Page 34 of Ready to Snap
She glances up, adjusting her glasses. “Will, you’ve spoken about this woman in nearly every session for the past few years. That’s over one hundred mentions of her name. It should be nosurprise to anyone here that you’ve developed feelings for her, but I would highly recommend you take time to get to know one another in a romantic capacity before that kind of declaration.”
“It’s going to be difficult,” I sigh, rubbing a hand down my face. “I’m in love with a woman who’s starting a new job that’s not local.”
Ronan straightens his posture. “Is she coming to Cork?”
Even if our conversations in therapy are confidential, Nora is her best friend, and I don’t know if Elle’s told her. I don’t want to put Ronan in an awkward position, and stick with a safe response. “I don’t feel comfortable sharing exactly where. I can say she thankfully won’t be moving overseas.”
“Long distance is not that bad. Scarlett and I had to survive it for a while,” Russ offers. “We talked or texted every day…among other things.” He smirks, and I stifle a laugh.
“In my professional opinion, this may be for the best,” Vicky speculates. “Your relationship is very new, Will. Distance will eliminate the physical component, so you can focus on building a solid emotional foundation.”
She’s right, even if I’ll miss the fuck out of Elle. I’m used to seeing her nearly every day, and now I’ll be lucky if it’s once a month until I retire. I’m jealous of Russ—not because I’m worried about him stealing my girl. Every day, he’ll get to see Elle’s infamous eye-roll when she spars with him. He’ll get to witness her passion for her work, her wit… and those pouty little lips I’m already craving.
“You’ll be fine, mate,” Lucas insists with a nod.
“Nora and I were friends for a year before she moved here,” Ronan adds. “We talked every day. Now she’s my wife, and I’m a stepdad.”
“Ronan’s sister was my flatmate,” Luc jests. “And now she’s my wife.”
“Thanks for the reminder, arsehole,” Ronan groans with little malice behind it. The two of them are best friends, and I can’t help laughing at their dynamic. Both of them being married with kids has me longing for the same.
“Friendship is the strongest foundation you can ask for.” Vicky writes something in her notebook, then continues, “You spent the past couple of years insisting she was your enemy. As the other gentlemen often pointed out—dozens of times—you’ve been masking your feelings for her. You don’t have to anymore. Be open and honest about what you want, but you should accept that she may or may not be in the same place you are.”
“You were a bit of a dick to her,” Russ laughs, and the others join in. “Elle is great. She helped me when I was dealing with my own PR crisis and never once judged me. She’s a good woman. Fuck it up, and I’ll make the trip to New York just to kick your hoser ass.”
Ronan agrees, “I’m pretty sure Nora would insist I do the same.”
“All right, gentlemen. We’re getting a little off track. Thank you for sharing, Will. Russ, is there anything you’d like to go over?”
“Nope,” he replies, popping the ‘p.’
Vicky checks in with Lucas about his recent retirement and asks Ronan about his sensory challenges. After the call, there are texts from each of them, but I let them know I need to see about a girl.
I make my way downstairs to find Elle with earbuds in, singing off-key to a song I can’t place. She’s eating ice creamout of the pint, wearing only my shirt—and there’s nothing sexier in the world than seeing her this comfortable in my kitchen. I sneak up behind her, wrapping my arms around her middle. She startles for a second, then twists in my arms to face me.
This is how it was always supposed to be, if we hadn’t been such stubborn assholes. I’m done fighting whatever this is between us. It may take time, but this—coming home after a game or a workout to my feisty-as-fuck girl—is exactly what I want.
I lift Elle onto the counter, and gently take out her earbuds, setting them aside. “Hey, gorgeous.”
“Hey! How was your call?”
“Good. How was yours?”
“Nora says hi,” she teases, and I love that she has someone to talk to—even if it’s a friend and not a therapist right now.
“How’s the ice cream?” I take a small spoonful from the pint. Just as it nears my lips, I twist my wrist, sending a few drops of the melted ice cream dripping onto her thigh. “Oops… guess I better clean that up.” Her breath catches as my tongue glides along her sweet skin. “Hmm. It’s good, but I can think of something else I’d rather eat.”
CHAPTER 13
ELLE
William Darling is a menace. The man acts as if he didn’t make me come twice before his call. I selfishly lean back on my elbows and let him work. With my dry spell officially coming to a screeching halt, I try my hardest to keep my emotions at bay and fail. I’ve been riding a serotonin and dopamine high since last night, and I don’t foresee it letting up until I leave for my new job.
Pressing soft kisses up my leg, I ache for more as he whispers, “Do you trust me?”
“Yes,” I breathe, without an ounce of hesitation. He wraps my legs around his waist and lifts me off the counter, walking us out of the kitchen. “What about the ice cream?”
Will takes two steps back, and grabs it, handing it to me. “Good point. We’re bringing it with us.”
