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"All this trouble with his son over Mary Jo and Noelle has taken its toll Ben tires so easily these days He takes a nap every afternoon A long nap"
"Well, that explainsthe appointment" He paused "Every afternoon?"
"Yes, and Harry, too It’s the only time I see the cat He crawls into Ben’s lap and the two of them snooze away pretty much the whole afternoon, seven days a week Ben’s ns of memory loss, but Ben isn’t far behind"
Will exhaled slowly "Are you saying you don’t think they should return to the house at all? Not even for the short teret to turn off the stove again and next ti to talk to them about this?" The way he asked iht we should tell theether"
"Okaaay," he drawled "Do you have any idea about how to approach theht be wise to know exactly where they should move first, don’t you? Or at least have soot around to doing anything about it yet"
Will sighed, then nodded "If you want to make us some appointments, we--"
Someone knocked politely at the office door Will looked mildly surprised "Yes?" he called out
Miranda opened the door a few inches "Excuse me, but Shirley Bliss is here--"
Will was instantly on his feet, his face eager "Shirley’s here?"
"With Larry Knight"
Will’s smile faded as quickly as it had come "She’s with Larry," he muttered, as if he found the other man’s name distasteful
"They’d like to speak to you for a mo as Miranda ushered Shirley and Larry into the office
Will made introductions; Shirley smiled and Larry shook hands with Olivia
"I hope we’re not interrupting anything iized
"It’s fine," Will said "Olivia and I were discussing a family matter What can I do for you?"
Larry placed his arm around Shirley’s waist "We wanted to tell you in person that I’ve asked Shirley to be my wife"
Olivia noticed that Will’s smile looked decidedly forced
"If it wasn’t for you, I never would’ve met Larry" Shirley held out her left hand and displayed a beautiful solitaire dia
"Have you set the date?" Will asked
"Not yet," Shirley said
"But it’ll be soon," Larry added "I’ve been alone long enough I want Shirley with rateful you asked me to attend that show at the Seattle Art Museum," Shirley said, her expression radiant "I alratulations," Olivia told the happy couple If Will wasn’t going to say it, she would
"Yes, by all ratulations," Will said
"We’ll be in touch" Shirley started out the door "Bye, Will, Olivia"
"Thanks again," Larry said, turning to follow her out
Will closed the door firmly behind them "Shirley was my date that afternoon and then Larry swooped in on her and--"
"Will," Olivia said "What’s your problem? Anyone with eyes can see how much in love they are"
"I know, I know But I’d hoped Shirley would fall in love with me!"
"And ould she do that?" Olivia asked bluntly
"Why? Well, because…"
"What do you have in coallery and she’s an artist?"
"Isn’t that enough?"
"Will, not every wo to fall at your feet in adoration"
"Jeez, you sound like Miranda! I happen to like Shirley Bliss"
"And you tried to charm her the way you did with practically every woman you’ve met, whether you were married or not" That last reood husband He’d cheated on his wife repeatedly, and Olivia didn’t care what his excuses were
"You could’ve gone all day without saying that," Will snapped "Okay, so I wasn’t the world’s best husband I ado just took a major hit, and if I want to whine a bit I should be able to"
"Okay, fine Be a little boy for a couple of et over it"
He stood and walked over to the cabinet "How about a glass of wine? I could use a drink"
"Sure Shall we invite Miranda to join us?" The gallery was closed by now and she was probably waiting
Will shrugged "I suppose"