“Tell you what,” Levi said, “think about it and give me a call. Let me know what you’re thinking and when you want to start.”
“Will do,” Dylan said, reaching out and shaking Levi’s hand. “Thanks.”
It wasn’t until Levi was out the door that Will turned to Dylan with total annoyance. “Dude! What the hell?”
“What?”
“That was going to be a side job for me. Me! And you just totally swooped in and took over like I wasn’t even here!” He was beyond frustrated and he moved away, raking a hand through his hair. Then he began to pace.
“I understand this is your business and it probably wasn’t right for Levi to come here to talk to me about it, but you knew I’d be using the shop to do some of the work! I’ve done it in the past and you never had a damn problem with it. So what gives?”
For his part, Dylan said nothing. He still had his arms crossed and was watching Will pace with only mild interest. And a small smirk.
Bastard.
“And what do you need a couple of weeks for?” he went on when his boss stayed quiet. “You know whenever I do one of these jobs that I do it after hours so that I don’t mess with your schedule. I don’t screw around with any of your inventory and I clean up after myself!”
If Dylan wanted to say anything, Will wasn’t aware because he was pacing and ranting and not even looking at him.
“I’m good at what I do. Damn good! I may have been a screw up at one point in time, but I’m not that guy anymore. And you know what? I can do that bodywork. I know I can. With the right equipment, I can do it. And I have money saved up so that I can have the right equipment. I can set it up in my garage at home and…”
“Will?”
But he wasn’t paying attention. “…it will be tight in there, but I’ll make it work. I’ll probably have to build a bigger garage space, but I’ve got enough room on the property. Maybe I’ll have to get some special permits – actually, I know I will – but it can be done. And if I’m going to do that, then I might as well just do all of the side work there. Then I won’t have to use your garage.”
“Will?” Dylan repeated.
“So if you’re going to take this job from me and do Levi’s car, then go ahead. I’ll work on setting up my own space and advertising my own body shop!” He finally paused to take a breath, hands on his hips, and faced Dylan defiantly. “What do you think of that?” he snapped.
“Are you done?”
With a steadying breath, Will nodded. Now that he’d had a moment, he felt a little ridiculous – like he majorly over-reacted. But…it was uncool that Dylan would pull a dick move like that and take over a job that essentially belonged to Will.
“Okay, for starters, I didn’t mean to…swoop in. I got caught up in what Levi was saying and it got me thinking.”
“About what? Taking my side job away?”
Dylan rolled his eyes. “Are you done being a drama queen?”
Was he? Will couldn’t say for sure. So he simply stood and waited.
“I’ll take your silence as a yes. Anyway, it got me thinking that Levi brought up a valid point. There is no one in town who does auto body work. Everyone has to go into Lincoln for it and that kind of sucks. But up until now, no one’s really made me want to reconsider that.”
“Reconsider it how?”
Stepping around the counter, Dylan approached him. “Like expanding.”
Was he serious? Will wondered. His conversation with Serena from a few weeks ago came to his mind. “As in the building or the business in general?”
Dylan shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe both. I’m not saying that I’ve got it all worked out. It would be a fairly big undertaking. The cost alone isn’t something that I have budgeted. I’m sure I could come up with it but…it’s still a big decision to make. Alone.”
At the word “alone,” Dylan gave him a meaningful look. Was he…could he be asking what Will thought he was asking?
Swallowing hard, Will straightened his posture, did his best to appear confident. “You could take on a partner.”
“I could.”
“It wouldn’t have to be fifty-fifty or anything, but…if you had someone who had the money to put up and the knowledge…”
“The skill. The talent,” Dylan prompted.
“Exactly.” He paused. “Would you consider it?”
“I believe I already am. Have been for a while. Just didn’t know that you were prepared to do such a thing.”
Will’s eyes went wide. “Dude, you better not be messing with me right now.”
At the mild threat, Dylan chuckled. “I think you know me well enough to know that I don’t mess around where the business is concerned.”
Part of him wanted to jump up and whoop with pure giddiness but he also knew he needed to seem at least a little bit professional. “So um…do we uh…shake on it or something?”
A large grin crossed Dylan’s face as he held out his hand. “Welcome aboard, partner.”
****
“That is amazing news!” Serena said later that night. “I know it’s something you’ve been wanting. You must be so happy!”
“I’d be happier if you were here with me right now to celebrate,” Will grumbled.
“Well…maybe I can call in sick tomorrow and drive down tonight. Rush hour is over and done with so I should be able to make good time…
“Don’t mess with me on this,” he said and she could hear him grinning.
She really could use a day off…
“I don’t want to get you in trouble with your boss,” he said when she didn’t comment.
“Are you kidding me? You may be saving me from having a meltdown at the office.”
“I’m sorry. Here I am bragging about my good day and yours wasn’t.”
It was so typical of him – to apologize when there was no reason. “Will, you don’t have to apologize because you had great news.”
“Still…I should have asked how your day was first.”
“Then I would have ruined the big reveal,” she teased. “Let me go and get packed up and I’ll call when I’m in the car.”
