Chapter 17

Alicia woke to the sun shining through her bedroom window, and she opened her eyes after groaning as she stretched her arms above her. She turned over and the saw the covers pulled back, as if somebody had been sleeping there and had already gotten up. And then she saw some of her clothes strewn around the floor.

Will had stayed last night.

She dragged herself out of bed, pulled on some casual clothes, and walked out into the kitchen to make some coffee. As she began to wonder whether Will had left or not, her question was answered when she saw Will, dressed in his work pants and a cotton shirt, cooking something on the stove. He turned around, smiled, and said, "Morning."

"Morning," Alicia said, heading for the coffee machine.

"Look behind you," he said as she got level with him. She turned around, and next the sink in the kitchen island was a hot cup of coffee with cream and sugar sitting next to it. "Oh, thank you," she said gratefully as she put a lot of sugar and cream in the mug and mixed it all together. She sat down on one of the stools at the kitchen island, and after she was reminded of their conversation in this same place the night before, she asked, "What are you making?"

"An omelet," he said.

"So Will Gardner can cook," Alicia said jokingly.

"Yes, I can cook," he replied. "And you timed it well – it's done." He had already located two plates and two sets of utensils, so he served up half of the omelet on each plate, handed one to Alicia, and began to eat his half while standing up, leaning against the counter. Alicia grunted as she took a bite. "This is really good," she said. "Thank you, chef Will."

He smiled. "Glad you like it," he said. They finished eating in silence, and as Alicia stood up to put her plate in the sink, she glanced at the clock for the first time. It read 8:52.

"Oh, shoot, shoot, shoot," Alicia said, running off to her bedroom. "What's wrong, Alicia?" Will asked, rounding the corner.

Alicia whirled around and replied, "I have a meeting at the firm at 10am, and I told Cary that I wouldn't be late. So much for not being late."

"Well, lucky you, because I don't have any meetings until noon."

"Oh, shut up, Will! Will you please just help clean up the kitchen a little bit while I get ready?" When he nodded and turned back towards the kitchen, she yelled, "Thank you!" as she darted into her closet. She pulled out the first appropriate work suit she came across, brushed her teeth and hair, pulled on some comfortable, low heels, and walked out to the living room to grab her keys, phone, and computer. Surprisingly, there were no texts from Cary, her kids, or Peter. Thank God, she thought to herself.

She didn't find Will in the kitchen, and as she turned towards her bedroom again, Will was running out in the same suit he had worn last night. "Don't worry," he reassured her, "I'm going home to change before I go to work."

"That would probably be a good idea," she replied. When he started to take a long time to put on his coat, Alicia said, "Come on! I've got to go!"

He laughed in response, and pulled Alicia in for a kiss in front of the door. As they separated, Alicia sighed and asked him, "What are we doing?"

"What feels right, I guess," he replied, and kissed her again. When Alicia stepped back to the open the door for him, she saw slight uncertainty on her face. "Hey, no regrets?" he asked cautiously.

Alicia smiled. "No regrets," she replied. Will walked out the door and headed quickly for the elevator. Alicia looked at the clock again as she walked out, finding that it read 9:09. Hopefully I can make it there on time, she said to herself. As she was finally alone while locking up the door, she leaned against the door and sighed.

What in God's name have I done?