chapter 2: Carol

CHAPTER 2

CAROL

“Yes, I’m fine.”

I squirm in his arms; he sighs and, reluctantly, lets me go. I turn my head and look longingly at my spilled coffee on the ground.

“I’m sorry,” I blink a few times and look at him.

“Excuse me?”

“I’m sorry for knocking over your coffee,” he says, nodding toward where it lies.

“It’s nothing, Mr. Ashford. I…” I’m interrupted.

“Why do you insist on calling me ‘sir’? How long have you been my daughter’s friend?”

“Six or seven years, Mr… I mean, William. I can hardly even remember anymore.”

“Will. Call me Will.”

“Alright. Well, I should go now; Susan must be waiting for me.” The double meaning in his words didn’t go unnoticed by me. Or is it just me hearing what I’d like to hear?

“Are you going home?” There was something strange in his tone when he asked that question; I’d even say he sounded nervous.

“No. She’s coming to mine.”

“Oh, in that case, let’s get you a new coffee and then Carlos can drive you.”

“I… There’s no need, really.”

“Come on, Carol. I don’t like having to repeat myself.” He was so close to me that I could feel his fresh, minty breath on my face. And his scent… Oh God, it’s undoing me.

His eyes watched me expectantly, as if he wanted me to challenge him. I take a deep breath and nod.

“I’ll accept the ride. But not the coffee—that wasn’t your fault. Besides, it’s already late.”

“Fine.”

He turns on his heels, taking the pink box I was carrying.

“Are these for Susan?”

“Oh, no. Those were just for me before she called.”

“Isn’t that a lot for just you?”

“When you’ve had a bad day and you see that your life is crap, nothing is too much.”

“Watch that mouth,” I stop dead in my tracks behind him as I watch him walk. Did he just scold me? “In any case, that won’t solve the problem.”

I walk fast and catch up to him, stepping alongside him.

“No, I guess not. But I’m craving something sweet and delicious.”

I say the latter with a double meaning. Will notices because he glances at me sideways. I feel the blood rush up my neck and pool in my cheeks; I lower my head to hide the redness of my face, hoping he didn’t see it.

We walk one more block before stopping in front of the large building ahead of us, where it reads in black letters with silver borders:

W&S REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS – ASHFORD’S

Right above the main entrance.

I see him take out his phone and put it to his ear while he steps away to talk. Shortly after, he turns and looks at me. The butterflies in my stomach, triggered by the heated look Will gives me as he scans my body, tell me to run—that my desire for him isn’t right.

I shift somewhat restlessly.

“Carlos is coming with the car now. Tell Susan to call me as soon as she can.”

I nod my head.

“Is something wrong?” I look at him, dazed.

Damn, he must think I’m a freak.

“No… well, yes.”

“Yes or no? You have to make up your mind.”

I roll my eyes to focus them back on Will.

“The truth is, I just got fired. That’s why I’m wandering idly through the streets at two in the afternoon.”

He watches me closely and strokes his chin with a thoughtful air.

“I see.” He opens his mouth to say something else, but a car horn interrupts us, making us both turn in time to see Carlos step out of the car and walk around the front. He opens the back door and waits for me to get in.

“Well, I guess it’s time for me to go.” I look him up and down, all six-foot-three of him. The intense gaze he gives me makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. We walk to the car; just as I’m about to get in, Will takes my hand, making my entire back tense up.

If only he knew what his touch does to me.

“Everything will work out.”

“I guess so.”

As I get into the car, he hands me the box and closes the door. With a nod from him, I watch as Carlos heads to the front and gets in. Through the car window, I watch Will, who stands on the sidewalk with his hands in his pockets, his gaze fixed on me as we pull away. For a nanosecond, our eyes lock, and I swear what I saw in those tired, gray eyes was desire.

With a heavy breath, I lean back in the seat for the whole ride home, letting my thoughts get lost in how strange our encounter had been.

What was he doing walking at that hour in the opposite direction of his office?

But then again, what did I know about him and his daily routine?