by Aurora Rey
Even if she didn’t always believe it, Will appreciated hearing it. “Thanks. I’m not sure what I’m going to do yet, but thanks either way.”
Emerson punched her in the arm. “I hope it all works out so I can tease you about your inadvertent love triangle.”
Will cringed. “Really?”
Emerson shrugged. “Too soon?”
“Yeah. By, oh I don’t know, a billion years.” Just the phrase ‘love triangle’ gave her a stomachache.
“Sorry.”
Maybe if she and Nora lived happily ever after, it would be funny. Maybe. “Whether I reach out to Nora or not, I’m going to see her next week at Graham’s graduation. I promised Graham I would be there.”
Emerson nodded slowly. “Well, there’s that. I’ll just leave you with a little piece of advice a very wise person gave me not that long ago.”
Will raised a brow. “Are you about to tell me I should grovel?”
“No, because unlike me, you didn’t make a total ass of yourself.”
Right. She needed to remember that. “Okay, what then?”
“Are you in love with her?”
There was no point in denying it. “Completely.”
“Then value that enough to fight for it. Don’t sell yourself short. You can’t expect Nora to take you seriously if you don’t.”
“Huh.” Will took a deep breath. “Did I give you that advice?”
“Not this time.”
“Where’d it come from, then?”
Emerson smiled and shrugged. “Liam.”
“Smart kid.”
“You don’t know the half of it.”
Chapter Twenty-three
“I’m just saying it would make sense for the two of you to ride together.” This was the third phone call in as many days and Graham’s message hadn’t changed.
Nora stopped pacing the length of the kitchen long enough to pinch the bridge of her nose. “I appreciate you trying to patch things up, Graham, but I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“But if you shared the driving, it would be better for the environment.”
“I’m not against carpools. This situation is more complicated than that.”
“Maybe being in a car together for eight hours is exactly what you need to clear the air.”
“There’s nothing to clear.”
“Okay, you’re always obstinate, but now you’re just lying.”
How could she explain to Graham that this wasn’t a simple fight she and Will needed to make up from? She’d first have to find a way to explain that she and Will weren’t in an actual relationship to begin with. At least, not a real one.
That’s what Nora continued to tell herself as the days passed. As much as it might have felt like they’d crossed the line into something like a relationship, Nora refused to accept that she’d allowed herself to get involved, yet again, with a person who would walk away at the drop of a hat. This might not have the financial devastation that followed Jordyn’s disappearance, but it had the potential to pack the same level of humiliation. She refused to let that happen. If she could hold onto the idea that they’d simply had an affair—even if it was ill-advised—she could deal with Will walking out without so much as a backward glance. Or coming back to town without even bothering to let her know.
Even if Will never really left her thoughts. Even if Will’s eagerness to be helpful, or the way she listened when Nora talked, felt nothing at all like Jordyn. Even if the physical chemistry left what she’d had with Jordyn in the dust.
“Look, we indulged a mutual attraction. It probably wasn’t the best idea, but it is what it is. We were both consenting adults. I don’t have any hard feelings and I hope Will doesn’t either.” Okay, maybe not no hard feelings, but the overall sentiment was accurate.
“I talked to her. I saw her. I can say with confidence she feels terrible.”
Not terrible enough to call or come over. “The way everything went down was awkward at best. I feel badly about that, too, but it’s not your problem. I’m sorry you had to deal with it in the first place.”
“Will you please stop apologizing?” Graham’s voice took on an edge of irritation. “I overreacted. I’m sorry for that. I can’t stand the thought that I’m the reason the two of you aren’t together.”
Nora’s own increasing irritation vanished. Graham was such a special young woman. And her intentions were so good. “Honey, you aren’t the reason. What will it take for me to convince you of that?”
Graham didn’t miss a beat. “You could get back together.”
“We weren’t together in the first place.” It may have felt for a moment or two that they were close, but that had clearly been an illusion. “I hate to burst any romantic bubble you may have, but it’s true.”
She could hear Graham sigh. “Okay. I guess I’ll have to settle for you being civil toward one another at my graduation dinner.”
“Graham.” Surely she couldn’t expect Will to sit through dinner with not only Nora, but with Colleen and Peter.
“She’s driving all the way from Provincetown to celebrate with me. Us. You wouldn’t have me exclude her, would you?”
Nora realized she’d been very effectively backed into a corner. “Fine.”
“Thank you.”
“Your mother doesn’t know anything about this. I’m asking you to keep it that way.”
“Of course. What you do in your personal life is none of her business.”
Nora resisted pointing out the irony of Graham’s assertion. She just needed to keep her head down and get through the next week. After Graham’s graduation, Graham would return to Provincetown, but have a place of her own. Even if she and Will remained friends, the chances Nora would have to see Will on any kind of regular basis would be slim to none. And then maybe, just maybe, things would settle down and get back to normal. “I appreciate that. I’ll see you soon.”
“I can’t wait.” Graham’s usual bubbly tone was back. Nora breathed a sigh of relief.
“Me either.” Nora shook her head. She mostly meant that.
