of the unknown.”
I nod, tears pooling.
“You’ve placed yourself in a make-believe fairy tale with make-believe heroes.” She wipes a stray tear from my cheek. “They don’t exist, Lib. But men like Will do. They may not have a castle on a hill, horses, and a crown, but they do have other things to offer.”
“Like what?”
“A huge cock.” She double-slaps my cheeks. “Wake up. You’ve got to give someone a chance to know whether they deserve it or not.”
“Ow!” I rub my face.
“Now, goodnight. If you hear noises coming from my room… enjoy them.”
I turn back to the kettle as Carly skips out of the room, and I’m not entirely sure what just happened. All I know is I’m willing to give Will a chance. But a chance at what, I’m not too sure.
The next morning, as I’m pegging my hosed-down, freshly cleaned flip-flops to dry on the clothesline, my phone buzzes in my pocket.
I reach in and pull it out to see a text from an unknown number.
Unknown: Tonight’s the night
Weird! I ignore it.
Unknown: Don’t ignore me
How rude!
Me: Who is this?
Unknown: The man you’re going to have hot, sweaty sex with tonight
Will? How’d he get my numb— Damn it, Carly!
The blinds at the window to our kitchen move, and she waves her fingers at me, her phone pressed to her ear.
I type a response.
Me: You’ve got the wrong number. Sorry, I’m celibate
Will: Are you really?
I’m tempted to say yes.
Me: NO!
Will: Wouldn’t matter if you were
I laugh. Yeah right! But then I remember what Carly said last night and decide not to assume or judge.
Me: Really?
Will: Yes, because once you see my cock, you’ll change your mind
And there you have it. I place my hand on my hip and glare at my phone.
Will: Take your hand off your hip. I’m kidding
I do as he says then freeze, dread, or perhaps excitement, waving over me. Spinning to look around the yard, I stop when I see Carly laughing.
My eyes narrow.
Me: Are you on the phone with Carly?
Will: I am
I slide my finger over my throat in a slicing motion then point at her. I know it’s melodramatic, but so is she, so she’ll get my drift.
Will: Back to tonight. I’ll pick you up at six.
Will: Wear something warm
Me: Sorry. No can do. I’m busy
Will: No, you’re not
Me: How would you know?
Will: Carly
Me: How would she know?
Will: She said you were just gonna watch Bridget Jones’s Diary with her
I flip Carly the bird.
Will: Six o’clock. Be ready. Dress warm
I don’t want to answer, but I do, because I’m not an adolescent. Plus, he said he’s gonna pick me up.
Oliver didn’t.
Me: Fine
At six o’clock on the dot, there’s a knock at the door. Quickly trying to secure the back of my earring, I fumble when Will strolls into my room, Sasha—once again—in his arms.
I can’t help but smile.
Will smiles too, his eyes slowly raking me from head to toe. I feel violated but in a good way until he shakes his head, places Sasha on the ground, and enters my wardrobe.
I’m about to object when he comes out with my grey duffel coat.
“You’re gonna need this.” He hands it to me.
I try not to frown when I take it from him, and say, “Thaaanks.”
“What’s that look for?”
“I’m just confused. You’re trying to cover me up. Don’t guys like you try to undress girls like me?”
His eyebrow hitches. “Guys like me?”
I regret the words and how I said them almost instantly. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. What I meant was don’t men in general want women to wear less, not more?”
Will steps closer and helps drape my coat over my bare shoulders. “You’ll wear much less when the time is right, sweetheart. For now, I don’t want you to get hypothermia.”
I shiver. “Hypothermia? Where are you taking me? Antarctica?”
“All you need to know is we’re gonna get high.”
“What?”
Turns out, by high, he didn’t mean weed, which I’m very grateful for.
“Sky High, Mt Dandenong?” I read the sign as we turn off the main road. “I’ve never been here before.” I sit straighter. “I’ve always wanted to though.”
“We’ve made good time, so you’ll get to see the sunset.”
“How lovely.” I cock my head a little, surprised by this thoughtful, sweet side of him.
“It’s even better after dark.” The skin at the edge of his eyes crinkles as he smiles, and he quickly glances my way before focussing on the road again.
Will’s profile is rather handsome, but it’s his full lips and mischievous eyes that