The door to the kitchen opened and Megan stepped in, a worried expression on her face.
“You two have been gone a long time. Everything okay?”
Mick slapped a hand on Will’s shoulder. “Everything’s fine. Isn’t that right?”
“Perfect,” Will agreed. “We’ve reached an understanding.”
Megan’s gaze narrowed. “Isn’t it Jess with whom you should be reaching any understandings?”
Will nodded. “Exactly the point to which we’ve just agreed.”
She gave him an approving look. “Smart man.” She tucked her arm through Mick’s. “You’re not going to let this one bully you.”
“Since when do I bully people?” Mick asked indignantly.
“You’ve been known to from time to time,” she said. “It’s your forceful personality, to say nothing of your determination to get your own way. Now let’s have one glass of wine with these young people and be on our way, so they can enjoy the rest of their evening.”
Mick leaned down and kissed her, then nabbed the bottle of wine from Will’s hand. “I think I liked Jess’s earlier idea. Why don’t you and I take this home and snuggle up in front of our fire? We are still on our honeymoon, after all.”
Megan blushed. “Mick, our honeymoon in Paris was months ago.”
“That doesn’t mean the honeymoon’s over. I’m thinking we can make it last a few more months at least. I have some ideas about that. We’ll talk about ’em at home.”
Will was oddly touched by this evidence that they were still so much in love. Sure, they’d had a rough patch and years of divorce, but they were back together now and, from the looks of it, happier than ever.
“Enjoy the rest of your evening,” he called after them, but he doubted they heard.
When he walked into the lounge, minus the wine and without Mick or Megan, Jess regarded him with amusement. “Lose something?”
“Our company. I sent them on their way with our wine, too.”
“That’s more than okay with me. Wine right now would just make me sleepy.” She slanted a curious look at him. “What did you say to get rid of them?”
“I just told your father what he wanted to know.”
She scowled. “Do I even want to hear this? How embarrassing is it?”
“He was just being a good father,” Will said. “I told him my intentions were honorable.” He winked at her. “And that I wasn’t so sure about yours.”
“Oh, great,” Jess said with mock indignation. “So now I’m the one who’s trying to lure you into a life of sin?”
Will held her gaze. “Aren’t you?”
“Maybe I am. Are you game yet?”
Temptation swirled through him at her serious expression, the heat in her eyes. He leaned closer, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, then lingered to caress her cheek. He could feel her skin warm, hear the catch in her breath. It would be so easy to close the gap between them, seal his mouth over hers and take what he wanted. What she wanted.
But it wasn’t time. Not yet. He wanted more than sex. He wanted a lifetime. And Jess simply wasn’t there yet. There was still no telling if she ever would be.
When he kissed her, it was on the cheek. He saw the disappointment in her eyes, and it gave him hope. “’Night, Jess.”
“You’re actually going to walk out of here, even though I’ve practically thrown myself at you?” she asked.
“Yes, I am,” he said solemnly. “But so you know, it’s just about going to kill me to do it.”
He was pretty sure he saw a surprised smile light her face as he walked away.
15
On Sunday Jess stewed all day about Will’s abrupt departure the night before. She was even more annoyed when he didn’t show up for Sunday dinner at the house. Not that she’d specifically invited him. She’d thought it was a given that he’d be there. She’d taken him for granted.
Of course, it was entirely possible that despite what he’d said to her, he was avoiding Mick. Looking for someone else to blame for Will’s absence, she found her father in his office after the meal and confronted him.
“Did you say something last night to scare Will off?” she asked.
Mick bristled. “Did he say I did?”
“No, actually he said things were fine, but he’s not here today, is he? Something must have happened.”
“The two of you were still there together when your mother and I left. Maybe you should think about what you said to him,” Mick advised.
Frustrated, Jess sat down in a chair opposite her father. “I didn’t say anything. We didn’t argue. I thought we were okay.”
“Then you probably are,” Mick said. “Did he say he was coming today?”
She flinched. “I didn’t ask.”
“Well, there you go.”
“But he’s almost always here,” she protested. “I’ve never once asked him to come.” She paused, then amended, “It only started changing recently. What’s that about?”
Mick regarded her with amusement. “Look, my darling girl, when men and women start seeing each other in a different way, it changes things. You can’t take anything for granted.”
Once again Jess felt guilty. That was exactly what she’d done. “Well, it shouldn’t be like that,” she complained.
Mick laughed. “I agree, but that’s just the way it is. From here on out, if you want Will to join us, it’s probably going to be up to you to invite him.” He gave her a hopeful look. “Unless you want me to do it.”
“Absolutely not. Something tells me the less time you spend with Will, the better.”
“I didn’t pressure him, if that’s what you’re thinking,” Mick said indignantly. “I just asked him what’s what. He told me. That was the end of it.”
Jess doubted it had been quite that simple, even though both men claimed it had been. “Then make sure it stays that way, Dad. This is between Will and me.”
“Then what are you doing in here talking to me about it?
