Page 88 of Moonstruck at Midnight
“But what if you hate me by then?” I laughed. “Will you still want to cook it?”
“You’re un-hateable. And yes. That’s what come rain or shine means. Keep going.”
“Every year on her death anniversary, I go to church and listen to mass. I’m not religious, but I just feel a little bit closer to her when I do that. And I like buying white flowers—lots of them. And just fill my room with them.
“Well, that’s what I did before, but this year since I now live on my own, I placed a few vases with flowers around the apartment.”
“Okay, so lots of white flowers. I should probably write this stuff down.” He laughed. He was so sweet. “What was her name?”
“María.”
“I love how you say it.María.”
“You actually roll your r’s pretty good. I remember being annoyed by how well you said my name. Nobody really knows how to say it.”
“Gui-llerrrr-mi-na,” he said, poking my nose back. “I don’t know why, but I like your name.”
“Probably because it’s the female version of yours, and you’re not arrogant at all?” I laughed.
“You think I’m arrogant?” He asked with a slight grimace filled with sincere curiosity.
“I did, at some point. But I know there’s this other side to you. And you might not always feel comfortable showing it to everyone. You’d rather have people think whatever they want to think instead of showingyourself. Am I right?” He licked his lips and stared at me, then snorted after a few heartbeats. “What?” I asked after he decided to keep staring at me in silence.
“I know myself. I don’t need to prove myself to anyone. But I’m careful of who I let in, yes. I can’t help it. I um—yeah.”
“Is this got anything to do with your ex? Erin?” I dared ask. I wanted to ask him about it ever since I saw them arguing. William seemed so emotionally drained that night.
“In part, I guess. But not exactly.”
Vague much?
“Did she hurt you?” It was my turn to ask. And I could see in his eyes how my question had made him feel … weird? Uncomfortable? I couldn’t read him. But he had asked me that a few times by now. He always wanted to know if Thomas had hurt me—in any way. And now I wanted to know ifshehad hurt him. Which I was sure she did. I just wanted him to open up to me.
A deep frown made its appearance in between William’s eyes, and I felt the walls coming up, but hey, I’d gotten myself a sledgehammer made out of questions to break that wall down and make him talk. Because I really wanted to listen.
“I guess I deserved it,” he chose as a reply.
“So, she did?” I pressed.
“She cheated on me,” he revealed with heavy eyelids, biting on his lower lip with a shrug to go as in,you tell me.
“WHAT?” William laughed at my reaction as I tried to reduce my eyes’ size back to their relaxed, neutral state. At least I made him laugh. But really …what?
I kept staring at him, wondering things that were not my business, and I wished I could ask, but I couldn’t find it in me to do so. And yes, I was still surprised, but I didn’t let him notice anymore.
“I don’t think anyone deserves that.”Especially you.Because from what I saw, as of recently, I knew he had a good heart. And I mean—look at him.It was my turn to frown. I couldn’t help but think about the doubt that has been feeding off my stomach for the past few weeks regarding Thomas.
“She did me a favor.” He smiled, and it seemed sincere, so I was satisfied. He rolled on his back and placed his hands behind his head, looking up. “I’m doing much better now.”
I rolled on my belly to be able to see his face, and I believed him. He seemed better now than he did back in Midsummer.
“I might understand you better than you think,” I said, pressing my lips together.
“Did that asshole cheat on you?” he asked in a hushed voice, his gaze trained on mine.
“No. I mean, I—I don’t know. I’m not sure. Let’s say I saw something that’s not—encouraging.”And doubt’s a hurtful, whiny bitch.
He lifted his neck and placed a soft kiss on my lips. “Good riddance, then.”
