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  “Hi again. I need a couple minutes, but I’m almost done.”

  “Where are you parked?”

  “I take transit.”

  “Perfect. We can go to my place so I can change out of my suit and then head out, if that’s okay.”

  Keeghan reached under the counter and handed Will the wrapped gift for his mom. She finished the evening close in record time, locked the door, and pocketed the keys before she followed Will to his car. She smiled as he opened the door for her. Still a gentleman. I like that.

  Will drove into the underground parking of a fifteen-storey apartment complex. Leaving the vehicle, Keeghan followed him into the elevator where he pushed the tenth floor button. After a few moments the doors slid open. Will led the way to his unit. He unlocked the door and stepped aside, allowing her to enter.

  “Make yourself at home, Keeghan. Red or white wine?” he asked as he walked toward the kitchen.

  “White. Just a half-glass.”

  Keeghan took stock of her surroundings. The living area was tastefully decorated with a three cushion navy couch, matching love-seat, and a floor lamp between. An oval maple coffee table held coasters, the portable telephone, and three remotes. A forty-two-inch television was mounted on the wall with a stereo receiver, and a DVD player on the small shelving unit. The shelves held a few framed pictures and a collection of DVDs. The room was exceptionally tidy for a bachelor. She walked over to the couch and sat. Will appeared with a glass of wine and handed it to her.

  “I just need a couple of minutes to change,” he informed her.

  Will disappeared. Keeghan stood and examined the photographs. The first framed picture was of Will and his parents, whom she remembered meeting when they were in high school. The second picture was Will as a young boy with his parents and an older couple. The adjoining picture didn’t have the older woman.

  “Will, I’m looking at the pictures on the shelf. Are these your grandparents?”

  “Yes, my parents and Dad’s parents. Dad was an only child as well, so we’re close. Papa joins us every Sunday night for dinner. Dad and I talk on the phone daily. Mom adds her two cents’ worth with the speakerphone.”

  On closer examination Keeghan could see a strong resemblance between all three men.

  “What about your mom’s family?”

  “There’s one picture of her parents on the bottom shelf. They both passed when I was young. I was eight when that picture was taken. Mom has an older brother who lives in Ontario with his family. Three girls. Two of them are married with a little one each. We only see them at weddings or funerals.”

  Keeghan squatted for a better look at Will as a young boy. As she waited, she scanned his selection of DVDs before returning to the couch. The phone rang. Keeghan listened to Will’s recorded voice, liking the husky note she detected in it. A female voice came from the speaker.

  “Hi Billy, it’s me. Don’t leave until I get there.”

  “Oh, shit,” Will blurted from the other room.

  Startled, Keeghan turned. Will appeared in his boxers, pants in hand. She gave his exposed body the once-over. Will had kept himself in shape. He matured with a firm upper body and tight butt. She turned her gaze back to the DVDs, not wanting to be caught staring.

  “I took an early flight home,” the female voice continued. “I always enjoy joining you and Jim for pizza and beer. We can visit in the car on the way to the bar.”

  Will mouthed “sorry” in her direction as he reached for the portable phone.

  “Jul, it’s a bad night,” he said. He took the phone into his bedroom, closing the door behind him.

  Keeghan couldn’t hear the conversation, but it was obvious the voice belonged to his girlfriend. She looked around the living room, but with the masculine décor, there weren’t any obvious signs of a female. But the very idea he had a girlfriend was disappointing. “Why did he invite me to dinner?”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  A few minutes later, Will wandered out of his bedroom dressed in black casual pants and a long-sleeved grey and blue striped cotton shirt. He walked over to the table and placed the phone on the receiver.

  “Sorry about that. I normally prefer being a little better acquainted before we start playing show-and-tell.”

  Keeghan chuckled, appreciating his sense of humour.

  “One of these days I’ll remember to replace the phone in my bedroom. It died, and I’m being cheap, waiting for something decent to go on sale.” He smiled, picked up his wine glass, and took a swallow. He placed the glass back on the coaster, and then sat on the couch beside Keeghan as she sipped her wine.

