Page 11 of Ready to Snap
A moment later, the message is edited:
Now that’s settled, have dinner with me.
I don’t know what game he’s playing, but I need to find out before he does something that could get us both in trouble. I tuck my purse under my arm and bring my appletini with me to the host stand. A woman looks up from her tablet and greets, “Good evening. Do you have a reservation?”
“No, but my colleague invited me to join him.”
“Wonderful; I’ll escort you. What is the name under?”
“William Darling.”
She taps and swipes for a moment. “I’m sorry, I don’t have a reservation under a William.”
“Oh, it must be under Will.”
“Ah, yes, right here. Bill Darling, table six. Right this way.” She gestures for me to follow, and my heart leaps into my throat. I could’ve sworn she saidBilland notWill. I reluctantly follow her to the table.
Will’s smile meets his eyes as he sips what appears to be whiskey. “Hey, gorgeous.”
“Hello,Darling.” My tone is clipped, making his pupils dilate. He has a great poker face most days, but I know his tells.
He stands to pull out my chair and I take a seat. He leans in to whisper, “I forgot to tell you how beautiful you look tonight.”
“Thank you, Will.” Once he’s in his, and the hostess is out of earshot, I ask, “Or is itBill?”
“Guilty as charged,Michelle.”
“Is this some sort of joke?”
“No.” His brows pinch.
“Then why?”
“Why what?”
“Why are you here?”
Will’s voice is soft and earnest as he replies, “For you.”
As much as I wish it were true, it doesn’t make any sense. Still, his admission has my heart skipping a beat. “You cancelled once you figured out it was me.”
“Not true,” he insists with a shake of his head and setting down his drink. “I figured it out at the gala.” Eyes wide, I suck in a breath. “It’s not like that. I… Okay, it’s abitlike that. I’m sorry I wasn’t honest with you. I cancelled because you should know I want to have dinner with you asme, not a random guy from a dating app.”
“What are you talking about?” I glance around to ensure no one can hear us and whisper-shout, “We can’t date, Will.”
A small smirk tugs at his lips. “I like it better when you call me Darling. Or my personal favorite,MisterDarling.”
“This isn’t funny.” I fidget with the hem of my dress. “I was just promoted but could get fired in the same day.”
“And I could get let go from the Cougars,” he insists, all humor from his expression gone.
I scoff. “You’re one of the best quarterbacks in the league. No one in their right mind would release you from your contract.”
“Good evening,” a server interrupts, and I hope he didn’t hear any of our conversation. I need to be more careful. “My name is Erik, and I’ll be taking care of you this evening. Isthere anything I can get started for you? Another appletini, or perhaps an appetizer?”
Will’s jaw tics and his eyes never leave mine as he replies, “My dinner companion will not be having another drink. She needs to keep her wits about her for her date later.”
“Very well, would?—”