“Serena…I…” He paused and she had a feeling he was feeling just like she was. Or maybe he was just in a really good mood. Either way, she wasn’t ready to hear it. Even if she wasn’t sure what it was.
“I’ll see you soon!” she said cheerily and quickly hung up. And in no time she packed her weekend bag and dashed out the door.
Nine
SERENA WAS BARELY out of the car when Will scooped her up and swung her around, kissing her deeply.
“You’re here,” he said between kisses. “You’re really here.”
She couldn’t help but laugh. “A full day early. Yeah, us!”
He put her down and reached into her backseat for her bag and then led her to the house. It was after eight and they’d both worked all day – and this seemed so…spur of the moment, that she wasn’t sure what they were going to do.
“Have you had dinner?” he asked.
“I did,” she said regretfully. The man had serious skills in the kitchen. “I made a little chicken stir-fry. Nothing great.”
He grinned. “I just grilled a couple of burgers. Nothing wild here either.” They just stood there in the middle of the living room, smiling. “What would you say about going out for a little while for some drinks? We could go to the Come Again…see who’s around.”
This was a big step and she knew it. They hadn’t exactly been hiding out, but they weren’t particularly sociable on their weekends together – only with each other.
“I’d like that,” she said and chuckled at the look of relief on his face. “You want to celebrate, don’t you?”
He shrugged, gave her a lopsided grin. “Dylan and I talked a lot this afternoon and we’re not going to make an announcement about it until we get some estimates on the building expansion and the equipment. So…we’re celebrating, but quietly. Dylan mentioned he and Chloe
would probably be out tonight so…” He shrugged.
“What are we waiting for then?”
Will tugged her in close and then let his hands slowly travel up until his fingers caressed her face. “Is it wrong that I’d rather celebrate here alone with you?”
Hell no, she thought. If anything, she could really go for a whole lot of alone celebrating with him. But…it was time. She really should get to know his friends more and…even though he couldn’t make a big deal out of it, she wanted to celebrate his big news.
Rather than answering right away, she kissed him. Kissed him until they were both breathless – those were the best kind – and as soon as they caught their breath, she leaned in and kissed him again.
He whispered her name as his lips grazed her cheek, her jaw, her throat. She knew if they didn’t put on the brakes right now, they’d never go out. Slowly she pulled back, cupped his face in her hands and sighed dreamily. “Later,” she whispered.
“That wasn’t very fair,” he murmured.
“What can I say? You kiss like a dream.”
They both laughed and Will took a step back. “You’re never going to let me forget that, are you?”
“Nope!”
Sapphire Falls wasn’t a particularly large town and Will lived close to the downtown area, so it took no more than ten minutes to walk through the doors of the Come Again. The music was fairly loud and there wasn’t a big crowd but there was definitely a good gathering of people.
Will had her hand in his as they made their way across the room. Serena felt every eye on her and felt a little self-conscious about it. She kept a smile on her face but was ridiculously relieved when they spotted Dylan by the bar. There was a woman standing beside him – beaming, really – and Serena had to assume she was Dylan’s fiancé, Chloe.
Which was confirmed a minute later as Will made the introductions.
“It is so good to meet you!” Chloe said, hugging her. “Dylan told me all about you – Will has too,” she chuckled. “But we were beginning to wonder if the two of you were ever going to come and hang out!”
Dylan said hello and ordered them a round of beers. Before she knew it, there was a small group of people surrounding them, all clamoring for an introduction.
She met Kate and Levi Spencer – with Will explaining that Levi had a classic car that he’d be bringing in for extensive restoration work. They seemed like a very nice couple and when Levi ribbed Will a bit about not having a reason to work the kissing booth at the Halloween festival, Will took it in stride.
And it just made her love him more.
Then she was introduced to Hailey and Ty Bennett. Ty had done no more than say hi before his wife started instantly chatting. “So….you’re the elusive kissing booth girl!” she gushed. “I love that!” She hugged Serena and then looked toward Kate and Chloe. “C’mon, let’s go grab a table and talk. Leave the guys here.”
In the blink of an eye, Serena found herself sitting at a table with three sets of eyes staring at her expectantly.
“So…um…yeah,” she murmured and took a long pull of her beer.
“How did you finally find Will?” Kate asked.
“Did you really never talk to him at any of those festivals?” Chloe asked.
“How did you manage to get in and out of the crowds every time without anyone stopping you?” Hailey asked with a big grin.
“Was it only Will that you wanted to kiss?” Kate asked.
“Is he as good of a kisser as he claims to be?” Chloe added.
“And why Sapphire Falls? I mean, I know we are totally awesome here, but did you just happen to luck out and find our festivals or did you plan it out?” Kate quickly added.
“Are you coming to the Halloween festival? It’s our first one but it’s going to be awesome! I don’t think Will’s working the kissing booth this year, but maybe we’ll let him make an exception this year,” Hailey said, still grinning.
“Wow…” Serena said, trying to figure out where to begin. She was just about to speak when Chloe burst out laughing.
“I have to admit,” Chloe began, looking over at Hailey, “that felt pretty damn good!”
