Page 31 of Can't Help Falling in Love
“Smooth. Speaking of that,” she said, pausing when a waitress dropped off their flight. “We should talk.”
He wanted to do a hell of a lot more than talk, but first, he needed to figure out how to get a third date. She was a complete surprise. Will didn’t like surprises. He liked planning things out, knowing the path he was on, and making the decisions for himself. But everything about Alexandria Danby made him feel like he wasn’t driving this vehicle. He was simply along for the ride. Instead of fighting it, he just wanted to see where it took them.
Twelve
It took effort to keep from fidgeting as Will looked at her across the small table. She wasn’t even sure why she’d come, other than sorting out the whole engagement thing. And the fact that something about him—the way he looked at her like he really wanted to see her, the way he listened like what she said mattered—soothed and excited her at the same time. She liked him. There was a lot of space between alone and never falling in love. Perhaps she could dabble in the middle.
A waitress far more proficient than she was dropped off a selection of beers in small glasses. “Ethan said to send this over. Nice to see you, Will.”
“You too,” he said. “Thank you.”
When she left, heading to the table full of women who’d checked out Will more than once, Lexi tried to figure out what to say, coming up blank.
To distract herself, she looked at the selection of four beers in varying shades of amber, like a liquid color palette designed especially for fall.
Lexi stared at the beers, picking up the little cards with their names. “I’ve never done a beer tasting.”
Will leaned in. “I have but I haven’t tried any of these. They’reall new. Alexandria.” Her full name on his lips slid over her skin delightfully.
She looked at him. “Can they print a retraction? An apology to your family?”
“I want to date you. I like you and would like to get to know you. We could go the retraction route but it’ll make things more complicated when I convince you to keep seeing me.”
She laughed, played with the little card in her hand that read:APPLE ORCHARD. “What if I came to break up with you?”
Will smiled, picked up the short glass, smelled it. “Ouch. I think you’re honest enough with yourself to admit to both of us that you’re interested.”
He started to take a sip when she said, “Maybe I just want to sleep with you.”
Coughing, he widened his eyes. Lexi felt a bit bad for blurting it out like that but he was right about being honest with both of them.
Amusement sparkled in his gaze, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “I think that would require a third date.” He took another small sip.
When he set the glass down, she picked it up, smelled, watching him over the rim as he watched her, coughed a bit more.
“Hmm,” she said, after a sip. “It actually tastes like apples.”
Will cleared his throat. “Granny Smith.”
She nodded, set it down. “Yeah. A little bitter but I like it.” She smiled at him. “You okay?”
Heat underscored the amusement in his gaze. “I’m good.”
“How did your family take the engagement?” She picked up the next glass, the scent of citrus and cinnamon mingling together in a welcoming mixture.
“Shock, irritation, amusement, support, and skepticism. That would be in order of person. Mom, dad, grandfather, younger sister, older sister.”
“Wow. That’s a lot of people. Did you tell them it was a mistake?”
He shook his head. “My sisters know. And your friend. And now, Ethan.” He leaned forward, touched his hand to her arm. “I’m sorry about this. I truly am. But I’m not sorry I met you or that I’m spending time with you.”
He was so sincere. It tugged at places in her heart she thought she’d closed off. “It’s likely Becca’s post was the start of it so I should be apologizing to you. She sent a text today apologizing that she shared without making sure I didn’t mind first.” His thumb stroked over the sensitive skin of her inner wrist. She startled and the beer sloshed over the rim. She set the glass down, licked her fingers, and became all too aware of Will watching her.
Heat blazed between their locked gazes. Lexi looked away first. “Maybe I should ask for the retraction and make an apology statement.” She sipped the beer. “This one has cinnamon. It makes it too spicy. Less natural.” She passed it to Will, their fingers touching. Her body shouldn’t feel all shimmery from a touch.
“You have nothing to apologize for,” Will said.
“Uh, sat down at your table, dragged you to a party, fake engagement news. There might be a few things.”
