Will gave a clipped nod. “He and Aly live with me.”
Before Gennifer could respond, another voice echoed from the front door. “Hey, hottie, I know you’re not big on climate change, but can we at least agree it’s a waste of money to leave the door open and heat the whole planet?”
* * *
Thank God Lily was here.
His girlfriend was as tense as nails, and Will wanted Genni out of here so he could put Aly at ease. Knowing Genni, she’d probably barged in and taken over, purposely making Aly feel like she was the one who didn’t belong. His ex was good at that.
Will shifted slightly, not letting Aly out of his grasp.
“Sorry, Lily. That was Andy. The damn kid never shuts the door.” Will tried his best to chuckle.
“Time to teach him all about the monster called global warming.” Lily smirked.
“Do not try to scare my kid.” Will laughed, thankful for the lightheartedness the woman brought wherever she went.
“Your kid?” His ex’s tone was sharp.
He still hadn’t figured out why Genni was here, but he wanted her out. He hadn’t heard a peep since that call she’d made to tell him she was married. But she’d shown up here claiming they were separated, so he could only assume she wouldn’t go easy.
“And who is this goddess?” Lily asked.
Will winced when Aly’s whole being slumped next to him.
Genni was beautiful, but she had nothing on the woman he had pinned to his side. Never in all the years they dated had she taken Will’s breath away. Never had he sat at his desk at the gym, daydreaming about stripping her down and losing himself in her. Never did he rush home to spend a few extra minutes with her. Genni was ordinary, but Aly was extraordinary.
It wasn’t just that she was beautiful. It was her inner strength. Her ability to be calm in the face of everything for everyone around her. The way she kept going through life, with this perfect mix ofI will do thisand the humble nature about everything she achieved. This woman amazed him regularly.
“Gennifer Sterns,” she said, stepping forward and lifting her chin. “Will and I dated for five years.”
Lily whipped her head in Will’s direction and glared in accusation, but all he could do was shrug. He wasn’t the one who’d called Genni a goddess. The only goddess in the room, as far as he was concerned, was standing next to him in a stained T-shirt. He cleared his throat. He’d deal with Lily after he talked to Aly, but first he had to get rid of Genni.
“Lil, I put the crap you ask for in the kitchen. Cor and T will be here in a few, and I invited Danny for you, so we’ll need six candy cane martinis.” Will hoped to win some points with his girlfriend’s ferocious friend.
Lily rubbed her hands together. “Ooh, hottie, you’re the best wingman a girl could ask for.” Then she pulled on Aly’s hand, forcing her from Will’s grasp. “Come on. Looks like whatever’s going on here will be best explained over liquor.”
Will watched Aly cross the room, and when she glanced over her shoulder at him, he sent her an encouraging smile.
“I’m sorry. I meant it when I said I hadn’t heard you were dating, let alonelivingwith someone,” Genni said once they were gone.
“Now you know.” Will gestured toward the door.
“You love her.” It was a statement rather than a question.
Will almost hedged a response, but he’d never get that lie past his lips. “More than I realized was possible.”
“She’s lucky,” Genni said, her expression genuine.
“I’m the lucky one,” Will corrected. “Can I walk you out?”
The second he had the door shut behind Genni, he darted for the kitchen.
“She said they were about to get married,” Aly murmured at the countertop in front of her while Lily dumped a healthy amount of the pink drink into a martini glass rimmed with crushed candy cane.
“No!” Will shouted, not caring if they accused him of eavesdropping.
Lily glared at him while Aly’s sad eyes and wounded expression stabbed at his heart.