“Guilty as charged.”
“And I had to go stag.”
“I was a little surprised Michael wasn’t with you.”
“He was busy.”
“Jesus, Wills! You invited him? You’d have taken him with you?” I didn’t know who I was most unhappy with…Wills for being willing to take Michael to a family affair or Michael for not caring enough to go.
“He’d been part of my life for a long time. It’s…it’s hard to cut ties that strong.” He leaned closer and whispered, “But you know there was nothing more between us than friendship.”
Except Michael was the one who taught him how to suck cock. “How could he let you go?”
Wills looked sad, and I wondered what he was thinking, until he said, “I wish I’d known you then, babe.”
“Would I have been your date?”
“To the wedding? You’d better believe it. And you’d have had a blast.”
Cathy linked her fingers with Lexi’s. “Not to sound prejudiced, but our families have the most amazing weddings.”
“This is true. We had the absolute best time.” And considering the expression on his face, that wasn’t hard to believe.
“Yes, we did,” his cousin agreed. “That DJ was amazing.”
“Maybe we can use him for our wedding, babe. What was his name again, Cath?”
“Lou something. I’ll have to ask Merry.”
“Thanks! And speaking of Merry, how are she and Alan?”
“They’re expecting.”
“No kidding? When?”
“In December. They’re hoping for a Christmas baby.”
“Ah, that’s sweet.” Wills was almost bubbling with pleasure. He’d be a really good dad. “Babies are in the air.”
I’d have to make sure we had one. Maybe Paul would know of an unwed mother who would let us adopt her baby…
“It seems so,” Cathy was saying. “I heard your dad and Jill are expecting, too.”
“Yes, in September.”
“What’s she having this time?”
“Oh, it’s a boy. That’s all we Mathesons seem to get.”
“What about Marti?”
“I know.” Wills’s eyes sparkled. “Her arrival threw everyone for a loop.”
“You know Grandma and Grandpa don’t think she’s Uncle Jack’s.”
I spit out a mouthful of coffee. My God, how sick was that, spreading such a horrible rumor about that sweet little girl?
“No, I didn’t know that.” All trace of enjoyment vanished from Wills’s face; he wore that cold, flat expression.
“Dammit. Me and my big mouth. I’m sorry, Will.”
“I can’t believe they’d…I guess they never saw photos. When Marti was born, she was the spitting image of Dad at the same age, just more feminine. We never questioned…. Cath, who else knows they think that way?”
“Just Mom and Dad. I heard them arguing about it one night. They didn’t realize anyone else was in the house. They still don’t know I was there.”
“Can you keep it that way? I don’t want Marti to ever find out about that.”
“Don’t worry, Will. My lips are sealed.”
“Thanks.”
I slid an arm around his shoulders. “I’m so sorry, babe.”
“I don’t think you’ll have to worry about me sending those cards. They can say whatever they choose about me, but Marti’s a little girl, and she’s done nothing to deserve their spite.”
“May I ask you a question, Will?” Lexi had been taking in the entire conversation, the same as I had. Was she regretting getting involved with someone who had such vitriolic grandparents?
“Shoot.”
“How do you feel about this baby?”
“Excuse me?”
“You’re old enough to be his father.”
“Yes, but I’m his brother. After we’re married, Theo and I want to adopt. It’s going to be strange for Peter William to have a nephew who’s only a couple of years younger—” Jack and Jill had decided to name this little boy after Jack’s brother and father, starting their own tradition.
“Or niece, Wills.” I kind of liked the idea of a little girl.
“Or niece.”
“Wills is going to make the best dad.” Me, I wasn’t too sure about, but I had no doubts about him. “You should have seen him with Harry’s kids last year.”
“I’m right here, you know.” A blush ran from his open-necked collar to his hairline to the tips of his ears.
“I saw him with Marti at Merry and Alan’s wedding.” Cathy tipped her head and stared at Wills thoughtfully. “What about the surrogacy route?”
“Yes, we intend to explore that option as well.”
“Will, I know we’re first cousins, but…would you consider me for a surrogate?”
“Cath, I appreciate the offer, really I do, but aren’t you here to apply for a position that will take you to Italy?”
She patted his cheek. “If we actually get the jobs, I could donate my eggs.”
“I have no idea how we’d go about this.” But Wills looked dazzled by the premise, and as far as I was concerned, that settled it. I’d stop at nothing to make sure he had his children.