Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 104657 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 523(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104657 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 523(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
My heart plummets into my stomach. Will’s in town, but he didn’t mention it?
“Is this his first time back since he moved?” I ask as we walk toward our cars parked beside each other.
“No. I think it’s like . . . maybe the third.”
It’s happening all over again. William Landry is stabbing a knife into my chest and twisting it side to side.
“He stayed with Maren and Ozzy last time because Lola desperately wanted him to, but he had to drink Benadryl like water to keep his cat allergies from killing him.” She laughs.
I muster a smile, but it’s far from real. He’s keeping me at arm’s length. I get it. The analytical part of my brain knows why, but my heart doesn’t care what my brain says. It just fucking hurts.
“How’s his dad? The last time I texted him, he said his dad was just getting weaker and more confused.”
“You text him?” Jamie asks, stopping at her car door and giving me a raised eyebrow.
I bite my tongue to keep from blurting out the truth, but it’s hard. I swear I can taste blood. “Sometimes.” I smile. “I know you said to let him go. And clearly I have. But that doesn’t mean we can’t be friends.”
However, I’m not a friend, because I’m not invited to Friendsgiving.
Jamie narrows her eyes and slowly nods. “Well, I haven’t seen him today. He arrived after I left for work. We’re hanging out tonight, so I’ll get a chance to catch up. But last week I talked to him. His dad’s been in hospice care for the past month.”
I return a tiny nod and open my mouth to say more but rethink that decision. Everything about Will comes with an asterisk because his dad is dying.
I love him, but his dad is dying.
The chemistry between us never died, but his dad is dying.
I want to scream at him for not coming to see me on his two other trips back to Missoula, but his dad is dying.
“Tell him ‘hi,’” I say. “Sounds like you’re all going to have a fun time.”
“Thanks.” She eyes me, scraping her teeth over her bottom lip. “I’d invite you over tonight, but I’m sure you have—”
“I’d love to come. What time?”
“Um . . .” She pinches the bridge of her nose. I’m sure she’s in panic mode because everyone will be upset that she invited me. Especially Will because he’s an asshole—but his dad is dying. “Seven?”
“Perfect.” I grin. “What can I bring?”
“Oh, nothing. We’ll uh—”
I flick my wrist at her. “I’ll figure it out. Thanks for the invite. See ya soon.”
Jamie is a baker. I’ve heard that Ozzy is a grill king. So I pick up pints of ice cream from Sweet Peaks, including Campfire S’mores and Griz Tracks, which I’ve heard are Lola’s favorites. Is it too cold for ice cream? I hope not.
Why am I so nervous to see Will? It’s been three months. We’ve texted. No big deal. But as I step out of my car parked along the street and adjust my black sweater over my faded jeans, my hands shake. I haven’t felt this unnerved, even speaking in front of auditoriums full of my colleagues.
“Breathe,” I whisper to myself, clenching the bag of ice cream as I make my way to the front door.
“Hey,” Jamie says while opening the door with the festive fall wreath. “Come in. Everyone is out back by the grill. There are hanging heaters, so it’s not too chilly.”
“I brought ice cream. Lola’s favorite.” I smile.
“Oh. That was nice of you, but Lola’s not here. She’s spending the night with a friend.” Jamie takes the bag from me and puts it in the freezer. “Come on.” She nods toward the deck door.
My heart might explode. William Landry is the most dangerous drug.
“Look who made it,” Jamie says.
“Hi,” everyone chimes at the same time.
“How have you been?” Maren asks, standing from a rocker to give me a hug.
I nearly cry because I just want to be one of the friends.
The chair next to her has a sweatshirt draped over the back. It’s probably Ozzy’s.
There are two outdoor love seats separated by a fire table. Will’s on one, and Jamie sits on the other, tucking her legs underneath her fuzzy gray sweater.
Do I sit next to her? Will Fitz mind? Before I can make this monumentally challenging decision, Jamie nods toward Will. “Scooch to make room for Everleigh. Surely, you two can get along for one night.” She winks at me.
Why? Were they talking about me before I arrived? Or is she silently teasing me because she knows I’m head over heels for this man?
Will moves to one side and gives me a head-to-toe inspection as I squeeze past Maren’s legs to sit next to him.
You are a doctor. A brilliant psychiatrist. Act like it!