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“A week. At least. I have to see the doctor before I go back, to make sure I’m ready.”
Ben nods in agreement. “That’s good. Especially with a job like yours, with so much interaction with people, and reading all the time, you don’t want to go back too soon.”
I lean back onto the cushions, shifting slightly, so I’m facing him. “I know. But I feel bad. We don’t have extra staff, so everyone else will have to work longer to cover. Plus, I’m going to miss doing my story times.”
“The kids love them.” He smiles affectionately, adding, “Laila makes me buy every book you’ve read. And then she tells me I don’t do as good of a job reading as Miss Thea.”
“Aw.” I start to laugh, but stop myself. “I can teach you how to do all the voices. Later, I mean. When my head doesn’t hurt.”
“No way. I like listening to your stories, too. And then I wouldn’t have a reason to come to the library every Thursday.”
His gaze burns into mine, a depth of emotion within. My heart does another ungainly somersault, beating fast. I want to ask, but I’m afraid to. What if I’m reading this wrong?
Silence falls between us for several seconds as we stare at each other.
“Ben.”
“Thea.”
I stifle a nervous laugh, knowing it’ll hurt. Instead, I give Ben a tentative smile. “What?”
He smiles back at me. “What were you going to say?”
Just ask. I’m an adult, not a child. I can handle some disappointment if I’m wrong. “I guess… I’m wondering… What’s going on here?”
“What do you mean?”
Taking a deep breath, I force myself to explain. “I’m glad you’re here. But this—” I wave my hand toward the tray and the flowers nestled in a small vase and Ben sitting beside me. “I got the feeling you only wanted to be friends. And this… I don’t know… it doesn’t feel like…” I trail off, my cheeks going hot.
Ben looks at me for a moment, his eyes like the forest at night. Then he takes my hand, his thumb smoothing over my palm. “You’re right. And you’re wrong. I told myself I only wanted to be friends. I came up with excuses why it was better that way. But Thea, the way I feel about you… it’s more than that. And after the accident—” He swallows hard. “It made me realize what a coward I’ve been.”
“You’re not—”
He shakes his head, stopping me. “I have been. Because I’ve been trying to ignore what my heart has been telling me for months. I’ve been burned in the past, with Laila’s mother, and it made me avoid relationships. Dating. And for years, I didn’t really feel like I was missing out. Then I met you.”
I whisper, “What has your heart been telling you?”
“That once I met you, I felt like I was missing something. But only with you. And then… God, Thea. When I heard you were hurt, I couldn’t breathe. All my excuses disappeared. I could have lost my chance with you. And that’s terrifying.”
My heart thuds hard. Is he saying what I think he’s saying?
“I’m being presumptuous, aren’t I?” Ben lets out a dry chuckle. “I’m making this pronouncement like it’s a given that you’d even want to give us a try.” He sighs. “I’m not very good at this.”
“No.” The word bursts out. His face falls, and he releases my hand.
Crap.
I try again. “Not no. I mean, no, you’re fine at this. But I do.” The heat in my face expands to my ears. “What I mean is, yes, I want to give us a try.”
Ben captures my hand again, squeezing it softly. “So I can take you on a date? Once you’re feeling better?”
All my aches are a distant memory as my chest swells with happiness. “Yes. I would love to go on a date with you.”
Chapter 4
BEN
Just as I’m packing up the last of the gifts I’m bringing to Thea, Laila sidles up to me with a plaintive expression.
