“What’d you want to talk to me about?” I ask, pulling my hair over my shoulder into a ponytail.
“I wanted to ask your permission to, uh. . .” He hesitates as I lean in, tilting my head to the side, trying to figure out what he’s getting at. “Well, I’ve gone out a few times now with Taylor.”
“Taylor? My friend, the dancer, Taylor? That one?”
I’m stunned. While I was a complete zombie the day they helped me move, I vaguely remember them chatting and laughing together. Maybe even flirting. Memories of that day are hazey, but I can totally see them together.
Ben has always been a bit quiet and not a guy who would come on to a girl or be cocksure of himself with hubris. Not like Miles.
Ben nods, a smile now growing on his cute freckled face that makes him look like a comic strip kid. “Yeah. We kind of hit it off, and I really like her. But because you two are friends, I didn’t want to make things uncomfortable for you.”
I shake my head, affectionately grabbing for his hand and threading my fingers through his. “Ben, I think your thoughtfulness is sweetly adorable and speaks volumes of your character. But you do not have to worry about me or what I think. It’s your life, and you should date, hook up with, hang out with, or fall in love with whoever makes you happy. This life we live is too short not to love and be loved by someone you care about.”
That thought feels like I’ve just split wood with an ax, my chest being the wood.
Ben nudges me in the shoulder and throws his arm around me, squeezing in a brotherly gesture.
“Taylor wanted to tell you, but I asked her to let me do it. She didn’t want you to be upset when you found out. Thanks for being okay with it.”
I wave a hand in the air. “Please. I just want you both happy.”
Our name is called, and we follow the waitress into the crowded diner, sliding into a table that’s so cozy I’m bumping arms with the person next to me.
After ordering, we catch up on everything else when Ben brings up pet sitting at the Morgan’s.
“Hey, Graham has been raving about you and the job you did while they were on vacation. I think you could get a ton of referrals if you want them. It might be a great side-gig for you. In fact, that reminds me, a few weeks ago or more, Miles came into my office to ask about you. I figured it was about the work you were doing, but then you guys had that altercation at the volunteer event, and honestly, I should’ve followed up. What the hell was it about?”
The mention of Miles’s name causes my internal frequencies to jolt like a live wire, as if I’m being zapped at a million different puncture points. Hard, fast and stinging pain everywhere all at once.
I decide to come clean with Ben, having nothing more to lose.
“I guess I should tell you something too. You see, Miles and I knew each other from Mystic. His little sister was my childhood best friend. We ended up having a pretty big misunderstanding, but it got resolved, and then we actually started seeing each other.”
Ben’s head rears back as if dodging a ball that’s flying at his face.
“No way! Wow, that’s. . . you and Miles?” He gives me a skeptical look like I’m crazy. “I have to admit, you’re definitely not a couple I’d imagine together.”
I shrug a shoulder. “Well, you don’t have to anymore because we’re over. Things took a turn, and we fizzled out. Actually, burned is more like it. I realized there are things that have to change, and unless that happens, we’re taking a break.”
Really what I mean is that he has to decide to change.
But he hasn’t. And he’s walked away, not even willing to try.
Ben looks at me with pensive ale brown eyes. “Hmm. I’m sorry to hear that. I suppose you heard about his grandmother, then, right?”
I drop the fork that was in my hand and stare wide-eyed at Ben.
“No, what happened?”
He swallows and chews on his lip before answering. “Miles. . . he, uh, he’s been out of the office rather unexpectedly. I guess his grandmother suffered a major stroke and is in intensive care. That’s all I’ve heard. I’m sorry you didn’t know.”
The rancho huevos that I ordered and took a few bites of now sit like a rock in my stomach, threatening to return from where it came.
There are many unflattering things I’ve called Miles over the past weeks, but never would I say he was an unloving grandson. That woman is his world and the only remaining family he has left on this Earth.
If something happened to Iris and she passed on, I don’t know how Miles would be able to deal with that. I fear that he would fracture under the burden of any more loss.
“Ben, I’ve got to go.”
