A/N: Let me know what you think or if you have any concerns, etc. but most importantly, enjoy.


Chapter 9

Will stared up at the ceiling, resting his hands between his head and the pillow beneath him. He rarely sulked in the dark because it was depressing, but for the past few nights it was normal. His life had changed drastically in a short amount of time and he wasn't sure of where it was going. He wished things were like a stage play, and that'd he had script – then he could know the right things to say and where he'd end up and maybe even get rewarded along the way.

His eyes slipped closed and thoughts flooded his mind hastily. It was Friday night, and that meant Emma was probably on a date with that Andy guy. He couldn't deny the feelings of jealousy nestled somewhere within him. He wasn't jealous of him in the slightest, but he was jealous of whoever got to take Emma Pillsbury on a date. Will knew it was petty because they had been on many together, but he wanted so much more.

His hand moved down to his waist and tightened into a fist as he imagined holding hers. Their shoulders would touch as they bumped into each other, inseparable, until Will pulled her in other direction so he could show her the outside of his favorite theater. She'd be genuinely excited and smile her gorgeous smile and he'd die a little more on the inside because he wouldn't be sure how he had thought he could have lived without it before. He'd take her to a real restaurant and do simple gestures like sliding out her chair and paying for her meal because she would have made him into a real gentleman again.

Tossing over to his side, Will pulled the musty comforter over his head as though he could protect himself from his own mind. His brow furrowed in frustration because he couldn't stop driving himself crazy.

x

She rested her head against the cool glass, and stared out the window incredulously. As the day went one she grew more and more anxious, plagued with second thoughts about her date with Andy. They drove to the surprise restaurant in silence, and not because Emma was nervous or anything like that. She didn't feel like she had anything she needed to say, or that she wanted him to hear. She couldn't deny that he had been fairly tolerable by that point, though probably only because it'd be far too easy to jump out of the car at the next red light if needed be. He started to hum along to some to some classic rock song on the radio, and her first instinct was to make a mental note that Will was definitely the better singer. She tried to shake the thought out of her head, and instead reminded herself that was tonight was about moving on.

She soon learned that his idea of a romantic date was in a booth at Breadstix. Emma took a sip of her water nervously, unable to shake this uncomfortable feeling. Her eyes were cast downwards most of the night, but she could feel his stare – Andy wasn't nervous. She insisted that they skip dessert and be on their way but he was adamant in feeling that it was far too early to 'call it a night.'

An hour and a half later, Andy had scooted himself into her booth and much to her dismay, the table was no longer between them. Emma thought that she'd have an easy time getting over Will if she spent some time with Andy, but she was completely wrong. He was different than what she had expected and not in a pleasant kind of way.

"Do you like cheesecake, Emma?"

"No, not really." Folding her napkin, she scrunched her nose slightly.

He sighed. "Ice cream then?"

Ice cream. The last time she enjoyed it was on the other side of the world. She wondered if Will remembered that too. It was funny to think that back then their relationship seemed hard – but it was nothing compared to what they were going through now. The thought made her smile more than it should have and it didn't go unnoticed.

"Care to share?" Andy asked inquisitively.

Not with him. Emma shook her head. "I'm not really one for dairy and it's been a long day – could we just pay for the check and get home?"

"I'd like really to share a dessert with you." His head fell to the side. "Please."

Emma was about to protest before her eyes darted down to his hand on her knee. She tensed under his touch, unsure if this was the wrong way to react. All she knew was that she didn't like it one bit. Will would have never pushed too far and unfortunately she had a habit of comparing the two. His hand slid further up reaching the hem of her skirt and finally she had enough.

"Woah, okay…" She chuckled nervously as she grabbed his hand and pushed it far away. "If it means that much to you we can stay – I like strawberry by the way."

Andy ignored her reaction and clapped his hands together. "Is that all you like because I've been trying to figure you out all evening."

Pulling her skirt down, she moved further away as if it were any more possible and chuckled unenthusiastically. Emma wasn't making it easy – she knew that. And she didn't understand why he was trying so hard. Either he was that clueless or he just didn't care. He grabbed the waitress' attention and grinned at Emma as though he had done something admirable and she offered a humble smile back.

