He moved up closer beside her, leaving only inches between them. She suspected he was deliberately crowding her and so stood her ground rather than give in to the urge to retreat to a more comfortable distance.
“So you were out with a friend.”
Okay, here it comes. “Yes, I was.”
He turned his back on the painting to look directly at her. “Anyone I know?”
“No.”
“And since your mother wasn’t aware that you’d been out on a date last night, I’m guessing she doesn’t know him, either.”
Damn him, she did not want to have this discussion, especially not here. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to find Jacob.”
Before she’d gone two steps, Benton grabbed her by the arm. “Look, maybe I’m overstepping my bounds, but I still care, Natalie. Our parents aren’t the only ones who hope that you and I can work through our problems. I haven’t seen anyone else since you gave the ring back. It wouldn’t feel right, because I haven’t given up on us yet.”
Patience, Natalie, patience.He had no right to question her decision to move on with her life or to make her feel guilty for doing exactly that. She stared down at his hand until he finally released his hold on her.
“I haven’t changed my mind, and I don’t see that happening. I’m sorry if that hurts you, but I really wish you’d respect my decision.” She finally stepped out of his reach. “Now, as I said, I really do need to find Jacob.”
Her father caught up with her while she was writing out the check. “I saw you and Benton talking over there in the corner. Is everything all right?”
It was tempting to lie, but maybe it was time for some hard truths. “No, it isn’t. I realize that you and Mom are still friends with Benton’s parents, which means our paths are likely to continue to cross occasionally. I’m hoping eventually it will get easier, that maybe he and I can get back to being just friends.”
She closed the checkbook and stuck it back in her purse, using the few seconds to regain a bit of composure. “To be honest, Dad, if I’d known for certain he would be here tonight, I might not have come.”
Her blunt statement clearly shocked her father. “Why? What’s he done to upset you so badly?”
“He wants to get back together, and I don’t want that at all. Until he accepts that that part of our lives is over and done with, things are bound to be awkward between us.”
Her dad cleared his throat. “I have to admit that we were all shocked when you gave the ring back, sweetheart. You two seemed like such a perfect match. From what we’ve heard, it wasn’t as if you were fighting or anything. His parents both say that you really blindsided him when you announced you wanted to break up.”
“Dad, this is neither the time nor the place for this.” She blinked back the sudden burn of tears. “It’s been a long, hard day, and I’m tired. I’m long past ready to go home, but before I leave, I’ll say one more thing on the subject. When I do get married, I want the kind of relationship you and Mom have. I’m sorry, but I’ll never have that with Benton. The sooner everyone accepts that, the better. Tell Mom she was right about Julie’s art.”
Then she walked away, wishing she didn’t feel so damn alone in the crowded room.
—
Quitting time had come and gone an hour ago, and Jack was not happy about still being on the job. He clearly would rather be home with his wife than painting this wall. “So, tell me again why we have to finish the job today?”
Tino took a swig out of his water bottle and glared at Jack through sandpaper eyes. It wasn’t as if he hadn’t put in a long day himself. “For the umpteenth time, we need to finish because I’m not available to help you tomorrow. Drag it out another day if you want to, but you’ll be on your own.”
They had only half of one wall left to paint before they could clean up the last of their mess and go home. Tino kept methodically wielding the paint roller while Jack watched him do it.
Jack crowded closer. “Did it occur to you that Caitlyn and I might have had plans for tonight?”
No, it hadn’t. Regardless, if the idiot would shut up and work, they could be done in less than an hour. “Fine, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“But—”
Tino rounded on his brother. “Look, leave if you want to. I told you I’d help this week, and I have. If you need to get home to the wife and kid, go. Maybe Ricky wouldn’t mind coming back with you in the morning to do the final cleanup and walk-through with the owner. Hell, I’ll even pay him out of my own pocket. Regardless of what you decide, I won’t be here tomorrow.”
Jack muttered a few curses, but at least he grimly set about cutting in the last few edges with a brush. “So tell me about this Natalie.”
How much did he really want to share? Enough to make his brother understand he wasn’t being an asshole for no reason.
“She’s barely over five feet tall, blue eyes, and this wild, curly blond hair that probably has driven her crazy her whole life.” He paused to refill his roller and decide what else he could say. “I like her attitude.”
His brother snorted. “I’m guessing you like a whole lot more than her attitude.”