  “She called you Billy. It doesn’t suit you.”

  “Dad hates it.” Will put his fingers up to make a quote before continuing. “‘Sounds like a bloody goat,’” he said, mimicking his father. “He prefers William, but Mom calls me Will most of the time. Except when I’m in trouble.”

  “And then the middle name comes out as well,” she joked.

  Will put his fingers up to make quotes. “William Alexander. They never call me Bill or Billy. I’ve never heard Dad called anything but Lucas. He doesn’t think much of Luc, but I like it. I call him Luc when I’m bugging him. Either that or Pop.”

  “Does Jul—” she stopped herself, and then continued, “live here with you?”

  “Julianne. And no,” he responded. “She never will. Living together is a commitment. The day I ask someone to move in with me, I’ll be shopping for a diamond in a jewellery store. Jul and I were…,” he stopped and looked at Keeghan. “It’s complicated, but we are involved.”

  Hearing that confirmation of her suspicion, Keeghan turned her attention to her glass to hide her disappointment.

  “Are. Present tense.” She turned her attention back to him. His eyes weren’t sparkling anymore.

  “She’s a good friend. When she’s in town she hangs out with my university buddy, Jim, and me. The three amigos.” He paused and took another sip of his wine, and then mumbled, “I can hear her voice in my head. She’s telling me ‘Just say it.’”

  The Will that Keeghan remembered from high school had never been shy or reserved.

  “To be perfectly honest she is more than just a friend. For Jul and I, it’s a relationship of convenience with a mutual understanding. If that special person comes along for either of us….” He paused and looked into Keeghan’s eyes. “Well, what can I say? We’re keeping our options open.”

  It didn’t sound like the guy she remembered.

  “You’re having sex with the woman, but you’re not willing to commit to her? Casual sex. And you’re both okay with that? It’s a bit … weird.”

  “We dated for a little while, but discovered we don’t share the same dreams for the future. Jul will be content with a cat. That and a very career-oriented guy. She’s the first to admit I’m not that guy. Getting married doesn’t interest her and having a kid, well, that’s just out of the question.”

  She just looked at him, not sure how to respond.

  “Let me give you the condensed version of my friend. Jul studied political science and plans to work her way up the federal ladder. She’s an intelligent go-getter and won’t allow anything to slow her down. Someday soon she will run as an MP. She’ll have my vote. I’d help her campaign door-to-door. Julianne eventually wants the top job, and she would be damn good at it. In a perfect world, a person in this country could vote for the prime minister and a local member of parliament. Julianne would do a better job representing the people and their needs than anyone we have had in a long, long time.”

  “Obviously you have a lot of respect for her, yet you don’t want to pursue a relationship?”

  “No. We’re good friends. She and Jim are my best friends. I hate the term casual sex. I respect the lady and admire her,” he admitted with passion. “If our relationship had potential, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. I would have told you I was happily involved when we spoke in the boutique.”

&n
bsp; “But you’re still together?”

  “Physically, we get together a few times a month. When she’s in town, or when I make the occasional trip to Ottawa.”

  “A sex buddy. Friends with benefits.”

  “Yeah. If Jul was sleeping around, it wouldn’t be happening, but neither one of us are. She came into my office a year or so ago for some investment advice, and then I saw her again that night when Jim and I went out for wings and beer. She’s become one of the guys.”

  “What about Jim?”

  “Strictly friends. No benefits.”

  Allowing his words to sink in, Keeghan took another sip of wine.

  “You do want to settle into a committed relationship?” she inquired, not wanting to waste her time if he wasn’t the man she thought he was.

  “I want the whole thing,” he assured her. “Depending on how tonight goes, Jul and I just became platonic. I assure you, she’ll be happy for me. I’d really like to introduce the two of you. I know you’ll like her. Like I said, she’s intelligent and personable.”

