Page 35 of Once Smitten, Twice Shy

I tip my head, caught off guard by the question. “I do. Kate and Bea used to live with me, but…well, they live with their lovebugs now. It’s just me here these days. Why?”

He scrubs at the back of his neck. “Mind just…checking in later, letting me know you’re okay?”

Something softens inside me. “Will. You don’t have to worry about me, I promise. I fell because I’ve got joint issues, so my knee gives out sometimes. It’s not anything serious. I don’t faint or lose consciousness.”

His shoulders drop with relief. “Well…” He clears his throat. “That’s good at least. I mean, not that your joints give you trouble, just that I’m not going to spend the rest of the day wondering if you’re out cold on the floor with a head wound.”

I bite my lip against a smile. “You still want me to check in, don’t you?”

“Yeah,” he breathes. “I do.”

“Fine.” I let out an exaggerated sigh. “I guess I’ll just have to text you later on. Ooh, you know what, why don’t you get your bang for your buck and practice flirt texting with me while you’re at it?”

He grimaces. “I’m not a good text flirter. I don’t really text, if I can help it.”

I roll my eyes. “You’re such a grandpa.”

“I’m taking that as a compliment.”

A laugh jumps out of me. “Okay, gramps.”

Will’s eyes crinkle, the only way I know I’ve made him smile. He takes a step back. “What time does game night start tomorrow?”

“Oh shoot.” I frown. “Speaking of game night. We still haven’t figured out how we get you invited.”

“I’ll let Petruchio know I’m in town. He’ll invite me. He has before.”

My mouth drops open. “You stinker! Why didn’t you ever come?”

Will looks sheepish, scratching behind his ear. “Because I’m a shy, awkward introvert?”

“Well, I’ve got news for you, Will Orsino. You can still be a shy, awkward introvert and have a great time with these people. We’re all a bunch of weirdos.Funweirdos. I think you’ll have a good time.”

Will’s mouth lifts at the corner, just the slightest. “I think I will, too.”

“Good. It starts at six thirty. When they’re on Saturdays, we start at five and do dinner, but Sundays, we start later. My mom’s real intense about attendance at Sunday family dinner, so I’m going to take the train to my parents’, eat dinner, then head back in and host game night.”

“That works. I’m going to spend the daytime stopping by a couple clients. That’ll probably take me right up to game-night time. You okay with us not meeting for practice tomorrow?”

“Fine by me. Like you said, we got a good first day in under our belts. We have plenty of time.”

He nods, then takes another step back. “All right, then. See you tomorrow.”

“Bye!” I call as he flies down the stairs, taking them two at a time, graceful as a goddamn antelope. If that man weren’t such asweetie, I’d be livid about watching his freakish athleticism, when I can barely walk up a flight of stairs. “Text you later!” I yell. “Make sure you text back! Very flirtatiously!”

“Not a chance!” he calls over his shoulder before he bounds out of my building.

I sigh as I shut my door and slump against it. “Stubborn man. He really is lucky he’s cute.”

•Ten•

Will

My hands are clammy. My heart’s racing. I take a deep breath, then hit the buzzer for Juliet’s apartment.

“Hey!” Her voice is as warm and bright as sunshine. “Come on up!”

I yank open the door when I hear the lock disengage, then take the steps up to the second floor two at a time. If I move any slower, I’ll lose my courage and turn right around.

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