He ordered their dessert before turning to face Emma excitedly.

"So have you ever thought about leaving Lima?"

Her eyes widened slightly. "No, I haven't actually." The idea of leaving her comfort zone scared her, even more so than before after her last excursion.

He chuckled, "Please, everyone who's ever lived here has thought about it."

"Everything I need is right here." Almost. She had a career, she had family, and she almost had love – but that was slowly slipping away. She half smiled to show that she was still paying attention and Andy went on.

"Once I finish getting my degree I'm thinking of moving to the west coast. I think you could benefit from change as well, Emma."

Not from him.

Finally their dessert arrived and any sense of meaningful conversation became nonexistent. In a perfect world, Will would have be the one sitting there and they would've been talking about their future together. By then he would have told her that he loved her and they would have reminded each other every single day – even over something as simple as a shared frozen treat.

Not too long after, they walked down the hallway that led to Emma's apartment. When they left the restaurant she had thanked him for a lovely time, honesty starting to become obsolete. But now the date was over and she wouldn't have to pretend. She didn't want to pretend. In fact, she could end it right now because her heart was somewhere else. They stopped in front of her door and he stared at her expectantly. It was nerve racking.

"Look, Andy I – "

"Wait. I'm going to kiss you now." Slowly he leaned forward, placing a chaste kiss on her lips.

She closed her eyes tightly, having absolutely no idea what to do. The only person she wanted to kiss was Will and it felt so wrong to think about. Opening her eyes, she saw him leaning in again and quickly she turned her head – it was almost a reflex. She stumbled backwards, so he placed a hand on her waist pulling her closer.

The third time, he head towards her neck so she grabbed his shoulders, stopping him.

"Andy, no."

He took a step back, narrowing his eyes. "Emma, c'mon – it's nothing."

She shook her head vigorously, trying to stay composed. He was right; it meant absolutely nothing. If circumstances were different then maybe she'd be able to act normal and not utterly in love and frustrated with another guy. Emma covered her face in embarrassment for even allowing herself to be put in the position to begin with.

They stood there for a moment, and she wondered when he'd realize she needed space. Maybe he was too megalomaniac to tell.

Emma sighed. "I think it'd be best if we called it a night."

He looked as if he we're going to argue. "Fine, if that's what you want." Andy held up his hands up defensively. "Have a nice night, Emma."

His tone didn't match the sincerity of his words as he turned away, but Emma didn't seem to mind. Falling back against the door, she let out a sigh of relief and waited till she could no longer hear his footsteps to enter her apartment. Closing the door behind her, she locked the door slowly before kicking her shoes off and pulling her phone out.

Scrolling down to the end of her contacts, she found Will's name. He fingered hovered it for what felt like an eternity as she tried to understand what she was doing and what this meant. She still wanted him. Pressing the phone to her ear, Emma bit her lip with an unfounded nervousness – of course he would answer her call.

"Hi Emma."

His voice was groggy, and maybe a little sad. She didn't want to tell the difference.

"Did I wake you?"

"Sort of, but I don't mind." He paused. "I missed you."

Emma tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and sighed. "I know, I know... you're probably wondering why I'm calling."

"I am. Is everything okay? You sound a little off." The hesitation in his voice didn't go unnoticed. He was being very careful.

"I – I was wondering if you could come over…" She closed her eyes and let out a deep breath. There was a long silence on the other line and she became slightly anxious. "Please, Will."

He cleared his throat. "Weren't you on a date? I don't understand, I mean of course I'd come over if you need me to, and I want to but…you just really confuse me, you know that?"

They laughed ironically, Emma though with a little less heart. He was always confident around her. In fact she was slightly intimated by him, but it was clearly the opposite now. She was in control. Her grip tightened around the phone as she wrapped an arm around her middle.

"I think I'd rather talk to you in person."

"Okay." Will sounded skeptical. "Just text me your address and I'll get a taxi as soon as I can."

Emma smiled slightly. "Thanks, Will."

"No, thank you, Em." He breathed deeply. "I'll see you soon."

Beep.