by M. Malone
Afterward, he showed the kids some of the soil samples their mom helped to care for and gave them a tour. They thought sleeping in a loft was the coolest thing ever. Normally it would have felt strange to have people in his private space but Bennett found he didn’t mind this time.
His cold lab had never felt more like home.
While Katie was showing Matthew the soil samples that contained the worms, Bennett noticed Hunter getting closer and closer. Quiet and introspective, the little boy had been the hardest of the two children to win over but also the one who reminded Bennett the most of himself.
“So you live here all by yourself?” Hunter asked.
Bennett looked around. He guessed from a child’s perspective, it was a strange place to live. There were no couches or comfortable furniture. The only television was the one upstairs in the loft. It probably looked awful to a kid.
“I do. I’ve lived here for almost ten years now.”
Hunter’s eyes rounded. “Whoa. That’s a long time.”
Bennett chuckled. Ten years to a child probably sounded like forever. Just then there was a knock on the door and Mark stuck his head inside. By the gleeful smile on his face, he’d heard from Julia that Katie and the kids were there.
“Does anyone here want ice cream?” Mark came in and placed a plastic carton of ice cream down on one of the tables.
While Matthew immediately raced forward, Hunter hung back hesitantly. Katie noticed and glanced at Bennett worriedly. He motioned for her to go ahead. Then he knelt down so Hunter wouldn’t have to strain to see him.
“You don’t feel like ice cream right now? It’s okay. We can save it for later.”
Hunter kicked at the ground before glancing over at Bennett. “My dad is supposed to take us for ice cream soon. But he might forget. He does that a lot.”
Katie had talked about her frustrations with her ex-husband’s work schedule before. He wasn’t going to pretend he understood how hard it was to balance work and family since he hadn’t had that privilege yet. However, he sincerely hoped his family would always know that he valued his time with them more than anything else.
“I’m sorry about that, buddy. Sometimes adults mess up things, too. But that’s not your fault. Your mom told me you’re a great kid."
Hunter glanced over at his mother. “She did?”
Bennett was suddenly filled with empathy. He may not know what it was like to deal with divorce but he definitely understood wondering if your parents were proud of you. He took a chance and placed a hand on Hunter’s shoulder.
“Your mom is very proud of you, Hunter. And even though your dad forgets things sometimes, I’m sure he’s proud of you, too.”
The smile on the little boy’s face was better than any prize.
Just then Katie walked up. “The ice cream is really good. It’s homemade.”
Bennett stood and pulled her into his embrace. Katie stiffened and pushed away slightly. Bennett followed her eyes to where Hunter watched them curiously. He’d hugged her instinctively and hadn’t realized that she might be hesitant about showing affection in front of the kids yet.
Hunter looked between them. “Are you my mom’s boyfriend?”
Katie’s little gasp of breath betrayed her surprise, but Bennett grinned. “Yes, I am,” he answered decisively.
Hunter pursed his lips. “Did you remember not to chew with your mouth open?”
Bennett glanced at Katie in amusement. “I did. Thanks for the tip, buddy. I’m pretty sure that was a major point in my favor.”
♥
The rest of the week passed uneventfully. Now that they’d gotten the initial awkward, boyfriend conversation over with the kids, Bennett had started to spend some evenings with Katie at her house.
Katie had been worried that he’d find the kids’ noise and disruptions annoying. Bennett had to remind her that noise was what he’d grown up with. He laughed just thinking about it. His parents would get a kick out of that when he told them. Although just a few weeks ago he would have said that he preferred his solitude, now that he had someone to spend the evenings with, he could admit how lonely he’d been before. Bennett was quickly getting used to having people who were happy to see him when he arrived.
The kids had been understandably shy around him in the beginning but they’d quickly grown accustomed to his presence. Now they greeted him with the same effusive joy they showed toward their mother the times he waited with Katie to meet their bus. She told him that Matthew had decided he was “sick” because he wasn’t scared to pick up a bug with his bare hands.
Sick, he was told, meant that he was cool. Bennett held the compliment with the kind of esteem usually given to prestigious awards. He scored even further cool points when he showed them the rainwater collection device that was his first patented invention. It was the simplest of his patented designs, and the object of his old classmate’s derision, but it would always be his favorite.
Hunter had asked if he could help invent something. Bennett wasn’t sure how but he’d find something they could work on together. The surge of affection he’d felt explaining his design process to the little boy had taken him off guard. Children had always been something Bennett had hoped for one day but while talking with Hunter, it had hit him that he was looking at an image of what his own child might look like one day. If he was lucky, it wouldn’t be too long.
It had taken a lot of effort for him not to mention it to Katie. He didn’t want to scare her away talking about children too soon. What woman wouldn’t run away if she knew her boyfriend was excited to get her pregnant as soon as possible? But maybe after she’d had more time with him, time to trust him, they could discuss it. It was enough just to know the possibility was there. Everything he’d ever dreamed of was within reach.
By the time Friday afternoon arrived, Bennett figured he was ready to bring it up. He’d wait until she had the kids in bed and then he’d pour her a glass of wine. That was the right environment to have a rational discussion about their future, right?
