Page 123 of Storm in a Teacup

“Do you have plans I should know about, Bennett?”

He shrugs noncommittally. “I don’t know, Melinda. Have you plansIshould know about?”

I throw a similar shrug back at him, then bump against him. “So, what was your news?”

“Ah, well, lots of engagements.”

“Rachel and Isla?”

“Och, no. They’re so annoying. They’re waiting until they’re better set up in their individual lives. Healthy, sure, but frustrating. I want to be best man at a sapphic wedding. Or would I be the man of honor? Butler of honor?”

I shake my head with a snort. “It’s definitely not ‘butler of honor,’ Benny. But I know your day will come. So, is it Callum and David?”

“Aye.”

“That’s exciting. You told me they both came to you separately about proposing, but with no specific plan. Who asked who?”

“They asked each other.” Ben beams manically. “They went down to the Lake District this past weekend and apparently, both pulled out a ring while they were on a rowboat together. So, my and Rachel’s hinting at them both that this was the weekend forit worked.”

My hand covers my heart. “That’s so precious. How are you feeling about it?”

“Absolutely thrilled,” he says without pause. “At least I’ll get to be butler of honor at that wedding.” He squeezes me tighter, kissing me on the mouth.

“You taste like coffee,” I say fondly.

“You taste like sugar, sugar.”

“What an egregious lie.”

He shifts next to me, arm still resting comfortably around my shoulders. “I was thinking…what if I got a cat?”

“Oscar Wilde will be wildly offended, but I think ultimately he’d like to have a sibling.”

“He won’t feel insulted by our choice of a four-legged feline?”

“No, if anything, he’ll make this new cat feel inferior.” I mimic Oscar’s voice, “‘What do you mean you needfourlegs? I’m doing better than average with three.’”

Ben chuckles. “Yeah, you’re probably right.” He angles his head toward me. “Hey, Lin?”

“Yeah?”

“I love you.”

“I love you too. Wholly.” I kiss him.

Into my mouth, he mimics, “Wholly.”