Chapter Twelve
She sensed his bad mood right away when they were alone for the first time that night. She had been too busy focusing on the importance of the evening before and maybe he had also tried to hide his feelings from her, but it only lasted until the guests of the party disappeared and the offices became empty and quiet again.
She had no idea what had happened, he had seemed fine before, even though it had been hard for both of them to survive their first day apart. She had wanted to call him several times, for an advice or just to hear his voice. She'd been used to stepping by his office any time she'd felt like talking to him about something, but everything was different now.
She'd been happy to see him show up for the party, to feel his support all night, but later the expression on his face made her think she had done something wrong, something he didn't exactly approve of.
"Have I done something wrong?" she gave voice to her suspicions and he didn't seem surprised hearing her question.
"What was he doing here, Diane?"
She knew who he was referring to right away. Christopher Wilson, the lawyer she used to date around the time Will had entered her life.
"He is looking for a job and I'm offering some," she stated simply, she had no reason to hide anything.
"For him?"
"For good lawyers with client lists and he has the advantage of both. I cannot be picky just yet."
"But him of all people? You seriously want him to work for you? I bet he still holds a grudge against me."
She honestly hadn't even considered what Will would think of her hiring Chris, she had only thought of the benefits it would have for the firm. It had been long over between them, even before her and Will had gotten serious. She never doubted that she would be able to handle this situation and she never thought Will would think differently, his reaction surprised her.
"Just like you seem to hold one against him, except you have no reason to, I have chosen you after all."
"I don't trust him around you."
"You should just trust me. I really don't get why you're making such a big deal of this."
She clearly lost her patience a little, it was kind of baffling where all this was coming from. She had never given him a reason for this lack of trust.
"It's hard for me, I feel like I'm losing you already to your new life."
He tried to explain his behavior and even though she still didn't understand his reasoning, she tried to hit some more intimate tone.
"The only life I have is the one I share with you and nothing's going to change that."
She thought this statement would satisfy him, but he seemed to have gone too deep with his unjustified jealousy already to be calmed down that easily.
"It has already changed."
His reply made her feel helpless and angry at the same time and the latter quickly took over. He had no right to do this to her with made-up reasons.
"I won't let you ruin this important day for me, I thought we would celebrate tonight then you start with all this nonsense."
Her sudden harsh tone seemed to finally have some effect on him.
"I'm sorry, it's far from me to ruin your big night. I just wanted to point out that you might be making a mistake here."
"If it turns out to be a mistake then I give you the permission to tell me you told me so. But I'm sure everything's going to be fine. We are both adults and he knows perfectly well that I belong to you."
She tried to sound as firm as possible and he seemed to be listening this time
"And you won't give him my office?"
His question made her chuckle and she was relieved to hear the change in his tone.
"I don't think you have an office here, not that I know of," she teased, even though they both knew too well that the empty office on the other side of the corridor was still looking for its owner, she hadn't been able to offer it to anyone yet.
"Who knows? It might change again soon. Jealous men can do crazy things," he said with a smile and stepped closer to her.
"William Gardner. If you plan to make decisions based on imaginary reasons then I'm not sure I ever want you as my business partner."
"If I ever decide to jump on board that will have one reason only, love. Because I'd love to be with you all the time," he put his arms around her and she simply couldn't stay angry with him any longer.
"Then we shouldn't waste our valuable time together on silly arguments."
"I'm sorry," he apologized again and she replied with a kiss that showed him how much she'd missed him, how much she wanted to be with him and that he had no reason at all to feel threatened by any other man.
And he seemed to believe her.