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Riley rolled her eyes.
“Look, I’d never cheat on you, Riles. Never. You’ve got my heart—you’ve gotta know that, okay? No matter…what happens…” He lifted her hands to his lips and kissed them gently, his eyes closed.
Confusion and concern swirled in Riley’s head. I believe you, Ben—completely—and my heart’s yours, too, but you’re keeping something from me…I can FEEL it. She pulled her hands away and tugged on the straps of his apron in frustration. “So, what am I supposed to forgive?”
His face fell. “It’s…Christ, I don’t know how to tell you…”
Oh God, tell me WHAT, Ben?
He nodded solemnly. “I have to…”
Her stomach tightened.
“Will you come with me?”
“Where? Now? But you’re working—”
“Mo will watch my table.” Ben turned to an older guy working the next stall. “Mate? I’ve gotta go. Something’s come up.”
Mo eyed Riley and flashed a toothy smile. “I bet it has…go on, get out of here!” He waved Ben off and dropped several falafels into a bubbling pot of hot oil. “I’ll look after things. See you tomorrow.”
“Cheers, mate. I owe you one.” Ben removed his apron and stuffed it in his backpack. He tossed it over his shoulder and bundled half of his cookies into a paper bag. “For the journey.” He clasped Riley’s hand.
“Where are we going?”
“Paddington Station—to catch a train. I’ll explain everything when we get there, I promise.”
“At Paddington Station?”
“No, at our destination—Reading.”
“But…wait—how far is that?”
“Uh, thirty, forty miles, maybe? Tube and train—won’t be more than an hour. You’ll have lots of time to catch me up.” He kissed her cheek. “Tell me about where you’re staying, this cool job you scored…I want to know everything, okay?”
So do I, Ben. So do I…
Sixty-Nine
As the express train roared through the countryside, Riley filled every awkward silence with stories about her roommate and her first two days at the BBC. She told him about her mega-accomplished female boss and the welcome flowers waiting on her desk. Ben nodded and smiled and asked thoughtful questions, but his mind kept veering off track as they traveled towards his truth.
My hands are clammy and I’m sweating like mad under this puffer vest. Riley’s been sweet and hasn’t said anything—God, I couldn’t love her more, but will she feel the same when she finds out? I thought I’d have more time…I’m not ready for this, and I don’t know if she is either. She seems happy, chattering away, but she’s talking way too fast and is stress-eating cookies.
“…Ben’s all silent and closed off now.”
Eh? Hearing Riley speak his name, Ben’s attention swerved back to his girlfriend. He shook his head, clearing the cobwebs. “Sorry, who?” Me?
Riley brushed cookie crumbs from her lips. “Big Ben.”
“Oh, right. Yeah, he’s being restored.” Ben looked out the window, the sensation of the train slowing down, teasing the butterflies in his belly. “You won’t hear his bongs or see him without scaffolding, not for four years.”
“That sucks.” She half-laughed, nervously.
“Uh, this stop’s ours…” He let go of her hand and fumbled in his pocket, pulling out their tickets.
Riley stashed the bag of half-eaten cookies in her tote.
“Here…” He handed her two tickets. “The top one you need to exit at street level. Feed it into the barrier and it’ll open. The second one is your return trip.”
