“I like that we have our own tradition,” she says, tugging at the hem of her jean shorts.
I can’t help the smile that pulls at my lips or the giddy feeling coursing through me. It’s been a week since I had her over for dinner at my place, and I was this close to kissing the hell out of her—and then some.
Part of me wishes it had happened. Every time I’m at my kitchen sink washing up, I think of that moment when my hands were on her hips. We were so close I could taste her sweet breath, and she was looking at me like she wanted to attack me.
No doubt sex with Becca would be mind-blowing. But when she put a halt to things because she felt she wasn’t ready, I understood completely. As attracted as I am to her, that’s not the only reason I like her. She’s also become a good friend to me in the nearly six weeks we’ve known one another. I’ve never developed a friendship so quickly, and that’s not a fact I take for granted. Yeah, I’d be psyched if Becca changes her mind someday and wants to date me. But right now what she needs is a friend, and I want to be that for her.
“You know I’m always up for a drink,” I say. I send the video we just filmed to Becca and break down my tripod.
“How about that champagne bar down the street?” she says. “I’m in the mood for bubbles.”
“Sounds perfect.”
Fifteen minutes later we’re waiting at the hostess stand at a place called La La Lina’s. The hostess greets us with a dazzling smile. “It’ll just be a moment. We’re clearing off a table for you,” she says.
“No problem,” Becca says cheerily. “Oh, I forgot to tell you. I mixed a new ice cream flavor for your cousin to help with her cravings.”
Something warm pools at the center of my chest. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“I wanted to. She’s growing a beautiful baby in her body, and that’s no easy task. She should have her every whim catered to and every craving satisfied.”
“You are officially Millie’s favorite person ever.”
Becca laughs before pulling out her phone. “You said she was craving pretzels and spicy food, so I mixed dark chocolate ice cream with pretzels, a peanut butter caramel swirl, and flecks of cayenne pepper. I know that sounds weird, but I swear, it’s delicious. Tori and I spent the past few days taste testing, and we’re certain of it.”
She shows me her phone screen. When I make out the image, I’m speechless.
“Millie’s Mix,” I say, reading the label of an ice cream pint.
Becca nods excitedly. “Cute, right?”
“So damn cute. Millie is going to love it. She’ll probably cry tears of joy.”
Becca claps softly in excitement. “Yay! Tears of joy are the reaction I strive for with every gift and surprise I ever plan.”
The hostess returns and says a small table in the back is ready. We follow her through the winding path of the restaurant, which is laid out in a giant circle. I reach over and touch her arm as we walk. “That was so thoughtful of you, Becca. Truly. You’re amazing for doing that.”
Her skin ignites in a pink blush as she smiles shyly at me. “I’m just trying to do a little something for her.”
“This is more than a little something. It’s amazing, and I have no doubt she’s going to love it.”
Becca’s grin goes wide. The hostess shows us to our tiny table, and we sit down. I start to lower myself into the chair when someone bumps into my back.
“Crap, sorry,” a tall guy with blond hair says.
I wave a hand. “It’s okay. This place is kinda crowded.”
He yanks at the suit of his jacket and offers a polite nod to me. And then he looks past me, and his eyes go wide.
“Ben?” I hear Becca say. I whip my head to her and see a bewildered look on her face, like she’s disgusted and shocked at the same time.
It takes a second for me to register Ben’s name in my memory. When I finally do, a boulder-sized knot lands in my stomach.
This fucking prick. This thieving, cheating motherfu—
“Becca.” He sounds like he’s been punched in the gut when he says her name.
For a split second, I wish I could have punched my fist into his stomach. This is the guy who broke Becca’s heart, who made her doubt how amazing she is, who stole her money. I squeeze and loosen my fist at my side over and over.
