I tried screaming that to my body. To let it know to stop with this utter ridiculousness and return to normal. It’s not Will! It’s William Kent, Hollywood’s favorite bad boy producer and the dude who just got cheated on by his fiancée.
Just when my heart started to return to its normal rhythm, his extremely kissable lips turned up in a smile and my cheeks started to burn. I almost melted into a puddle of goo at nothing more than the sight of it because holy hell, that smile? That was all Will, and it was the exact smile I’d fallen in love with.
Chapter 9
WILLIAM
Hot damn. Anna Holland looked just as beautiful as ever. The last time I’d seen her, shortly before Christmas six years ago, I remembered thinking the same thing.
Time had definitely been kind to her. If anything, she was more beautiful now, more than half a decade older, than ever before.
Her golden hair fell in shiny curls to her shoulders, framing her beautiful, soft features like the strands were caressing her cheeks. My fingers tingled with the memory of holding that face in my hands and bringing my mouth to her heart-shaped lips. They formed a perfect bow, and kissing them had been like a drug to me once.
I’d been absolutely addicted to tasting her sweet mouth, to running my tongue over hers and eliciting low, sexy moans that she let out with abandon. It’d been like she just couldn’t hold them back, and just the faint memory of them made me drop my gaze to her lips.
Briefly. Not long enough to make it weird.
As I looked at them, her pink tongue darted out but it wasn’t in a move meant to be seductive. It was one of her nervous tells, and for some reason, I liked that I still made her nervous.
There’s something very broken in me right now to be thinking like that. But knowing that it was fucked up didn’t make it untrue. I liked knowing I still affected her, and when her hazel eyes met mine and I saw the instant flash of that old fire lighting up in them, I could’ve fucking preened.
You are not a peacock. Get yourself together, dude.
Despite my instructions to myself, I couldn’t help smiling at her. Jesus. She was the girl I’d spent more than half my life thinking I was going to marry. Seeing her here in the dining room of my family home wearing one of her usual pastel-colored dresses, I felt like I’d fallen into a time machine and traveled back a little over a decade.
Anna had slammed to a stop for a beat when I’d first turned around, but she quickly recovered from the shock of seeing me and approached us. I saw my sister’s grimace in my periphery, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away from Anna.
Some part of my brain still plastered the word MINE on her forehead like a flashing neon light. Snap the fuck out of it.
My gaze drifted down to the second finger on her left hand. I’d done the same thing the last time I’d seen her, and for some fucked up reason—again— I was relieved to find it empty. It looked like the asshole she’d left me for had never managed to close the deal.
The heartbroken nineteen-year-old inside me banged his chest in victory, but I shut him up and got to my feet to greet her. Before I could get a word in edgewise, her eyes landed on my sister’s.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt. I just thought I’d bring you some treats from Charlie. I’m going to go now. Please excuse me.”
Snagging the box from her, I popped the lid open and stole a cookie before passing it to Jessie. My sister arched a brow at me but didn’t say anything as my fingers closed around the back of the chair next to mine and pulled it out for Anna.
“Don’t you dare go anywhere,” I said. “It’s great to see you, Anna. Please join us.”
She licked her lips again, taking a slow, deep breath before turning her head to face me and giving me a smile I could tell was forced as all hell. “Hi, William. Good to see you too. Thank you for the invitation but I really should get going.”
“Nonsense.” I inclined my head at the chair before pulling it out farther. “I haven’t seen you for so long I’d almost forgotten what you look like. Sit down. Grab a bite to eat with us.”
Total bullshit. The details might’ve gone fuzzy over time, but I’d never be able to forget what she looked like. She’d been a part of me for too long.
Her gaze swung back to my sister’s, but at least Jessie managed a proper smile this time. The grimace was long gone as she waved her into a seat. “Join us, Anna. It’ll be just like old times.”
If it’s going to be just like old times, does that mean I can run my fingers along Anna’s thigh under the table? The thought popped into my head unbidden, but it seemed my dick liked the idea a lot more than my brain. What is wrong with me?
Anna glanced between us once more before nodding and flashing me a small smile to say thank you as she sat down. One of Jessie’s servers appeared at our table before things could get awkward, and my stomach turned when he looked at Anna like he wanted to lick her.
It’s just old instincts flaring back up. That’s it. It doesn’t mean anything.
Even so, I grabbed his attention by clearing my throat. He did a double-take when he recognized me, clearly knowing who I was but not expecting me to be there.
I smirked and saw Jessie rolling her eyes at me from across the table. “Ignore him, Seth. He’s just my brother when he’s here. Not that dude on all the news.”
Seth nodded but still stammered through his greeting. “What can I get everyone tonight?”
“I’ll have my usual.” Jessie didn’t even have a menu in front of her. “Will you ask Jonah for extra cheese sauce on my burger, please?”
“Of course.” He swallowed when he turned his attention on me.
“Since it’s her place, I trust Jessie’s judgment. I’ll have whatever she’s having.”
Anna smiled when she placed her order. “I’ll have a bowl of French onion soup, please.”
Seth nodded again, offered to bring us some drinks while we waited, and took off like his ass was on fire. I had a feeling everyone in town would know I was here by tomorrow, if not by later tonight.
“French onion soup, huh?” I asked Anna once he was gone, keeping my tone as casual as if we spoke every day. “That used to be your favorite, if memory serves. I can’t believe it’s still your go-to.”
She blinked too many times for it to be natural before she found her voice. “I’m surprised you remember. I’m assuming since you ordered the burger, you haven’t turned into a vegan on us after all this time in Hollywood?”
I laughed. Trust Anna to be completely earnest and direct. “Nah, we’re not all vegans out there. I did try some pescatarian diet once. Total disaster. Even my skin smelled like fish after the first week.”
Her nose wrinkled. “That sounds terrible. What about the kale thing? Is that true?”
She was trying to play it cool, but I didn’t miss the rigidity of her spine or how her eyes kept flickering to mine before darting away again. As much as I liked knowing I still had an effect on her, I didn’t want her stay nervous around me.
So what if we had a past? She was still my sister’s best friend and one of my oldest friends. It didn’t have to be awkward every time I saw her while I was here.