Confused, Serena looked at her and then at Hailey. “Did I miss something?”
Chloe leaned on the table a little. “When I first showed up in town and people found out I was staying with Dylan, Hailey was one of the first to come and introduce herself – along with our friend Phoebe – and they grilled me like that. It was completely overwhelming to be on the receiving end of, but it’s a lot of fun to do!” She laughed and soon they all joined in.
Even Serena.
It was hard not to. They were all friendly and seemed genuinely interested in her and Will’s story and…she just got a good vibe with them. So…following Chloe’s lead, she leaned on the table, looked at them and grinned.
“I came to town to find him. We never talked. I’m a fast walker. Will’s the only one I wanted to kiss after that very first time. This was the only town festival I’d ever gone to but I’m totally looking forward to the Halloween one and…” She noticed they were all holding their breath. “And he kisses like a damn dream.”
They all hooted and high fived her and in that moment, Serena knew she’d made some great new friends.
****
It was after eleven and Will was starting to yawn a bit more as the day caught up with him. Dylan nudged him on the shoulder. “Huh…what?” he said, realizing he was close to dozing off.
“Tell you what, you once did me a favor so it’s my turn.”
Was he really half-asleep or was Dylan talking in circles? “What are you talking about?”
“Go and grab Serena – the girls have been gossiping with her long enough – and go home. Take tomorrow – and the weekend – off. I don’t want to see you until Monday.”
Will’s eyes went wide. “Dylan…I can’t do that. We’re working on plans! I’ve got calls to make to a couple of suppliers…”
“And if you want to, you can do that from home. Seriously, Will, grab your girl and go home. She drove down early to spend time with you and you guys deserve a nice long weekend together.”
It sounded like heaven to him. “Are you sure? I don’t want to leave you shorthanded.”
“You’re not. We’ll cover it. Just like you did for me and Chloe.”
“If memory serves, I only gave you a half a day for that,” Will joked.
Dylan laughed and then shrugged. “It was still worth it. Now…I’m the boss and I’m telling you that I don’t want to see you at the shop until Monday so…go.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice.”
“I’ve told you three times and if you don’t move your ass, I’ll have to say it a fourth. Then I may rescind my offer.”
Will finished off the bottle of water he’d been drinking for the last hour and slammed it on the bar. “I’m going, I’m going!” he said as he shook Dylan’s hand. “Thanks, man. I appreciate it.” He said a quick goodbye to Ty and Levi and a blanket goodbye to everyone around him as he made his way across the room to where Serena was sitting with Kate, Chloe and Hailey.
Over the last few hours, he’d danced with her, shared a drink with her and even played a game of darts with her, but the girls always drew her back to the table and he realized…he liked that. It would be awesome if she made friends here in Sapphire Falls. Maybe it would be enough that eventually she’d want to move here with him.
He stopped dead in his tracks.
It wasn’t just that he wanted her to move here with him as in living with him – like roommates with benefits – he wanted Serena to move here with him to…create a life with him.
Love him.
Marry him.
Holy shit.
His heart rate kicked up and he was glad she wasn’t looking at him because he was sure he looked a little shocked. Will already knew he was in love with her – was probably in love with her before he even got to know her. But this was the fir
st time that he thought along those lines and knew that he wanted to plan a future with her.
Like now.
Was he crazy? Was this too soon? Would it freak her out if he brought it up? He took a step forward just as she turned and smiled at him and there it was…like a punch in the gut. She took his breath away. Did she even realize how amazing she was? How beautiful? How the hell had he gotten so lucky to have someone like her hunting him down because of a silly town kissing booth?
He startled when Hailey stepped up in front of him, grinning. “You’ve got it bad, William,” she said saucily. “And it’s adorable.”
“Adorable?” he repeated. “Seriously?”
“The look on your face a few seconds ago was priceless,” she said. With a bit of a head tilt, she studied him. “Do you even realize how head over heels you are?”
“Geez, Hales…”
She waved him off. “No worries. The rest of us do.”
“Shit.”
She chuckled and patted him gently on the cheek. “And just for the record, she’s awesome. Seriously awesome. The perfect fit for our little town.”
“You’re telling the wrong person,” he said before he could stop himself. “If it were up to me, she’d be living here already.”
“Does she know that?”
He shook his head. “Kind of afraid to bring it up. I don’t want to spook her or make it seem like I’m rushing her.”
Hailey nodded. “I get it. I do. We all gave her the hard-sell here tonight so maybe we paved the way for you.” She paused. “Although, I have to admit, we’re all a little bummed that we won’t be able to make bets on whether or not your elusive kissing partner is going to show up. It was becoming an interesting part of the festivals. What are we gonna do now?”
“Ha, ha. Very funny.”
She sighed dramatically. “I guess we’ll have to find some other unsuspecting couple to bet on.”
“Are you sure you don’t just have a gambling problem?” he teased.
“Now who’s being funny?”
“Well, sorry we can no longer entertain the town. I’m hoping to slip under the radar this year and simply enjoy a festival as an attendee and not a participant for everyone to make fun of.”
Sapphire FallsGoing To Be Yours Page 6