Suddenly, the alarm on Katie’s phone went off. Bennett looked up from his notes at the grating noise. Katie sent him an apologetic glance.
“Sorry. I could have sworn I turned the sound off on my phone.”
Bennett smiled so she’d know he wasn’t upset. He had few rules in the lab but the ones he had revolved around technology. For some reason, he’d always found sudden sounds to be very distracting. He couldn’t even work to music.
Katie pulled her phone out of her pocket and then smiled. “Oh, I almost forgot. It’s Girls’ Night tonight. I’m supposed to bring the tequila.”
Bennett wrinkled his brow, his plans for a relaxing evening disappearing like smoke. “Girls’ Night?”
“You know, it’s when we all get together and complain about our men and drink margaritas.” She laughed but her smile fell when he didn’t laugh with her. “What’s the matter?”
Bennett swallowed hard, his mouth suddenly as dry as sawdust. “So you’re going to tell the others things about me?”
Katie looked confused. She probably had no clue why the possibility of her discussing their relationship would make him break out into a cold sweat. She was a social butterfly. Bennett’s experience with large groups was usually being the butt of the jokes.
Then suddenly her face softened.
“Bennett, anything I tell them would be good things. You know that, right?”
He looked up hesitantly. “It would be?”
“Well, yeah. I mean, I can’t tell them too much or I’d just be bragging.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “No one wants to hear about my brilliant boyfriend who gives me multiple orgasms over and over again.”
Bennett grinned. “You can definitely tell them that part.”
Katie’s dirty laugh wrapped around him like a hug. She comforted him, he realized as Katie went into the office to do any last minute organizing before the weekend.
He guessed he wouldn’t get to se
e her until tomorrow since she had plans with her girlfriends. The thought that he wouldn’t get to see her tonight bothered him.
Bennett finally understood why people would do such ridiculous things for love. It was addictive, this feeling. It was actually a bit of a miracle, carrying around the constant knowledge that someone out there in the world loved you, not because they were obligated to by familial connection or proximity, but just because they couldn’t help themselves.
Which was why he was so shocked when Katie came out of his office with a guarded look on her face.
“Is everything okay?”
He wasn’t sure what could be wrong. She’d only gone into his office to check his messages since she’d forgotten to do it earlier. Since Katie had come, Bennett rarely even looked at his phone or listened to his messages anymore.
“Sure. You just had a message from Olivia.”
“Oh. Well, I can call her back later.”
That was clearly the wrong thing to say because Katie’s eyes flashed fire.
“Bennett, she was asking about where you wanted to go for dinner before the award ceremony next weekend. Why does she still think you’re taking her?”
He could feel the warning sound in the back of his mind but wasn’t sure how to interpret it.
“Because I am. I usually visit Olivia a few times a year and it just so happens that our visit this time will be at the awards ceremony.”
Katie’s eyes practically bugged out of her head. “Wait, so you’re perfectly fine with taking another woman on a date?”
The warnings sounds now came with flashing lights and barricades.
“No. It’s not a date. It’s just me hanging out with Olivia.”
Katie’s eyes narrowed. “The same woman that you hired me to teach you how to impress?”
Bennett opened his mouth to respond but Katie had already turned away.
“I have to go. Mrs. Hillard is bringing over her grandson to play with the kids tonight. She’ll be arriving soon.”
All Bennett could do was watch helplessly as Katie gathered her things. He tried to catch her eye but she wouldn’t meet his gaze. Panic rose as he wondered what he should do. She didn’t want to talk, that much was clear, but he couldn’t just let her leave.
“Katie, wait. Please don’t leave angry. Tell me what to do.”
She tugged on her hand and hitched her bag up higher on her shoulder. “I can’t tell you how to fix this one, Bennett. I need you to figure it out on your own. Because I’m not interested in sharing my boyfriend with someone else.”
“I know it looks bad but Olivia and I are just friends. I can’t cancel on her this close to the event. That would be rude.”
Katie gave a sharp nod. “Right. Pardon me. Because you’ve always been so keen on following the rules of etiquette. Have fun at the award ceremony.”
Bennett’s mouth fell open as she pushed past him and closed the door behind her. He had to stop himself from chasing after her. If she was angry now, making a scene definitely wouldn’t help his case.
But he didn’t think he was being unreasonable. Was he really supposed to ditch a longtime friend just because he had a girlfriend now? Was that really the way things worked? He contemplated calling one of his brothers to ask but Katie’s sharp words came back to haunt him.
I need you to figure it out on your own.
That burned. Her angry words had hit him right in the gut. Bennett sighed. If figuring it out on his own was the solution, then he might as well give up hope now.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
♥
Katie stirred her margarita and wished she liked the taste of tequila straight. Because these cutesy drinks weren't getting the job done tonight.
Girls' Night had gotten off to a roaring start when Raina had walked in and announced that she’d just been booked for her first major modeling campaign since having her daughter. Everyone was in a celebratory mood after that and the alcohol flowed freely. In addition to Raina and Ridley, Penny, Kaylee and her best friend, Sasha, rounded out the group. They were at Ridley’s house, so she wouldn’t have to go far, and they all felt comfortable letting their hair down.
