" Will whispered in my ear, and I nearly choked on my food.
"Sweet Jesus. What the hell's wrong with you?" I coughed, and he handed me the glass of water. I had done a great job of pretending he didn't exist till day two of Will's not-so-special stay. On the third day, he made it nearly impossible with all the questions about the wedding venue, guest lists, RSVPs, and whatnot!
"Nothing. You make me worry." He said in a small voice, and I couldn't help but stare at him.
"Ahem ahem!" Martha cleared her throat, and it took me a moment to realize we were not alone.
"So, how's it going with the caterers?" Martha asked, and Mom went into panic mode. Oh no. No. No! She acts like she's nine months pregnant. Since the wedding preps have started, her visits to Dr. Collins haven't calmed her down, and I was running out of time with everything going around. Needless to mention, Will Turner was doing a great job of being nice, and still fucking me up.
"Mom! Calm down. It's going great. I have forwarded them a list of cuisines, drinks, and the cake is the best." I said, and Ron rubbed my mom's back.
Good or bad, you decide, but Ron seemed to care when mom was concerned. Maybe, Ron had made one good decision in his life, but I couldn't say the same about mom. I had convinced myself to attend the wedding, but I wasn't sure if I was ready for that. I only counted days till it was all over. I couldn't wait to go back to work, help out with Mikhail's upcoming book launch, and make my move to Bexley's Seattle Office. No thanks to Will, I won't be able to do everything I planned till the wedding.
"Have you picked up your bridesmaid dress from Taylor's?" My mom inquired, and I shook my head.
"Taylor said she'll get the fittings done by tomorrow. Martha, could you drop me off at the boutique tomorrow?" I asked, and Martha sipped from her glass of wine.
"I have personal errands to run tomorrow. Maybe Ron can drop you off!" Martha said as I scrunched my nose at the mention of Ron's name.
"No way! I'd rather walk than drive with this ap-"
"Behave, Eva!" Mom interrupted me.
"Fine. Anyone but Ron!" I said, rolling my eyes.
"I will drop you at the boutique then," Will said, squeezing my thigh, and my senses heightened as I yanked his hand off.
"Great. Sounds like a plan." Martha said before I could decline the offer as she got a mouthful of lettuce. Her obsession with greens would send health freaks running for the hills! But that's Martha for you- nothing less than a perfectionist in whatever she does, that includes painting, watching Game of Thrones on weekends, and following the 'Hot-ladies-till-'80s' diet. I wouldn't burst her bubble about the whole thing being an internet scam. The only thing that could challenge her faith in her diet was God. Amen.
"I will be going now. Thanks for dinner." Will said, as he wiped his hands on the tissues and winked.
It was going to be a less-than-normal ride with him. Wasn't it?
"Where are you going?" Mom asked as I stood up.
"I need to check on some things," I said, lying.
I walked upstairs, catching Will in the alley. He stopped when his eyes fell on me. His lips played into a grin.
"Why did you wink at me?" I asked adamantly.
"It's a secret," He said playfully, and I fought the urge to smack him across the face. He was trying my patience now. Incredible!
"Don't try to pull anything funny. Do you think I will fall for your tactics again? You are wrong!" I said, looking him in the eye, and didn't realize I walked too close, breathing in his neck.
"I know you won't fall for it again, Eva. You never got over it!" He said, giving me another wink.
"Why, you cocky little-" I said, and he pulled me by my waist. His hands went around my back, and I found myself locked in the guest room as Will pinned me to the door.
"You can't seduce me every time we are fighting!" I said in a low voice.
"Then stop fighting me, Eva!" Will said, placing my hand over his chest.
"I can't! I won't!" I said, moving my hand down his chest.
"I am trying to mend things! Don't stand in my way, don't stand in our way!" Will said, looking at me with stern eyes.
"There is no 'our' way here," I said, and he flinched at the words.
His lips pressed firmly against mine, and I couldn't help but reciprocate. I felt the gentle touch of his lips breathing on mine. The hint of mashed potatoes from dinner in his mouth, and the primal hunger of the days when I had not been with him, fueled my need for him.
Unexpectedly, he pulled out, holding me caged between the door and him.
"Kiss me like that, and you have the guts to tell me there is no 'our' way?" Will said, mocking me.
"How could I trust you after everything you have done?" I asked, feeling a little teary.
"I am not telling you to trust me. Trust us. Trust my love." Will said, and I felt the terrible ache in my chest throbbing rapidly.
"I always trusted your love, Will. I just don't know how to do it without trusting you!" I said, admitting honestly.
"Give me another chance!" Will said, getting down on his knees.
"Earn it, Will," I said, turning my face to the door.
"Tell me how?" The hints of guilt in his voice made me shiver.
I could feel his breath on my shoulder blade. His hands moved to my front as his front lay pressed to my back. He buried his face in my hair, and I felt the familiar heat coursing through me. Did he know what he was doing? I moved in his embrace, turning around to meet his eyes. He knew damn well what he was doing.
"Eva," He said in a low husky voice.
"Will," I know what he was up to.
"Don't go." He said, his eyes a little teary.
"Not this time," I said, placing my hands on his shoulder as I took my time looking at him. He had no idea how much I missed him. He wasn't supposed to know.
"You want to know how to earn my trust? Stop manipulating my decisions. Let me be me." I said as my arms went around him, pulling him into a hug.
"Okay." He said, breathing into my hair as he pulled me tighter against him.
"I love you, Eva." He said, and I felt my body tremble at the words.
"Hmmm," I whispered, and he let go of me.
I went across the alley, into my bedroom, and found Bruno. I hugged Bruno tight as tears ran across my cheeks. Bruno woofed.
"I know I am a dumbass. But, I love Will." I said, and Bruno licked my cheek.
The rest of the night, I stared at the glow stars, holding Bruno close, and dreamt of an alternative universe where life sucked a little less.