William
What have I done?
I’ve really fucked this one up. I had one chance to sleep with the woman of my dreams. One chance to prove to her—and myself—that I’m not a waste of time. That I’m worth investing in. She gave me everything I could possibly ask for. She gave me a striptease, for God’s sake. She was sexy, enchanting and naughty as hell...and I passed up the chance to be a part of it.
Why didn’t I follow her to the spare room? Why did I just sit there while she touched herself, smiling at me like she knew exactly what she wanted from me? Why didn’t I give her everything she’s ever yearned for?
Because I’m a fucking idiot, that’s why.
Too uptight.
I was so caught up in my own fears. Fears of being controversial. Fears of stepping over a line that I have created for myself, penning me in with my own rules and insecurities. I managed to convince myself that I was doing the right thing when I watched her walk away and didn’t follow. But after an hour had passed, and she still hadn’t come back to the living room, I went in to check on her and she was sound asleep. I’d completely blown my chance with her.
And now I’ve woken up, alone in my bed with a screaming baby for company. India is alone in the spare bedroom, neglected and surely unsatisfied.
We could have both been winners last night if only I wasn’t such a loser.
I get up as quickly as I can, though the room is spinning. One too many gin and tonics, clearly. I tend to Rosie, who to her credit quietens down as soon as she’s changed and fed. Then I decide I need to find India. That is, if she hasn’t already left. I need to apologize and straighten things out before I dig myself into a deeper hole.
When I head to the spare room, the door is open and the bed is made. No sign of India. I shake my head, running downstairs to see if I can find her. The remnants of our movie night are scattered across the living room. There’s popcorn on the floor and the pizza box is strewn on one of the chairs. Half-full gin glasses litter the table where I watched India touch herself. Just the thought of it makes me hard, but I can’t give in to my emotions right now. I need to figure out where she is.
I hear the coffee machine in the kitchen firing up and head there. India is standing in yesterday’s suit, making herself a large coffee. She glances around as I enter, but quickly looks away again. I may have imagined it, but I’m sure I saw the ghost of a blush on her freckled cheeks.
“India...”
“Good morning, Mr. Walker. I can’t believe I’m still here this morning, but it’s fine. As soon as I have my coffee, I’ll take a car home.”
“Really? You’re just going to pretend like nothing happened.”
India whips around with fire in her eyes, though she keeps her face calm. She sips her coffee, glaring in my direction.
“Well, you did a pretty good job of pretending nothing was happening while it was happening last night,” India says. “So let’s just forget the whole thing, shall we?”
“Look, I’m sorry—”
“No,” India cuts me off. “I made a mistake. I made a mistake in thinking you were interested. I made a mistake in thinking you were...different. But I was wrong on both counts. So you can drop it right now, and I’ll be on my way.”
“India—”
“Please.”
She raises her eyes to me then, and the pain I see there stuns me. Silences me. Punches me in the damn gut and makes me feel like the worst man in the entire world.
“India,” I repeat, swallowing as I raise my hand to touch her. But we’re interrupted by a loud knock on the door. I frown. Who could it be on a Saturday morning? India raises an eyebrow at me.
“Are you getting that, Mr. Walker, or do you want me to?”
I grit my molars. I know she’s refusing to call me William to piss me off. It’s certainly working. I head for the door, frustrated and not even interested about who might be on the other side. I open it and blink in surprise.
“Dad? What are you doing here?”
My father is standing at the door, holding a large pink plush bunny rabbit. He’s clearly here for Rosie rather than me.
“Do I need an excuse to visit my son and granddaughter?” he asks, glancing around as though Rosie might materialize at any moment. “Where is the little angel?”
“In my room. Asleep.”
“Ah, well then. I suppose you can make me a coffee while she’s resting.”
I awkwardly allow my father to step inside, wondering how I’m going to explain my assistant’s being here in an absolutely foul mood. He heads straight for the living room and finds the mess of last night. He smiles.
“Have you had company? Or has little Rosie been trying out her first gin and tonics?” he asks, tapping one of the glasses with a wiggle of his eyebrows. I’m about to explain when India makes her appearance, looking completely unimpressed.
