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Even before I am fully awake, I can feel someone's gaze at me. A sense of contentment surrounds me as I breathe in a warm musky scent and snuggle deeper into the soft sheets. As I fully awaken, I recognise the scent and the owner of the gaze, and I smile.
I don't open my eyes lest I break this spell. I want to feel this joy for a little longer.
"Lizzy, are you awake?" Will whispers softly. I wouldn't have heard it if I was actually asleep.
I blink my eyes open and look up at him through my eyelashes. Soft dark brown stare into mine, a twinkle of amusement and fondness filling them. One corner of his lips is lifted up as he smiles at me, "Good morning."
I turn over and stretch like a cat under the sheets, hitting Will's chest with my hand in the process. He grabs hold of it and keeps it on the bed, with his hand over it. My stomach gives a little summersault and deep longing fills inside of me.
I want this. I want this everyday.
I turn over to face him, my hand still under his and smile back, "Good morning."
"Slept well?" It seems like he can't decide where to look, my rat's nest of a hair, my sleep filled eyes, or my drooling mouth. What a vision I am.
"Mhmm." I mumble, distracted by the domesticity of this scene. I want this.
"Want some breakfast? We can plan the rest of our day then."
Pulling up the sheets to my neck, I wonder, "I have to work till 2 PM. Don't you have classes till 5 today?"
He hesitates but then says, "Nope, just till 1:30."
"1:30? I remember clearly that you...Will, are you not attending the rest of the classes?"
He sighs and sits up on the bed, taking my hand with him as he absentmindedly plays with my fingers, "I wouldn't be missing anything."
I open my mouth to argue but then stop. "Are you sure?"
"Positive." He presses my hand and let's go, getting up from the bed. "Okay, the quicker we get up, the quicker we get breakfast. Come on."
We have a quick breakfast run (pancakes!) and then Will is off to his campus while I am off to my work. We decided to spend the rest of the day exploring the city.
When I get out of my meetings and am done for the day, Will's face greets me along with a bag of muffins. I break out into a smile and take the bag in return for a hug.
This could be our routine. Meeting up for lunches between work, exploring cities together, planning our day together. I catch myself and give myself a stern scolding. I cannot be thinking about things like this.
We spend the day together and have a pizza night at his apartment. Maddie and Ed have made themselves scarce, but I am sure they have better things to do. Couple things.
I wonder what things Will and I would do if we were a couple. Hold hands. Share our deepest thoughts. Kiss?
Stop!
Will off-handedly mentions a party being hosted by one of his batchmates tomorrow night and I agree to attend.
Saturday passes slowly. It is my last full day in Massachusetts and I'll be off tomorrow early morning. We laze around the entire day and begin getting ready for the party at 6.
I don the only party outfit I brought on this trip – a flowy forest green dress reaching just above my knees with a sweetheart neckline and capped sleeves. The dress fits close to my bust and begins to flare down from the waist. I walk out of the bathroom and sit on the bed, putting on my heels.
I turn to show my outfit to Will to find his eyes already on me. His eyes sweep from my heels to my hair and I feel like I can physically feel it. I use this time to appreciate the way his black shirt and fitted jeans show off his strong physique – incredibly well.
His eyes finally rest on mine and I raise an eyebrow, "Verdict?"
He walks closer to me and picking up my coat, helps me into it. As he does so, he bends down to my level and whispers, "Perfect."
Fairy lights twinkle all around the room as Will twirls me and pulls me into his arms. While we are not pressed up against each other like many people in the room, the space between us isn't strictly 'friendly'. I giggle when he dips me back and brings me back up, our faces closer than before.
Affection and joy shine in his eyes as he leads me into the dance to the tune of the music and I just let myself be.
He twirls me again so that my back is pressed to his chest and my own arms cage me against him. Placing his lips right by my ear, he whispers, "Do you want a drink?"
A shiver runs down my spine and I nod, unable to say any words. There are no words running through my mind, only images – of his lips on mine.
Pulling me by hand, Will takes me to the makeshift bar and whips up my choice of drink. Handing me my LIIT and picking up his beer, we cheer and down our drinks.
The night is a whirlwind after that - dance, drinks, laughter, and lights. Conversations with new people, dancing with strangers, making new friends, but mostly – Will. Dancing with him, drinking with him, swaying with him. I am positively buzzed by the time we say goodbye to the hosts. I share numbers with newly made friends, hug goodbye, and promise to stay in touch.
Will helps me into my coat as we step outside and the cool breeze sobers me instantly. While I can still feel the remnants of the evening on me, my mind feels clear. Well, mostly.
I take Will's arm and wrap both of mine around it, pressing into his side as we begin walking. He pulls me closer and hails a cab, ushering me into the backseat and getting in.
The moment he has given the address to the driver, he puts his arm around me and pulls me closer so that my head rests on his chest. He takes a deep breath and sighs, keeping his head on mine.
I sigh as well. A deep sense of comfort and home seeps into my bones. I close my eyes and savour it.
It feels like it's only been moments when I feel my body being pulled. And then I am in Will's arms. I wrap my arms around his neck and keep my head on his shoulder, eyes still closed.
Will carries me to the door and as he begins to climb up the stairs, I open my eyes.
"I am awake."
"I know." A small smirk pulls the corner of his mouth.
"I can walk up the stairs, you don't have to carry me."
"Lizzy?"
"Yes?"
"Shush."
So I do and close my eyes again.
Will lays me down on his bed and I can hear him shrugging out of his coat. He takes my boots off, handling my body as carefully and softly as one could. I blink my eyes open and sit up, trying to shrug out of my coat as well. He comes over and helps me out of it, placing it on top of his own.
In the darkness of the room, illuminated only by a night light, I look at Will. Really look at him. Apart from the beauty and sheer perfection - his soft mouth, his careful hands, his penetrating eyes looking at me with emotions I can't decipher.
He sits on the bed beside me and I turn to face him.
"Will?" I almost whisper. There is something about this moment where any sound, any movement might shatter it.
"Lizzy?" He murmurs softly, his eyes searching mine.
"I..I think I want to try something." Even as I say it, I can feel my heartbeat rise. However, the liquid courage is still bubbling inside of me and I forge on, "You can say no or stop me anytime…" My gaze moves to his lips and I bring it back to his eyes, subconsciously biting my lip as I imagine his reaction.
Will draws in a sharp breath and stills, his eyes sobering. I move further, my eyes glancing at his lips and his eyes intermittently, gauging his reaction. The look in his eyes is intense, but every other part of his body is still, as one might to not spook a bird.
When our lips are almost touching, I close my eyes and kiss him.
I kiss him.
Will.
My best friend.
Possibly the love of my life.
His lips are incredibly soft and unmoving as I press mine to them, softly, almost like a caress. But his don't move.
He doesn't move.
I pull back, eyes wide, as I look up at him. Did I do something wrong? Shit, I just took advantage of my best friend! Just because he didn't stop me doesn't mean he wanted it. Is this considered harassment? It technically is, right? Shit shit shit…
"Will, I…mmph…" And just like that Will's lips are back on mine again.
