Page 87 of What I'm Looking For

“You think?” One brow arches. “You’re not sure?”

I take another step back. “I don’t know what’s going to happen between Will and me, but… I didn’t really feel anything, you know? I mean, of course you’re really attractive and all, but?—”

“I got it.” He swipes a hand through the air. “And to be honest, I wasn’t really feeling it, either. But you can’t blame a guy for trying, right?”

“I guess not.” I hold out my hand to shake his. “Friends?”

He grabs it and twirls me. “Come on—just because we’re not going to bump uglies doesn’t mean we can’t dance, does it? Let’s hit it one more time before we call it a night.”

I huff out a laugh. “All righty then.”

He pulls me toward the ballroom. “But listen, your cousin Tina is pretty hot. Mind if I dance with her next?”

I roll my eyes. How quickly he’s moved on. “Just don’t let anybody see you leave with her.”

He opens the door for me and steps aside to let me pass. “No problem.”

At least he plays the part of a gentleman well.

Chapter24

BEEP. Sunday, 11:05 a.m.

Hey Kate, it’s Will. It’s been a long weekend but I just want to let you know I’ve been thinking about you. And I miss you. I hope you’ll still come to the party at Deb and Pam’s today. There’ll be a ton of people there so I don’t know if we can, like, really talk. But I’d like to see you.

KATE

If Will hadn’t called, there’s no way I’d brave a party this afternoon. I’m exhausted and have had enough of big crowds for one weekend. But just the sound of his voice on the machine had my heart jumping up and down. I know it’s not going to be easy, but I think we have a chance to make things work.

Pam waves metal tongs in greeting as I climb the back porch steps. “Kate! You’re here!” She’s manning two grills at once. “Hope you’re hungry. We’ve got plenty of food.”

“Thanks, maybe in a bit.” I search the crowded back yard. “Is Will here?”

“Oh, yeah.” She rolls fat sausages with the tongs and then grabs a giant metal spatula to flip burgers. “He’s definitely here somewhere. Maybe check inside?”

“Thanks.” Weaving through the throng, I recognize a few faces, probably from the play. When I finally make it to the door, another woman tries to enter at the same time as me.

“You go ahead,” she says. The near-empty glass in her hand and her slurred words suggest she’s been at the party for some time.

I gesture to let her go first. “No, after you.”

As she crosses the threshold, voices inside chorus, “Callie!”

I freeze. Callie? Isn’t that the name of Will’s old girlfriend? Reminding myself that she’s in L.A., I thread my way through the kitchen and notice Deb beyond the group that’s exclaiming surprise at seeing this Callie as they hug greetings. And ask her about L.A. Suddenly my stomach doesn’t feel so good.

Maybe this isn’t the best time to tell Will that I want us to be a couple.

That maybe I love him.

I turn to head back the way I came, but Deb catches me and pulls me in for a hug. “Kate! So glad you came.”

When we step back from the hug, Deb’s face pales. Perhaps registering the fact that the infamous Callie is standing not five feet away?

Before I can make an excuse to leave, she’s propelled me out of the kitchen, through the dining room to the living room, peppering me with questions all the way. “How was your trip? Was the wedding fun? Did you catch the bouquet? Did you get something to eat? Drink? Can I get you anything?”

“No, I just came to catch up with Will.” The house is so full of people claustrophobia adds to the roil of my stomach. “I didn’t realize this was such a big party.”

Deb sighs as she sinks into the couch. “Yeah, it seems to get bigger every year. But it’s fun. So, how are things?” She pats the cushion next to her. “Take a load off. He’s around somewhere.”

---