Page 20 of Once Smitten, Twice Shy

This is my existence these days—the perennial seventh wheel.

Just as I’m about to settle in for a nice little mope, my phone buzzes in my dress pocket. My stomach flips. I have a message from an unknown number, but I know right away who it is.

Hi, Juliet. Sorry I’m just texting. Had to get caught up on everything around here, but I finally have a moment to myself. These are all the dates for the next month that I’m free. I can come down for all of those days or just some of them, whatever you want.

This is Will by the way.

A smile lifts my mouth as I scan the dates that he’s sent. He’s made himself free to come down every weekend for the next month.

Juliet:That’s an awful lot of driving, Duke Orsino. You sure you’re up for coming down every weekend?

Will:Anything for the Lady Juliet.

I barely muffle a squeal, kicking my feet under the table. Good grief, he’s adorable.

Will:That was weird, wasn’t it? Calling you Lady Juliet. I was trying to riff off the duke thing, but now I’m second guessing myself.

I bite my lip against my smile as I type back.

Juliet:I thought the “Lady Juliet” was pretty darn cute, but the real winner is you told a gal you’d do anything for her. That right there, 10 out of 10, no notes.

Juliet:Also, I’m free all of those dates during the daytime. Just a couple evenings I’ve got friend group plans, but we can practice during the daytime (& you could join the friend fun in the evening!).

Will:Well, that was easy.

Juliet:Well, I’m an easy girl.

I groan, realizing what I just said, and start to type as fast as my stiff fingers will let me.

Juliet:I meant in the convenience sense of easy, not the sexual sense.

Juliet:Now I’ve said “sexual” & it’s totally worse.

Will:Here I was, thinking your make out example yesterday was intense…

I grimace, embarrassed all over again.

Juliet:I TOLD YOU I’M RUSTY. I haven’t flirtatiously bantered in over half a year. Cut me some slack!

Will:I haven’t flirtatiously bantered in ever, so you’re better off than me.

Juliet:Well, I’m glad you’re free next weekend, so we can both start leveling up.

Will:I’m glad you’re free, too. Want to meet for coffee somewhere Saturday morning? Any time after 10am will work. You name the place.

Juliet:Sure! How’s 10:30 at Boulangerie?

I send him a pin with the location of one of my favorite coffee and pastry spots.

Will:Got it. I’ll be there, prepared to offer my best (terrible) attempts at flirtation.

A smile tugs at my mouth so wide, it makes my cheeks ache.

Juliet:I’ll come prepared to swoon.

“What’s that beaming smile for?” Mom asks. Dad turns and glances my way, followed by my sisters, then Christopher and Jamie, all their faces painted with curiosity.

I pocket my phone, still smiling, feeling a lot less like the sad little seventh wheel than when I first sat down.

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