Reading Online Novel

Trade It All(43)



He walked her to his hybrid sedan and opened the door for her. Willa glanced up at the window of her apartment and saw Lexi watching her. Did I honestly think she wouldn’t? Don’t get involved, Lexi. I don’t know if I could forgive you again. This time you were warned. Their eyes met across the distance before Lexi let the curtain fall as she turned away.

Perhaps noticing an expression of distress on Willa’s face, Lance asked, “Is everything all right?”

Willa turned and slid into the car. Her stomach was twisted in knots. How am I going to look happy while trying not to throw up? I should have told Lexi where I was going. Did I just create a problem where there hadn’t been one?

For God’s sake, can’t I let myself simply be fucking happy? She forced a smile to her lips. “Wonderful. Let’s get out of here.”

Lance walked around the car and got into the driver’s seat. Before starting it, he put his hands on the steering wheel and looked as if he were engaged in an inner debate. Finally, he glanced over at her. “Did you have breakfast?”

Not able to imagine eating anything while her stomach was churning the way it was, Willa said, “Yes.”

He nodded. “Great. We’ll head right to the NOWA open market. It’s a craft and art fair.”

Another surprise, or is he saying what he thinks I want to hear? There was nothing about his expression, however, that implied he was anything but happy about the idea. Don’t look for problems. “Is this your first?”

He started the car and pulled out into the Boston traffic. “Art fair? No. I prefer them to galleries. More authentic. I have a few pieces hanging in my apartment from a relatively unknown artist, Simon Graft. And you never know who you’ll meet. Three years ago I came across a man who painted landscapes with Caspar Friedrich’s flair.”

“I love his works. At first glance some seem dark and somber, but they draw you into their story.”

Lance looked pleased that she understood. “Exactly. I bought one of Simon’s paintings for my place, then went back and hired him to paint my mother’s garden. My mother loved it so much she showed it to all of her friends. She knows everyone. His paintings are now in hotels all over the world.”

His voice, his story . . . they washed everything else away. This side of him was unexpected and wonderful. “I sent your mother a bouquet of flowers with a thank you for the care package she gave me.”

Lance smiled. “She’ll love it.” He navigated a busy intersection then glanced at Willa again. “I called Emily, and we’re all set for a private tour with her tomorrow. She asked if we were going to join everyone for dinner at my parents’ afterward. I didn’t say yes, but I didn’t say no either. I wanted to know how you felt about going there with me. On one hand it’s early to ‘take you home’ so to speak, but on the other hand you already know everyone, and they’d love to see you.”

Willa gripped the front of her seatbelt as if it were a lifeline. If they’d never hooked up. If the condom hadn’t broken and she hadn’t—

If we didn’t have history, what would I say to an amazing man who liked me enough that he wanted his family to know we are together?

Wouldn’t it be an easy yes?

It’s not like we’ll be able to hide what we’re doing. Everyone will know soon enough.

She thought about her earlier conversation with Dax and cringed. What will he think when he finds out? Will he say anything to Kenzi?

Probably not, unless he thinks I need protecting, which is a good argument for simply letting everyone see us together.

“I’d love to have dinner with your family,” Willa said with forced brightness. “Will Kenzi be there?”

“Probably. She’s spending more time with our parents lately.”

“That’s really nice to hear,” Willa said sincerely.

“It is,” Lance agreed easily. “So, I’ll tell them we’ll be there?”

Willa swallowed hard. “Absolutely.”

Lance valet parked at a hotel a street over from the park. As he and Willa walked toward the fair, he wondered if asking her to have dinner with his family had been a mistake. Things were going well. Part of him wanted to keep her to himself and ensure it stayed that way.

He wanted this time to be different, though, and that meant not hiding it from his family. This wasn’t him breaking any rules and sneaking around with his little sister’s best friend. He didn’t need anyone’s permission or approval, and dating her out in the open would make that clear without the necessity of actually saying it.

He didn’t usually take his dates to his family, but Willa wasn’t just a date. He didn’t know what exactly they were, or would ever be to each other, but she was important to him.