Page 1 of Wild Ever After
Chapter One
“Youarestill planning to come to Pat’s tonight, right?”
Belinda smiled at the friendly male voice and shook her head. “Will… This really isn’t necessary.”
“It’s your birthday. Of course, it’s necessary.” He stepped into her small office and stopped in front of her desk. Palms flat on the cluttered surface, he wasn’t going to budge until she looked up. Which she did.
No one could resist Professor Will Wallace. Not when he insisted on always being right and getting the answers he wanted.
“That’s just it. It’smybirthday. Shouldn’t I have a say in how I celebrate it?”
“By all means. What plans do you have?”
“I…”
“Let me guess. Dinner. Wine. Netflix.”
“And cake. You forgot the cake.”
He shook his head. “Unacceptable. We are taking you to Pat’s for drinks and over to Sunday’s for a very nice dinner.”
“Is there any way at all that I can get out of this?”
“Nope.”
“None?”
“Unless you count death and I don’t, so, no.”
“You drive a hard bargain Will Wallace.”
“And don’t you forget it. Seven sharp, Belinda or I’ll come drag you there myself.”
“I don’t know how your wife would feel about that.”
“She’d help.”
Belinda laughed at the wink he graced her with. Yes, Keira would likely assist him in dragging Belinda by her hair from her apartment across town to Pat’s. There was no arguing with either of them.
Keira had a stubborn streak a mile wide. And a very giving and loyal heart.
Will was just flat out tenacious when he wanted something and what he wanted was to give her a birthday party.
“Fine. You win.”
“I always do.”
“Get out.” Belinda laughed and pointed to the door. “Get out before I change my mind.”
“Seven. Sharp.”
“Not a second later. I promise.”
“Good. And bring your appetite.”
He sauntered out of her office, whistling the Happy Birthday song. Belinda groaned and dropped her head to her folded arms. She was at the tail end of grading finals and as much as she loved teaching, she was thrilled to be taking the summer off. She had taught three semesters straight and was in desperate need of a break. Her daughter, Riley had been after her to get away, to take a vacation, and that’s exactly what she planned to do.
Though, it would help to have a destination in mind.