“Love you.”
“Love you, too. Bye.”
“Bye.”
Nora set down her phone and looked around. She shouldn’t be surprised that Graham and Will had talked, or that they had made up enough that Graham wanted Will at her graduation. She’d just been trying so hard not to think about Will at all. She hadn’t been successful at that, but still.
“Who died?” Tisha stood in the doorway, frowning.
“What? No one.”
“Then why do you have that look on your face?”
She had no intention of admitting the nature of her thoughts. “Just distracted. I was talking to Graham about her graduation.”
Tisha looked suspicious. “You’re still going, aren’t you?”
“Of course. We were just ironing out the details. We’ll go to lunch after the ceremony, but I should be able to get on the road by late afternoon, so I’m only planning to be gone for one night. So that leaves you with two happy hours and one check out. Are you sure you can handle that?” They’d already discussed it, but Nora knew raising the question would be an adequate distraction.
“I’ve got my niece coming in to help me. We’ll be fine. Why are you changing the subject?”
Okay, so maybe not an adequate distraction. Tisha knew Nora better than almost anyone. “We’re talking about Graham’s graduation, are we not?”
Tisha narrowed her eyes. “Something is up with you. Been up since I got back. You don’t have to tell me what it is if you don’t want to, but don’t act like it’s nothing. I’m not blind.”
Nora felt a twinge of regret. “I’m in a bit of a funk. I’d rather not talk about it. Please don’t think it has anything to do with you.”
“Don’t act all wounded, now. I’m just calling it as I see it.”
Nora gave her an exasperated look, but smiled. “Did you come all the way back from Jamaica just to give me a hard
time?”
Tisha quirked a brow. “Seems someone’s got to do it.”
“Or not.”
“Wait.” Tisha pointed a finger at her. “Is this something to do with whoever you were dating while I was gone?”
Nora hated to lie. Especially with Graham coming back to work, she just knew something was bound to come out somehow. “The person I dated knows Graham. She’ll be at Graham’s graduation.”
Tisha’s eyes got huge. “Is it that handsome thing she brought home with her that night we did that party? The clam bake?”
Normally, Nora appreciated that Tisha never forgot a detail, or a face. In a business made on repeat customers, it often made the difference between a satisfied guest and a truly happy one. This was not one of those times. “How do you even remember her? It was six months ago and you barely met her in passing.”
“I remember a handsome face, especially one that I caught staring at you every chance she got.”
“You’re exaggerating.”
“I’m not. And clearly I was on to something.” She nodded slowly. “She was good, I bet. How long did it last?”
Nora was so done having this conversation. She rolled her eyes. “Not long enough for her to speak two words to me since it ended.”
“Okay, okay. We don’t have to hash through it all.”
“I’d appreciate that.”
Tisha shook her head slowly. “But a friend of Graham’s. That sounds messy.”
“Too bad you weren’t here in January with all your brilliant advice.”
“Bah. I would have told you to go for it.”
Nora laughed because it was true. “I’m sure you would have. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go make some lists.”
Nora headed to the kitchen to the rich sound of Tisha’s laugh. “Is that what the kids are calling it these days?”
Chapter Twenty-four
Will looked in the mirror and straightened her tie. She thought back to the last two times she’d done so—New Year’s and Emerson and Darcy’s engagement party. It was hard to wrap her head around how much had changed in less than six months. She turned away from her reflection and sighed.
When was the last time she’d been this nervous? It was hard to conjure a moment that had filled her with such anticipation. Even the day she decided to leave Kai brought with it relief, a sense of calm. Then, at least, she’d known what was happening, had some control over the situation.
This? This was a whole different ball game. Other than knowing she’d physically see Nora, she had no idea what the day would hold. Yet, even that uncertainty couldn’t overwhelm the aching need to see her, hear her voice. Will felt like an addict who’d spent the last few weeks in withdrawal.
She shook her head. The metaphor of addiction should give her pause.
She went to the kitchen and found Leigh reading the Wall Street Journal with a cup of coffee. “You look like such a grownup right now.”
Leigh looked up and smiled. “I could say the same about you.”
Will lifted a shoulder. “Better late than never, right? Thank you for letting me crash at your place again.”
Leigh waved a hand. “Of course. I’m glad I got to see you this time. Are you sure you won’t stay another night?”
“I’d love to, but I hate to take more than a couple of days off work. Besides, if the day turns really awkward, I’ll have the excuse of needing to get on the road.” She’d filled Leigh in on the highlights of her mess of a personal life.
“I hear you. Just know you can change your mind.”
“Thanks.” Will crossed the room and gave her a hug. “For now and before.”
“Anytime.”
“And you’re going to come crash with me sometime this summer?”
Leigh grinned. “Promise.”
Will grabbed her bag and let herself out. She plugged the address of the campus into her phone and headed out. It took only a half hour to get there, but another forty-five minutes to park and catch the shuttle from the far-flung parking lot.
