Once Upon a List by Robin Gold Read Free Book Online Page B

sheepishly, unable to believe that she was actually standing next to Billy fucking Warrington in the flesh. He smelled good and manly, like a combination of spearmint and musty cologne.
    â€œIt’s terrific to see you,” he said. “Do you live around here?”
    â€œNo, I’m just visiting for the weekend from Boston. And you?”
    William glanced at his Rolex. “Shoot! I apologize for having to rush off like this. Someone’s waiting for me in the parking lot and we’re already running ten minutes late to an appointment. Please forgive me.” Hurrying toward the exit, he stopped, looked over his shoulder, and grinned at Clara. “Maybe I’ll see you around town over the weekend.”
    She hadn’t so much as even considered Billy/William Warrington in decades, and now, in the span of a day, his name had come up not once, but twice. And here they were actually standing in the same room together! What were the odds? Clara did not believe in coincidences. And though she had stopped believing in God, she speculated that this random encounter surely had to hold some level of significance. If everything in life happened for a reason, which seemed to be a popular—not to mention annoying—theory applicable to her fiancé’s untimely passing, then certainly this too had to be some sort of sign. Why, it just had to be.
    Suddenly, before Clara had time to even think about it, or realize what she was doing, she dropped the Enquirer on the floor, gave up her place in line, and raced after William. “Wait! William! HOLD ON!” she shouted. Operating on autopilot, she navigated her way through a slalom course of uniformed bag-boys, caught up to William just as he was about to step inside the revolving glass door, spun his body around, grabbed him by his trench coat lapel, yanked him toward her, and planted a big, wet, passionate kiss right smack dab on his lips.
    Several amused shoppers witnessing the spectacle clapped their hands, as if it were the climactic scene in a romance film, and a little wrinkled old lady wearing a shawl around her shoulders made a triumphant fist, grinning. “Go get him, honey!”
    When she finally ended their impromptu smooch, Clara pulled away from William, beaming.
    In an obvious state of confused astonishment, he pointed at the parking lot, stuttering, “Hans . . . Hans . . . Hans is out there waiting for me.”
    Equally surprised, Clara felt lightning bolts of adrenaline coursing through her veins.
    â€œHe’s—He’s my husband,” said William, frozen in place with his startled eyes opened unnaturally wide.

 
    6.
    C lara raced through Libby’s front door to discover her family decorating the foyer with jewel-hued floral arrangements, candles, and gourds. “Hello!” she greeted them, grinning exuberantly and removing her coat to hang it up in the closet. “It looks wonderful in here. Very festive!”
    Libby and Leo shared a curious look.
    â€œYou’ll never believe what happened to me at Foodthings. I mean, never !” Clara rushed on. “To be honest, I still can’t quite believe it myself.”
    â€œWhat happened?” asked Leo.
    â€œYou didn’t accidentally forget to pick anything up, did you?” Libby cringed, adding some autumn leaves to the cornucopia on the table in the center of the foyer.
    â€œOf course not.” Clara practically bounced in her shoes. “But I did accidentally make out with a gay man!”
    â€œExcuse me?” Leo’s eyes bulged. “What are you talking about?”
    â€œI’m talking about Billy Warrington!” Just saying his name made Clara smile. “Oops! I mean, William Warrington. He goes by William these days.”
    â€œAre you serious? You saw Billy Warrington?” Leo confirmed, slack jawed. “And he’s gay?”
    â€œQuite! He’s married to