and definitely room for a high-end restaurant. There’s also plenty of free space on the property that could be used to build more accommodations, perhaps a spa and swimming pool complex…
My mind just whirs with ideas as the manager shows us around the place, ending the tour in the cellar wine store where he offers us a free bottle of the winery’s prized Pinot Noir.
“So, what did you think?” Will asks as we get back in the car to drive the short distance to a nearby restaurant for some dinner.
“Well, I have to talk it over with Emily, but I’m definitely interested.”
“I knew it!” he exclaims, tossing his head back with a wild grin. “I could practically see your mind picturing it once it was all refurbished. It was like watching someone walking around wearing virtual reality goggles.”
I let out a sputter of laughter. “And have you seen many people walking around with virtual reality goggles?”
Will shrugs. “Well, no, but I can imagine.”
I pull into a parking space outside a little Italian bistro. Clasping Will’s hand, I lead him into the restaurant and toward the table the host directs us to.
“You know,” Will says as we take seats opposite each other at a cozy table by the window. “This is technically our first date.”
My mouth spreads into a wide grin. “I guess it is.”
A server approaches our table to take our drinks order and we each ask for a beer. I decided to save the wine we were gifted for when we get back to the city and can really enjoy it.
“Okay, what’s your worst fear?” Will asks.
“Huh?”
“We’re on a date—this is date talk.”
My brows shoot up. “This is what you talk about on dates?”
“Spencer…”
I smile indulgently. “Fine.” I think about it for a moment, wondering if I should say something run-of-the-mill like snakes or small spaces. But then I realize it’s Will I’m talking to and he deserves complete honesty. Drawing in a heavy breath, I admit, “Turning into my father.”
Will’s quiet for a long moment before asking gently, “And what would be so bad about that?”
I sigh. “Let’s just say you should be glad you haven’t met him.”
“Spence…”
I rake a hand through my hair and take a generous sip of my beer before returning my attention to Will. “Look, he’s not a complete monster. He was never violent or especially cruel, and it’s not like he’s a master criminal or a dictator or something like that. I’m sure there are worse fathers to have. He’s just…selfish, and egotistical, and completely lacking in any kind of compassion or care for what other people are going through. Especially when it comes to what other people have to go through because of his actions.” I take another sip of my beer before plowing ahead. “He’s had four wives and he’s cheated on all of them. He bullies the people he works with. He greases palms to make problems magically go away. He’s just…everything I despise. And I don’t ever want to be like him.”
“You won’t be,” Will says, reaching across the table to rub his hand over the back of mine.
I shake my head. “You can’t be sure of that.”
“Yeah, I can,” he says in a voice full of steely determination. “Spencer, you keep a miniature TARDIS on your shelf simply because your niece gave it to you. You bought my mom—a woman you’d never met—an expensive kitchen appliance just to make her life a little easier. You think about other people, all the time. And you have the biggest heart. You’re the absolute opposite of your father.”
I swallow hard, the absolute conviction in his voice almost overwhelming me. I grip his hand and bring it to my lips, pressing a kiss to the knuckles. I love you. I don’t say it aloud, but the words are there, beating against my heart. They’re written across my brain in indelible ink. I love you, Will Crawford.
“Thank you,” I whisper a little hoarsely.
He offers a gentle smile. “Always.”
“So, what’s your biggest fear, then?” I ask, wanting to move the conversation along.
His face screws up in distaste. “Spiders.”
“Seriously?” I raise a skeptical brow. That just seems so normal for someone as special as Will.
He nods. “Yep. Ever since that scene in Chamber of Secrets.” He gives a full body shiver and I don’t doubt he’s freaked out remembering the movie.
“That’s…Harry Potter, right?”
Will’s mouth drops open in horror. “You don’t know Doctor Who or Harry Potter?” he asks incredulously.
I shrug. “I’m not really a fantasy