Page 10 of Where There's A Will
Bree’s eyebrows shot up and she met my gaze. She began to open her mouth to say something, but I kicked her swiftly before she could speak.
“Oh, is that what he said?” I snickered. Pretending I had spotted a table somewhere over the other side of the room, I grabbed Bree’s arm and dragged her from her stool, making sure the three of them got to watch my ass as I stalked away.
“What was that all about?” Bree demanded when were away from them.
“Hugo told them he dumped me. How dare he? He was the one who was doing a hostess!” I was fuming.
I’d been waiting a solid month for Hugo to come to his senses and realise I was the one for him. We’d been together a year and I thought the relationship was going somewhere. At the last engagement party we’d been to he’d whispered in my ear that we’d be next and I truly thought we would be. Right up until I found him with that hostess.
He owed me an apology for that at least.
There was a knock on my door, a light tap, actually making me jump. Stepping away from it, I turned and opened up without thinking.
To my complete surprise the Brit from London stood in the doorway smiling, with a wine bottle and two glasses in his hand.
“Hi,” he said, and my ovaries jumped to attention once again.
“Um, hi?”
We’d only had one quick conversation in the hallway and now, here he was, with a bottle of…I checked out the label…Pinot Noir! I wasn’t normally one to let a stranger into my apartment, but how nefarious could his intentions be, since he lived practically next door?
He waved the bottle at me. “I could always come in and we could get a drink or you can tell me to go away and never darken your doorstep again? It’s your choice and I will abide by whatever you decide.” His baby blues sparkled with mischief, and he half-turned as if to walk away.
“No! Please don’t go, come in. Sorry, you were the last person I expected to see when I opened the door.” I caught hold of his arm, savouring the feel of his firm bicep. I wasn’t letting him go that easily. For a moment, I thought I saw the sparkle dim a little but it soon reignited as he stepped over the threshold.
As Will stood in my apartment, a thought occurred to me.
I’d tried pretty much everything I knew to make sure Hugo knew what he was missing: the makeover, showing off to his friends.
I’d tried everything but dating.
The end of a relationship usually needed a rebound. A couple of weeks ago, I’d toyed with calling Alex, who had been my rebound go-to all through college, which was exactly the way he liked it. Alex didn’t do commitment, but he was hot and he had an Irish accent. It was almost as good as a British one. Almost, but not quite.
If I let Will in, and seduced him properly, I could have that British accent on demand.
Most of all, I could immerse myself in tales of London and all the tips only the natives knew.
Visiting London was top of my bucket list. Whenever we discussed vacations, I would always put it out there and Bree was sick of hearing about it. I had a ‘London Fund’ where I tried to save up for a visit. However, the London Fund usually got pillaged when a financial emergency came about. Like having to get my hair done after Hugo dumped me.
Will headed in the direction of the kitchen. “I didn’t pack a corkscrew. Tell me I don’t need to go back to my place to get one.”
I laughed and joined him, locating the item from one of the drawers and handing it to him.
He uncorked the bottle with ease and splashed a healthy amount into each of the glasses, before passing one to me.
“To new friends,” he said, holding up the glass.
“New friends,” I agreed, clinking mine with his.
We went into the living area and I cleared a space on the floor for us to sit down. My couch was tiny and I wasn’t sure I was quite ready to be up close and personal with Will so soon. Not yet, in any case.
There was an amicable silence as we sipped our drinks. I hadn’t had a glass of Pinot Noir since the night Hugo and I broke up. I’d ordered the most expensive bottle at the restaurant to go with the steak that became part of the epic breakup meal. Bree and I had feasted on the food for days. As I drank, I studied Will again. I knew he looked familiar from our apartment building, but I was starting to get the feeling I’d met him somewhere before. It wasn’t coming to me, though, but I was sure it wouldn’t be long before I knew.
“So, Will, what do you do?” I asked by way of starting a conversation.
“I’m a model-slash-actor,” he replied.
Instantly, I knew what he meant. “Which means you work in a bar or restaurant. Am I right?”