She contemplated getting lost in the crowd, sitting off on her own. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to see Nora. It was the idea of seeing her with her sister and brother-in-law. Will was pretty sure that would take uncomfortable to a whole new level. She didn’t wish that on herself or Nora. But before she could sidle up to a large family speaking Korean, her phone buzzed with a text from Graham.
The fam is to the left of the stage, three sections back. They’re saving you a seat.
So much for being unobtrusive.
Will weaved her way through the crowds, looking for Nora. She spotted her standing in the middle of a row, looking around. She assumed—hoped—Nora was looking for her. She lifted her arm to wave.
As she did, Nora turned in her direction. They locked gazes and it felt to Will like the whole universe paused. The cacophony of conversations going on around her faded into a low din. The rush of blood in her ears made her dizzy. She consciously reminded herself to breathe. Was that a hint of a smile on Nora’s face or was she imagining it? Will couldn’t read her at all. She wondered if her own face reflected the mishmash of emotions—hope, fear, longing, love—crashing around in her chest.
Will realized she didn’t even know if Nora wanted to be looking for her or had been guilted into doing so by Graham. Regardless, it was too late to back out now. Someone bumped into her and Will realized she’d been blocking part of the aisle. She walked quickly to where Nora was, sidestepped her way down the row until she stood next to Nora. Will fought the urge to touch her, or to lean in and smell her perfume.
“Will, it’s good to see you. This is my sister, Colleen, and her husband, Peter.” Nora’s expression was pleasant, but cool, reminding Will of the night they first met.
Will took turns shaking their hands. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Graham has told us so much about you,” Peter said.
Great. There were at least a thousand ways of interpreting that statement. And at least half of them left something to be desired. “She’s such a great person, and so good at what she does. You must be proud.”
Both Colleen and Peter beamed. Colleen said, “It’s hard not to be. It was so nice of you to make the trip for her graduation. I know it means a lot to her.”
Will smiled. “Wouldn’t miss it.”
She was saved from further conversation by the start of “Pomp and Circumstance.” She stood with the rest of the crowd and watched the procession of faculty in their ornate, mismatched robes. Students followed. She had no chance of seeing Graham, but it was still fun to watch. She hadn’t been to a college graduation since Emerson’s. Then, she’d been with her parents. She’d been so proud of Emerson, but it was laced with knowing she’d disappointed them by not finishing her own degree. She’d stopped worrying about that achievement, but the sudden pang of missing her parents caught her off guard. She gripped the back of the chair in front of her and willed herself to stay focused and in the moment.
“Are you okay?” Nora’s voice pulled her back to reality.
Will forced a smile. “Yep.”
Nora glanced down at Will’s hands. Will’s gaze followed and she realized her knuckles were white from holding onto the chair so tightly. She let go and put her hands in her pockets. “I’m fine. Really.”
Just as when she’d arrived, Nora didn’t press or try to make conversation. Will had no way of knowing if Nora had nothing to say or if she felt inhibited by the presence of her sister. She wondered if they’d have a moment alone at some point during the day. She didn’t know what she’d do with it, but she wanted it nonetheless.
When the procession ended, Will took her seat next to Nora. The closeness of the chairs brought the side of Nora’s leg, as well as her arm, into contact. Through the thin fabric of Nora’s dress, Will could feel the warmth of her body. It created an instant wanting that made her ache. Any attempt she’d made to convince herself she wasn’t in love with Nora evaporated
.
Throughout the ceremony, Will stole glances at Nora. Twice, she caught Nora looking at her. Even without smiles or knowing stares, Will let herself believe it had to mean something.
Fortunately, Graham’s school was large enough that they did not call individual names. The ceremony ended in just over an hour and families began the arduous task of attempting to locate one another. Will followed Graham’s family to their pre-arranged meeting place.
They found Graham with a group of her friends. Will smiled and shook hands with a dozen people she’d likely never meet again, then fell into the role of photographer. She snapped endless permutations of Graham with her parents and Nora, some of her friends. After what felt like an eternity, Colleen insisted on getting a few with Will in the frame.
Will put her arm around Graham’s shoulders. “Congratulations.”
Graham beamed. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Me, too.”
They smiled for the camera, then Graham motioned Nora over to join them. Graham slung an arm around each of them and pulled them in close. “See how nice this is?”
Will stole a glance at Nora, who was looking right at her. Will shrugged and offered a tentative smile. Nora returned the smile, but shook her head.
“Now you two.” Graham slipped away and gestured for Will and Nora to get closer. “My Provincetown family.”
Nora stepped toward her. Will couldn’t resist putting an arm around her waist. She felt so good, so right. All the memories of their quiet mornings together, days working on projects, nights cuddled on the sofa came flooding back. Even more than the sex—and God, did she miss the sex—Will missed the simple intimacy they’d managed to create. She hated the idea that might be gone forever.
“Who’s hungry?” Peter’s question interrupted Will’s thoughts. Probably for the best, at least for the time being.
* * *
Nora opted not to take the shuttle and made the trek to her car on foot. The walk gave her the chance to clear her mind. It had gone fuzzy the moment she saw Will and had yet to refocus. Having Will sit so close, then posing for pictures together, hadn’t helped.