Everyone except Katie, that is.
She took another sip of her drink, determined not to bring everyone down with her disgruntled mood. Katie hated to be the lone buzzkill, especially since she knew if the other girls found out she was upset, the entire night would become about helping her with her man trouble. It wasn’t fair to put everyone in a bad mood just because Bennett was impossible.
Heat rushed to her cheeks as she recalled their tense conversation. She wasn’t even sure where things had gone so wrong. He’d been so sweet, worrying about what she would tell her friends. When she’d told him that she’d only be bragging about him, the smile that crossed his face had made Katie feel like she’d just won the lottery.
For a man as sensitive as Bennett was, it was a wonder he could be so clueless about why going on a date with another woman was a bad idea.
Katie sighed.
“You’re not drinking. Is it too strong?” Ridley asked. “I probably overdid it. Since I can’t have alcohol anymore, I had to guess at how much tequila to add. Jackson tasted it before he left and said it was okay, though.”
Ridley smiled at the thought of her husband. Katie had been worried about them but if the satisfied smile on her friend’s face was any indication, they had worked things out. Just as Katie had known they would.
“No, the drink is good. I’m just daydreaming.”
“Are the kids okay?” Ridley pressed.
“Oh yeah. They’re fine. Mrs. Hillard is babysitting tonight and she brought her grandson Carter along again. They always have a good time when she babysits so it’s not that.”
“But it is something,” Ridley argued, her eyes narrowing.
Kaylee plopped down on the couch beside Katie. “You might as well just tell her. You know how she gets.”
The whole group laughed at Ridley’s disgruntled face. Raina patted her twin’s hand consolingly. “You know it’s true, Ri. You’re not happy unless you’re meddling.”
Kaylee covered her mouth with her hand she was laughing so hard. “You’d better watch out. If she thinks you’re not moving fast enough, you’ll end up booked into a hotel with Bennett.”
“That was an accident I swear,” Ridley said.
Kay didn’t look convinced. “I think your brain does matchmaking subconsciously.”
Ridley sniffed. “I’m just concerned for my friends. I want you all to be happy, that’s all.” Her voice was small and Katie instantly felt bad about the teasing.
“I know you do, Ri. I’m happy. I’m just … confused. Okay, here’s the thing.”
Katie took a deep breath. If she was going to tell them what happened, she had to choose her words carefully. No matter how angry she was, Bennett was still their brother-in-law.
“You know how Bennett and I have been dating, right?”
“Uh huh. Things seem to be going well. Julia’s thrilled about it, you know.”
Katie winced. “I’d hate for her to get her hopes up. Especially since it’s probably already over.”
Ridley’s eyes widened. “Whoa. What does that mean?”
“You know how Bennett originally wanted me to help him so he could impress his friend Olivia?”
There was a chorus of nods and hummed agreement. Katie figured they’d all heard the story through the grapevine by now.
“Well, apparently even though we’re together, Bennett is still going on a date with Olivia.”
Ridley’s mouth fell open. “Wait, what? Bennett wouldn’t do that!”
“Oh, I didn’t think so either. So I asked him point blank and he said he couldn’t cancel on her so close to the event. That it was rude. The man who would barely say hello to his neighbors is worried about being rude.”
“That’s crazy. I can’t believe Bennett said that. I’m going to give him a piece of my mind the nex
t time I see him.” Ridley looked outraged on her behalf.
“No, I don’t want that. He should be with me because he wants to be. Not because he’s afraid of his sister-in-law.”
“He’s not afraid of me,” Ridley protested.
Raina looked at her twin from the corner of her eye. “Um, you haven’t seen you when you’re on a tear. You’re pretty scary.”
Kaylee got up and came back with the pitcher of margaritas. Without asking she refilled Katie’s cup. “This sucks. I still think we should go kick his ass. Why do men have to be such idiots?”
Soon the room was a chorus of voices, all talking about the dumb things their men had done. It was supposed to make her feel better, but all the chatter only made her feel worse. The other girls were complaining about their men while secure in the knowledge that their guys loved them. They would complain for an hour but then they’d go home to that man’s welcoming embrace.
While Katie would be climbing into her cold, empty bed. Alone.
All at once, Katie was tired of talking about Bennett. No amount of talking was going to fix this. He simply didn’t want her enough if the idea of going out with another woman didn’t bother him.
Maybe he really does see her as just a friend, a desperate part of her brain protested.
But Katie realized that it didn’t really matter. Because if they were really just friends, Bennett would have invited her to come along as well. Wouldn’t he want to introduce her to Olivia if they were such close friends?
Face it, Katie. You were his second choice all along.
The one thing she’d promised she’d never be again.
♥
By the time Katie arrived at home a little after midnight, she was exhausted from too much alcohol and too many hours dissecting her relationship with Bennett.
The other girls had been happy to take her mind off things by discussing what was going on in their lives but truthfully, Katie had only been half listening. All she kept seeing in her mind was Bennett’s face when she walked out.