  “Perhaps someday I will meet her.”

  “I’m looking forward to arranging dinner for three.”

  “How long have you been living here?”

  “I found this place shortly after I received my promotion at work.” He took a quick glance around the room. “It’s in a convenient location for a single guy, and the rent is reasonable. That said, I want to own a home. With any luck, I’ll fall in love with someone that touches my heart, buy a house, get married, and have a kid or two, and a dog. I’ll probably get the dog when I buy my house. You had a dog while in high school, didn’t you?”

  “We did. A sheltie. Her name was Autumn.”

  “She was big for a sheltie. I thought she was a collie. Anyway, I used to walk Stanley, my friend’s dog,” he continued, “who we named after the park. My friend moved and took the dog with him. Back to the future. Do you want a family?”

  “Yeah. If you recall from school, I’m the youngest of four. With three older brothers, I’m used to noise and commotion. I want a family.”

  “I’m an only child. You have three siblings and you’re not talking my ear off?”

  “Three loud brothers,” she stated, emphasizing the word. “I couldn’t get a word in at the dinner table.”

  “Being an only child, I was encouraged to speak my mind. I promise, I’ll encourage you to talk during dinner.” Will raised his glass. “To chance encounters, but I think this was fate.”

  They clinked glasses, and Will finished his wine.

  “First door to the left if you need a minute before we leave.”

  Keeghan reached for her purse and walked toward the hallway in search of the door he spoke of. She returned a few minutes later after removing the ponytail and applying fresh pink lipstick.

  He held her hand as they walked to a nearby restaurant. Their conversation continued while they ate. Keeghan spoke of her life since graduating from high school, her job, and volunteering with charitable organizations.

  “You’re more outgoing than you were in high school.” Will put his fork into his layered chocolate mousse cake. “That’s a good thing.”

  “I’m still shy in a crowded room, but I’m not afraid of my own shadow anymore.”

  “I like the new and improved Keeghan. A bit more spunk.”

  “Sometimes a little too much. I’m rather vocal, opinionated.”

  “Nothing wrong with that. It makes for good conversations.”

  Leaving the restaurant, they walked to a local bar for a nightcap. The remainder of the night was spent on the dance floor. Will drove Keeghan home in the early hours of the morning where they exchanged cell numbers and email addresses.

  * * *

  Will had a difficult time falling asleep. He sent a message to Julianne.

  ‘Amazing night with a high school friend. Come to my office in the a.m.’

  About to send the message, he looked at the clock on his night table. He would be lucky to get three to four hours sleep.

  ‘Bring coffee,’ he typed before sending. He began another message, this time to Keeghan.

  ‘Can’t sleep. Thinking about the night. Had a great time! Talk to you tomorrow after I talk to Jul.’

  * * *

  Keeghan was tidying some shelves when her cell buzzed with a text message.

  ‘Normally bring lunch, but not this morning. Care to join me at 1 p.m.? P.S. Jul just left my office. Had a good chat. As expected, she’s happy for me. Can’t wait to meet you.’

  ‘I’d love to join you for lunch,’ she typed.

  They enjoyed their lunch at a small café. Will invited Keeghan to join him at his apartment for dinner as they travelled back to the boutique. After work, the trip home included a stop at the butcher shop and market and a short stop at Keeghan’s so she could change. They continued on to his apartment. Once he changed he joined her in the kitchen where they prepared dinner. They spent the remainder of the evening on the love-seat in front of the television. Still exhausted from the previous night, Keeghan laughed when they both fought back yawns before midnight.

  Leaving his place, he drove her to the condo she shared with her friend. He walked her right to the door.

  “I should be ashamed of myself, having you home this early on a Friday night,” he joked.

  His lips brushed softly against her cheek. Keeghan opened the door and slipped inside. “Sweet dreams, Keeghan.”

  “You too.”

  She closed and locked the door. Keeghan walked into the room. Her tall blonde roommate shifted from her position on the multi-coloured couch, placed her novel on her baby blue housecoat, and glanced at her. Sherry’s green eyes sparkled with amusement.

