I check the date stamp and see that the message came in the day my song released.
Well, that tracks.
I delete his entire thread without responding, because I don’t need that kind of negativity right now.
When Benny knocks at the door, I give my sisters a look.
“Fine, we’ll stay here,” Olive says, grinning.
Which means nothing, because they’re visible from the front door.
“Hey,” I say, swinging the door open.
Benny stands there with two plates of pulled pork sandwiches, coleslaw, and corn on the cob. “Is seven okay for tomorrow night?”
“I have literally nothing else going on.”
He smiles while I take the plates, then his eyes fall to my sisters behind us. “Are you hoping to film the video tomorrow too?”
“Only if Colby is still up for it. My ex—Lonnie?”
“Yeah, I remember.”
I fill Benny in on Lonnie’sGood Morning Americaappearanceand the reason we want to release the song and video that same morning.
“If we can shoot and record everything tomorrow and get it all edited quickly, we might actually have a shot at having things uploaded in time to release simultaneously with Lonnie’s appearance.”
“Then we can take him down,” Olive calls. She waves. “Hey, Benny.”
“Good to see you both.”
“We’ll be seeing more of you, I hope,” she says, approaching us.
“Sure.” He chuckles, handing off the plates, which she takes back to the kitchen. Once she’s gone, Benny’s expression shifts. His eyes rake over my face. “You okay?”
“Yes. I think so? I’m nervous, but we have a plan.”
“We do.” His hand slides down my forearm, his fingers curving over mine. “I’ll talk to Colby and call you in the morning. We’ll come up with a filming schedule and make sure it works for you.”
“I’ve seen his photos, so I know he has a good eye. I trust his judgment.”
Benny nods. “Good night, Bree.”
I tug on his hand softly. He glances over my shoulder before taking a step closer, his smile widening.
“Good night.” I want to pull him in and kiss him, but we’d have an audience.
He doesn’t move.
Neither do I.
“Want us to leave?” Zoey calls.
“Okay, that’s my cue.” Benny’s smile could melt butter into a puddle. He leans close and presses a kiss to my cheek, then slips outside. I close the door behind him, wondering how I’m going to leave him behind at the end of all this.
23
BENNY
