I know this chapter is super short, but I just wanted to have something uploaded!
Anyway, I am promising the next chapter by the end of this weekend.
Enjoy!
3.
"Hey, sorry I'm late," Grace apologized as she closed the door and hung up her coat. "With all that moaning coming from Jack's place, I was about to call an ambulance," Grace shook her head as she walked over to the kitchen table and sat down with Will. "Anyway, thanks for making dinner tonight. Leo had some big doctor's convention," Grace waved her hands in the air. She obviously felt left out, but it was part of his job, and she knew it. "And believe me, I don't think I could stomach another night of microwavable dinners," she snorted.
"Yeah, sure," Will's voice cracked as he tried to force a smile.
"Is everything okay?" Grace's eyes widened sympathetically.
"Yeah, it's fine. Life is good," Will said unconvincingly. I'm such a terrible liar. Will thought as he served salad to Grace and himself. But wait, isn't everything okay? What's there to be upset about? Will convinced himself.
Dinner was noisy, but it was only because of Grace's eating habits as opposed to conversation. Will was obviously upset with something, and Grace didn't want to put any pressure on him, she had learned from experience that it had never worked.
When they were finished eating, Will silently washed the dishes. He tried to hide the look of discouragement that had stayed on his face for days.
"Will, just forget about the dishes," Grace broke the thick silence. "Come sit here, I want to talk." She patted the cushion of the couch next to where she was sitting.
Will reluctantly left the soapy dishes in the sink and sat next to Grace.
"Look, before you say anything, I just want you to know that I have a lot going on in my mind right now…and…and I'm not sure that anyone can do anything to help," Will sighed as he tried to explain.
"Will, I'm not always able to help, but I am always here to listen," Grace rubbed Will's arm soothingly.
"Grace, I don't know. It's just—I can't" Will struggled to find the words he was looking for. "It's Jack," Will wrung his hands nervously.
"Did you guys have a fight?" said Grace caringly.
"Uh, no," Will confirmed. There was a moment of awkward silence before Will spoke again. "Grace, did you ever have that feeling of insecurity around someone? Like, suddenly, when they come into the room, you notice something is wrong with your own outfit?" he turned to Grace, but she just looked a bit confused. Will took a deep breath, "Let me try this again. Every time you see this person, your head feels light. Or…or when you're with them, you don't want to talk because you're afraid you'll say the wrong thing. And desp—," Will sighed deeply. The truth of his own words made him feel nauseous. "And despite all of this," he spoke slowly. "You want to spend every moment with them," Will concluded.
One more, he turned to Grace. Her eyes were now as wide as saucers. She took both of Will's hands in her own, and her expression softened to a gentle smile.
"Will," she began. "It's called love." Will's eyes began filling up with tears.
"Grace," he sobbed. "What am I going to do? I can't deny these feelings."
"Then tell him."
"What, are you crazy?" Will was baffled. "I couldn't tell him that. He's had a boyfriend for an entire seven months. He's committed, he doesn't care." Will explained.
"He'll never know if you don't tell him. And think about it this way: maybe once you admit it, he'll realize he feels the same way." Grace reassured. Will shifted uncomfortably
"Oh come on," Will rolled his eyes. "Jack isn't like that."
"Well, would it help to know that Leo and I once talked about how you two were 'made for each other'?" Grace smiled encouragingly. Will didn't say anything. He tried not to let that sudden boost of confidence get to his head.
"Grace, I just said Jack just isn't like that! I mean, he's really committed to Charlie. If I were to tell him that he'd just think I was mocking him and go on about that stupid incident from college. Then he'd go beg Charlie to buy him a smoothie to drown his sorrows," Will reported.
"Will," Grace looked a bit upset. "You're being paranoid," she shook her head.
"I am not being paranoid!" Will threw his hands up in disagreement. "I just," he suddenly became calm. "I just don't want to lose him," Will massaged his forehead; a migraine had been developing over the last few minutes.
"Well, I don't know what else to say," Grace stood up and walked to the door, picking up her coat on the way. "But if he cares about you as much as we all know he does," her tone was very serious. "Then you certainly won't lose him."
Will was left with nothing but time after Grace shut the door. He knew he should be contemplating his relationship, his life, and everything Grace had just told him. Instead, he turned on the television and began watching a marathon of Days of Our Lives.
He had never enjoyed Soap Operas. But at that time, Will just wanted to be focused on broken hearts that weren't his.
