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“Ben?”
“You don’t have to be so worried. I did it, the book. I only read parts of it, but I knew it was something good, and I found someone to send it to. You’re not mad, are you?”
I stared at him for the longest time, but I didn’t feel angry. Even though he’d done something I reprimanded him for once. Seeing him standing there, stiff, waiting to be taken to task, I knew he’d done it with the best of intentions, and I couldn’t bring myself to yell at him for it.
“I do wish you’d let me know about it,” I said slowly. “But I guess I’m not angry.”
He blinked, then relaxed. “Really?”
I nodded. “I mean, I would want to know who they are, first thing. When were you planning on telling me about it, anyway?”
He gave a sheepish smile. “Honestly, I was going to wait until I heard back from them. I sent it with my email and said I was your agent, so they’ll be talking to me before they talk to you.”
I bit my lip. “Don’t tell me if they end up telling you it’s horrible, okay?”
“No way that’s going to happen, though,” he said, full of confidence. “How could they not love your book? I’m not much of a reader myself, but I loved the bit I got to read of it. I’m sure they’re going to love it, too.”
I wasn’t so sure about that. I hadn't let anyone else read it, and I’d read and tweaked it myself so many times, but I never thought it would be good enough. Ben was the first person besides me to look at it; even Dad only knew there was a draft, I never told him I finished it because I didn’t think it would matter to him. I was happy that he said he was proud of me.
“Why did you send it?” I asked.
Ben was hesitant as he walked closer to me and reached out for my hand. When I didn’t evade him, he pulled me into his arms.
“I sent it because I want to see you follow your dream. I saw the look on your face when you told me about your book, so I know how important it is to you. You don’t have to leave it on your computer, collecting dust, when you could have other people see it, instead. Because that was clearly what you wanted when you wrote that book.”
His words made me feel a little overwhelmed, and I wrapped my arms around him in a hug, so I could hide my face in his shoulder. I pulled away quickly because I wanted him to hear my next words.
“Ben? I love you.”
He was stunned, but it only lasted for a second, and then he grinned.
“I love you more,” he said, leaning down to give me a peck on the cheek.
He took one of my hands, twining our fingers together, and tugged me behind him as we left the venue to go back home.Epilogue
BenI woke up to an empty bed. The space beside me was still warm, though, and I dragged myself out of bed. I took a quick shower then got dressed before I left the bedroom.
“Angela?” I called out.
“I’m in here!” She called back.
I followed her voice to the kitchen and stopped at the entrance to watch her. I smiled to myself, watching the love of my life trying to do everything by herself.
“Here you go, baby,” she cooed.
She had her computer on the table, food cooking on the stove, and the baby in his high chair as she tried to feed him, but little Michael wasn't cooperative. She glanced at her computer, then raised a spoon to Michael’s mouth, who squealed and turned his head away. He looked like he was playing.
“Do you need any help?” I offered.
I walked over and hugged her from behind. She started, then let out a laugh.
“You say that, but you’re the one who’s late to wake up, you know? Dad and Hayley will be here soon, and I don’t have anything ready.”
“You could have woken me. And I offered to order catering, but you said no…”
She swatted my arm, then squirmed until I released her. “It’s only lunch for four adults and a baby; I can manage it by myself. It’s not like I have anything else to do.”
I hummed. “You’ll get busy enough soon.”
“Come and feed Michael. They’ll be arriving in an hour, so have him cleaned up by then, okay? Make sure he eats everything!”
She shot me a stern look, then left me with my job and hurried over to the stove. I sat at the table, next to Michael, and pulled him out of his chair.
“Come here, little guy,” I said gently. “Let’s give your mom a break today, hmm? Eat and don’t make a mess, okay?”
