I take a deep breath and adjust my dress. I don’t want a tit to pop out only because it would prove him right and right now I want him to be wrong. “I just need to think on it, okay? I haven’t been single in years. I need to think. I’ve had this plan in my mind, how everything was going to be and end up, and in less than a second he changed everything I thought I knew.” The hot sting of betrayal cuts through my chest. I’m not sad about Marcus anymore. The memory of him and what he stole, gives me rage. Norah told me I needed to sort through my feelings and I snapped at her. She’s right. “This isn’t that simple.”
“Let me take you bowling tomorrow. A Ben and Harper simple date.”
Crossing my legs, I turn to glance at the side of his face. He’s so beautiful it makes my heart hurt. It’s a moment of weakness. Of taking what I want for selfish reasons. “Yes. Fine. Bowling.” Sighing, I draw his gaze.
Ben bites his bottom lip. “I’ll whip your ass like always and we can binge on dirty water beer and nachos. I bet you won’t even get food poisoning this time.”
“You make it sound so appealing,” I deadpan. The smirk rises to my face anyway. “What’s tonight then? A pre-date-date?”
“Tonight, I’m just your plus one.”
He does admirably while mingling with my coworkers and superiors. I never thought he wouldn’t. Ben is smarter than I am. This was a path he didn’t choose but could have easily excelled in. My boss is impressed with his knowledge on a current language study. I sent him the link months ago with a note to give it a read if he had time. Never in my wildest dreams had I imagined he’d give it a second look, let alone read it thoroughly enough to quote passages and dissect nuances. I almost forget this isn’t his career, nothing like his chosen profession.
Ben sings my praises, he makes sure my glass of champagne is filled at all times, and he even pretends not to notice when Marcus enters the ballroom from the side door. We see him at the same time, though, so it’s obvious he’s aware. His posture changes, his stance widens, his breaths come in a furious succession as he becomes a human shield. One of his arms turns into a mom seat belt as he backs me away from a threat half a football field away.
I never filed a restraining order against Marcus. Not because it wasn’t the right thing to do, I should have on principle alone, but I know he’s not a threat to me anymore. That moment of hypocritical anger was his moment, the last memory he’ll ever have of Harper Rosehall in his world. Not only that, but his professional life would have been ruined and my life would have been made more difficult. Facts aside, he wasn’t supposed to be here tonight and that makes my whole body itch with unease.
Looping my arm through Ben’s, I guide him to the other side of the room. There’s a live jazz band playing softly, several tables with gourmet foods spread throughout the room, all under the beautiful low light of a gregarious chandelier in room center. Ben’s whole demeanor changes at the prospect of conflict.
“Time to go then?” he asks.
Coworkers try not to stare between Marcus and me. In the act of trying not to, they do—their heads bouncing back and forth between the two of us. No one but Martina knows all the details about the demise of our relationship, one that was heralded as the most epic love story of all time. The love linguistics department. Not so much. What most are aware of is it went down fast, crashing so hard that we don’t even speak anymore or want to be in the same breathing space together.
He nudges me again, his large hand encompassing my whole waist, and repeats, “Time to go?” The taut bulge of his muscles presses against me. An anti-warning because unlike Marcus, Ben would use his muscles and body to protect me at all costs.
Squeezing Ben’s hand, I say, “I really wanted to see Martina before we left. I bet she shows up shortly. We can eat more cheese,” I offer.
When he looks at me his eyes hold a fear so palpable, it makes my heart rate pick up. “It’s fine. Look at this room full of people. Don’t be scared of him.” It’s a joke. Put the men side by side and you have a laughable match. Ben could squash Marcus with a mean glare.
“I’m afraid of what I’m going to do to him,” he replies, teeth gritted.
I tsk. “A gentleman would dance with his plus one. Not get into a”—I look around the room, narrowing my eyes—“well, I can’t call it a bar brawl, per say. How about a work function fight?” I eye the band and hold up my arms to the side. “Dance with me?” This is a new territory. Me calming Ben. “Don’t even think about him. He’s afraid of me. I could have destroyed him.” I roll my eyes for good measure.
The temptation to wrap his arms around me wins out, like I hoped it would, and he pulls me into his chest in one big heave. “You should have, Harper. I’ll forget it for the moment, but we’re coming back to this topic later. You smell so good.” Distraction manipulated. One point.
He holds me closer and bends his head into my neck. Ben doesn’t spin us, we kind of sway, and I know it’s so he can keep his gaze locked on Marcus. I shiver in response to a blast of air conditioning. “He’s ruining this for me,” Ben growls, his lips barely brushing the side of my ear.
Quickly, I tilt my head away and spy Marcus and his brother, Darren, at the bar, eyes fastened on us on the dancefloor. I’m saved when Martina dances up with her husband. She has on her standard black boxy glasses, and a dark purple sheath dress. She’s tall with quirky black curls that pop out of any updo she tries to contain them with. Tonight it’s down and wild.
“You guys win.” Martina laughs. “Most beautiful couple. That dress, though, Harper. You’re really turning over a new leaf.” Little does she know.
“Oh, stop. You look beautiful. I love your hair. May I present you withtheBenjamin Brahams,” I say, halting our awkward sway.
He reluctantly releases me and saves face with a false, happy front.
Martina gushes and is immediately caught up in conversation about Ben’s job. I think she’s the first person who knew exactly who he was and what he does. I blush for her. Her husband watches with mild amusement, shaking his head. He raises his brow when he catches me watching him.
“Tough luck with the other one,” he says, voice low.
I nod. “Yeah. He wasn’t supposed to be here. I’m glad I ran into Martina so we can get going.”
He looks confused for a moment or two. “He changed his RSVP when he saw you had a plus one,” he whispers.
Martina must tell him all of the gossip. Married people don’t have any secrets. I remind myself of this before I get irritated with my friend.
Turning slightly, I find Marcus staring at me. Darren has a different drink in his hand. “That’s surprising. He knows who I’d come with.”
Martina tunes into our conversation. “Yeah, a massive hunk of good looks and charm. My word. You’ve been keeping this one caged for all these years?”
