AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Well. Maybe I’d wait until this whole someone-out-to-kill-me thing is over, first. Then I’d marry him.
Although, I could be presuming a lot. Ben says he loves me, but there’s been no mention of living together after the threat is over, let alone an engagement or marriage. I think we’re on the same page, but I’m not sure. And with everything else going on, I’m not going to ask.
This is what I need Ari for. A wine and charcuterie night, giggling over trashy reality TV, and getting advice from my best friend.
But she’s nearly at her due date, which not only eliminates the wine part of it, but I’m not willing to bring the stress of my life into hers. She already went through her own traumatic experiences—first, drugged and abducted by a guy she met online, and then Cash’s crazy brother tried to kill both of them—so I’m not showing up at her house with my own crap and a bodyguard in tow.
Texting and calling will have to do, for now.
Speaking of texting, my phone buzzes as another of her messages comes in. Since it’s so close to her due date, Cash is being adorably protective and won’t let her do anything, which Ari loves, but it’s also driving her a little crazy.
I can’t help laughing as I read her most recent message.
I just caught Cash hiding the vacuum! Just because I wanted to use it yesterday to clean the living room. He said I could hurt myself. Vacuuming? I’m pregnant, not an invalid. ??
Cash is definitely protective of Ari, but after everything they went through, I can’t blame him. He’s like Ben; with the people they love, they’re protectors to the core.
And I love it. I’ll never complain about Ben taking care of me.
Just thinking about him makes me happier. I grin at the phone while I type back to Ari.
Aww. It’s sweet. Anyway, do you really WANT to vacuum? And don’t you have a housekeeper?
Three dots blink for a second.
She comes once a week, and that’s enough. Cash and I don’t want to get all fancy and not do our own cleaning. But you’re right. I don’t even like vacuuming. It was the principle of it. ??
Before I can respond, she continues.
Anyway. Who cares about cleaning? I want to know about you. How are you feeling? Is everything okay at B and A? Did you meet Maya, Georgia, and Elle? They’re so sweet. And what about Ben? Tell me everything!
I laugh at her flurry of questions and Laila looks away from her book in interest. “What’s so funny, Thea? Are you reading a silly book?”
“No, not a silly book. It’s just my friend, Ari.”
“Oh. Well.” She rummages through the pile of books surrounding her and plucks one out, leaning across the couch to hand it to me. “Read this one. It’s really funny.”
Laila and I are enjoying some quiet girl time—her at one end of the couch, me at the other, Daisy on the cushion between us—while Ben is working in the Blade and Arrow conference room with Cole and Leo. He headed there first thing after breakfast this morning, saying cryptically, “Sorry to rush off, but I thought of something in the middle of the night, and I want to research it right away. Are you going to be okay with Laila for a few hours?”
Of course I was okay. Not that I mind spending time with Laila, but if Ben and the B and A team can find the person who tried to kill me, I’m okay with just about anything.
And I know he’s been frustrated by the lack of evidence in both cases—the car accident and the fire—and is using some more creative ways to investigate. Ways that are in the gray area of legality, as Ben explained. “It’s not exactly legal,” he told me while we lay in bed last night. “It’s kind of like… I’m breaking into a house, but I’m not stealing anything.”
“Well,” he amended. “I borrow information. Data that might lead to clues. But I don’t steal anything. It’s just a quick in and out.”
My only concern was Ben getting in trouble, but he assured me he wouldn’t. “Leo and I are too good,” he said with a confident smile. And he looked so sexy, propped up on a muscular arm, his bare chest taunting me... So I tried to make a move on him, but he told me it was too soon and just kissed me instead.
Which is frustrating. My head is feeling much better and other than a slight headache sometimes, my symptoms are gone. So there’s no reason why Ben and I can’t have sex. At least that’s what I think. The trick is convincing him.
Laila’s back to reading her book, so I tap out a reply to Ari.
Maya, Georgia, and Elle are all so sweet. They brought presents and Georgia made me a blanket. And everyone here has been really nice. It’s not the same as being home, but with Ben here…
Ari’s response is immediate.
Yes?? What about Ben? Spill!
I have to think for a minute before responding. A silly part of me is scared that if I actually say my true feelings, I’ll somehow jinx things and what I really want won’t come true.