  “Get your ass over here and tell me about this guy.”

  Keeghan yawned. “We can talk tomorrow.”

  “I expect an introduction tomorrow,” Sherry demanded. “He’s hot. Beyond hot. The guy’s gorgeous.”

  “His name is William. Will. We knew each other in high school.”

  “And you let him go? Did you lose your bloody mind?”

  “We never dated.”

  “What the hell were you thinking, Keegh? You should have put the move on him. I can’t believe you didn’t hook up.”

  Keeghan signed. It was just like Sherry to suggest she should have had sex with Will.

  “Good night, Sherr.”

  “Not so quick. We haven’t talked in two days.”

  “I’m exhausted. We can talk tomorrow.”

  Keeghan went into her room to get ready for bed.

  * * *

  Saturday morning, still in her housecoat, she was fighting the dozies as she sipped her tea. The buzz of her cell phone startled her. Will was at the door within the hour. His blue polo-type shirt made his eyes pop. The beige pants showed off his cute rounded butt. Keeghan grabbed her jacket from the closet and left while Sherry continued sleeping. They walked toward his car.

  “By the way, we’re meeting Mom, Dad, and Papa at LeFontains at five o’clock to celebrate Mom’s birthday,” he informed her.

  “Just drop me off at the condo on your way,” Keeghan replied casually.

  “They’re expecting to meet you, Keegh.”

  “It’s far too early —”

  “Let me reword this,” he interrupted, opening the car door. “They are looking forward to seeing you again. I told them about you Thursday afternoon when I returned to work. Dad extended the invitation. If you recall, you met Mom and Dad before. Lucas and Kirsten.”

  “That was years ago. This is a family birthday party. I’d be intruding on a family event.”

  Will shut the door, walked around to the driver’s side, and climbed in.

  “Keeghan. It’s not a big party.” He closed the door and fastened his seat belt. “Mom, Dad, Papa, you, and me. Please, join us. We have to swing by my place, pick up the gift which you wrapped so beautifully, freshen up a bit, and head to the restaurant.”

  Hand i
n hand, they walked into the restaurant toward the large round corner booth. Keeghan recognized Will’s father. She could hear the conversation.

  “Did I understand William correctly? Her name is … Meaghan?” his papa questioned.

  “Keeghan. With a K,” Lucas responded. “She dated his best friend when they were in high school. I remember Kyle bringing her by the house a few times when they were on the way to see a movie. She was a very attractive young woman.”

  When they reached the table, Will’s papa looked up at her. “Still is,” he replied.

  Will gave her hand a slight squeeze.

  “And rather shy,” Kirsten reminded the men. “Behave—oh my gosh, Will, I didn’t see the two of you arrive.”

  Will assisted Keeghan with her jacket and placed both their coats on the rack beside the table. Will’s papa looked quite dapper in his casual pants and a long-sleeved green shirt. He had thick white hair and a wonderful complexion, given his age. Other than a few wrinkles and age spots he could almost pass for Will’s father instead of grandfather.

  With grey hair appearing around Lucas’ temples, Will’s dad was an attractive man with dark-brown hair and a warm smile.

  “Keeghan, this is my mom and dad, Kirsten and Lucas.”

  “I’m Papa,” his grandfather announced.

  Will leaned over, pushed the blonde hair away from his mom’s ear, and whispered to her. Her olive eyes sparkled. He kissed her cheek and handed his mom her birthday gift.

  Keeghan spent the evening laughing with Papa, Lucas, Kirsten, and Will. When his parents left to take Papa home, Will drove Keeghan to the movie theatre for the opening night of a first run film. With his arm around her shoulder, they watched the comedy. They returned to his car.

  “Back to my place for a nightcap?” he asked.

  “It’s late. I should go home.”

  Will turned his car into the parking lot and began scanning the area for a spot to park. Keeghan pointed toward the front door.