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He put his hand on the back of my shoulder. “I’ve seen you together. I’ve watched and witnessed. Gretchen and I talked about it. We saw the same thing and agreed. You two belong together.”
“I know we do,” I said through gritted teeth. Then I shook my head. “I just don’t know if she does.”
“She does. She’s just floundering right now, treading water. Remember how things were for you?”
He was referring to the aftermath of the explosion that took my leg. “It was the same for me too. You had to find your way, right?” I nodded. “So did I. And now, so does Marisa. You have to let her find her way. Give her time to catch her breath.”
“I don’t know how much time she needs. How do I know the answer when she pushed me away?”
“You don’t. You won’t. You just need to let her know you’re there for her when she’s ready.”
“I did. Before I left.” I shook my head, trying in vain to remember the details of our last conversation. “At least I think I did.”
“Maybe you need to tell her again.”
“You’re right.” I pulled out my phone to text her.
Before I knew what was happening, Ben yanked the device out of my hands and shoved it into his pack. “Not right now, dumbass.”
“You just told me to tell her I’m here for her.”
“First off, you’re drunk. You don’t text the woman you love something like this when you’re spinning out. Second, it’s a pussy move to text her that. You need to tell her with words. In person.”
I grunted my understanding.
“Do you need me to hold your hand? Are you scared?”
I laughed. “No, but you should be if you keep using that tone with me.”
He scoffed. “I’m not worried,” he said with a few pats on my back. “I’m the one with your phone. And the car keys.”
I chuckled as I laid back and closed my eyes.
Tomorrow was a new day. That was the saying, anyway. Maybe a night’s rest would help me find the answers I needed.
* * *
My phone was dead.
Clearly, my conversation with Marisa was going to have to wait even longer.
When we got back to Ben’s rental car, I looked for a charger. “Seriously?” I asked. How did two people both forget to pack a charger?
“Hmm,” Ben wondered aloud. “I thought I had one in here. Guess I didn’t pack it.”
“Dammit. It’s okay.” As frustrated as I was, I couldn’t be mad at Ben any more than I could be at myself. I hadn’t packed one either. In my rush to get out here, I had overlooked that one thing. I’d be home soon enough. Then I could get over to Marisa and try and convince her, once and for all, that we were perfect for one another.
Ben handed me a granola bar and a bottle of water. “Breakfast is served.”
“You remembered breakfast, but not a charger?” I scoffed.
“That’s Gretchen. Thank her. She packed a cooler for our trip out. Otherwise, you’d be hangry as a mother right now.”
I looked at the small cooler in the backseat. “Thanks, Gretch,” I said as I buckled in.
“Woman is the best. Always has my back.” He unwrapped his granola bar and shoved it into his mouth in one bite.
Biting into my own, I sent him a smile that expressed my agreement.