“You remember my father, Alistair Walker?” I quickly say.
She nods briefly to my father.
“Morning, Mr. Walker,” she says. She’s met him a few times before at work functions. Dad looks back and forth between the two of us with a questioning expression.
“Morning, India. Is there a reason you’re here so early on a Saturday morning?”
“I was just leaving,” India says curtly. She’s not the kind to make excuses, so my father’s imagination is likely running wild.
“Well, no hurry, my dear! I just came to check in on my son and Rosie. Have they both been good?”
India cocks her head to the side. “Funnily enough, I’d say your son is more childish than the baby. I’m sure you know that already, though.”
Dad laughs loudly, clapping a hand on my back. “Son, I like this young lady. Though she doesn’t seem to like you, clearly.” He looks back at India. “See, my son needs a good woman to keep him on his toes. Keep his perspective in check, you know?”
India nods, her expression blank. “Sure. I’ll be sure to give out his number if I ever meet one keen enough to take him on.”
I can’t help being angry at the pair of them, teasing me as though I’m not here. It makes me feel three inches tall. I want to snap back, tell my father what India is really bitter about, but I keep my mouth shut. Shoving my hands angrily into my slack pockets.
“Well, India, I guess you’re right and he could use a little help in finding a woman like that. You’re his assistant, right? Why not assist in setting him up? Do you know anyone who he might click with?”
“Not really. But does your son even know what it is that he wants?”
Another dig. I wish she’d leave already, but I have a feeling my father isn’t going to let this one go. He’s enjoying himself far too much to give up now.
“Well, let’s be honest, at this point he’ll have any woman who’ll take him, eh, son?” he jests, nudging me in the ribs. India cracks a smug smile.
“Well... I guess I do know someone I could convince to go on a date. She’s single, pretty, well mannered, career-driven... And she has the patience of a saint. She’s going to need it.”
Dad claps his hands together. “Excellent! Give me her info and we’ll set something up for later this week. I can babysit while he heads out on his date. William will take your friend out to a lovely restaurant. When is your last day, India? Next Friday? Maybe that would be the perfect night for a date to take his mind off his losses.”
India glances at me, her eyes still blazing with a little anger. “I’m sure that can be arranged.”
“That’s enough, both of—”
“Nonsense, son. Lighten up. We’re just having a bit of fun. Still, you have to admit you need to put yourself out there more.”
“Dad—”
Before I can argue further, there’s more commotion at the front door. This time it’s Henry, who lets himself in with his spare key.
“The car’s ready now,” he says politely, unaware of the strange conversation he’s interrupted. “I’d be happy to take Ms. Crowley home.”
“Thank you, Henry,” I say, glancing at her. India looks back at me, unsuccessful at hiding another blush as our eyes meet, despite the fact that she obviously hates me. “See you on Monday, Mr. Walker.”
The pair leave together in silence. The moment the door closes behind them, Dad chuckles to himself.
“Well, son. Things were a little frosty just then, wouldn’t you say?”
I shake my head at him. “I can’t believe you.”
“Oh, please. Can’t you take a joke? Besides, maybe you do need to go out on a blind date to loosen up.”
I throw my hands up in exasperation.
“What? Maybe you’ve already got someone else in mind?” Dad says with faux curiosity. I can tell he sees right through me.
“Dad—”
“I thought so. Your problem is that you sit around and wait until it’s too late. You need to put in the work. Flirt a little.”
“And you’re seriously encouraging me to go for it with my assistant?”
“Look, you know I’m not the kind of man who cares about that. I gave Alex and Kit my blessing, didn’t I?”
“Yes, but after you gave them hell first.”
“Oh, blast that. And aren’t they happy now, after taking so many risks to be together?”
“Well, yes, but—”
“Stop making excuses for yourself, William. Just let it happen. Go with the flow for once, for Christ’s sake. You never know—you might actually have something worth fighting for here.” He nudges me gently. “Besides, doesn’t she leave her position in a week? After that she’s fair game.”
He could be right. He usually is. But will she ever forgive me for the way I left her alone last night?
Have I screwed this up entirely, or will I get another chance?
One thing I know about India is that she’s got walls up even higher than mine.