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Why couldn’t it be both?
My phone buzzed with a video call. I hadn’t even washed my face or put on a bra, but my fingers hit accept without hesitation.
“It’s a tough call, isn’t it?”
“What is?” I asked, making sure my image in the corner was okay.
“Deciding between video games or baseball.” Ben’s voice was full of amusement. “Why? What were you thinking about?”
“I was thinking about brushing my teeth.” Having just gotten out of bed, I wasn’t firing on all cylinders yet.
“Is that Hunter?” Cammie’s voice came over the speaker.
Her blonde head popped into the picture. “Miss Brooke, are you with Hunter?”
I moved to my bedroom, showing her my bedroom, the rumpled blankets, and the dresses. “Nope. Not unless he’s hiding from me.”
Cammie giggled and said, “Boo. I want to see Hunter.”
“Cammie, don’t be rude,” Ben chided.
Cammie’s lower lip came out in an adorable pout.
“I want to see you, too, sweet girl. Want to get together later today?” It was easier to say yes to her than to her father. Not that it was easy to say no to him, but I knew it was the right thing to do. Spending more time with Ben wouldn’t lead to anything but heartbreak.
Cammie’s face lit up. “You’ll bring Hunter?”
“Of course.” I smiled at Ben, who was shaking his head behind her.
“Now, go finish your breakfast,” Ben said, putting her on her feet.
Cammie ran out of the range of the camera.
Ben’s eyes met mine. His were filled with affection. “She’s incorrigible.”
I smiled so wide my cheeks hurt. “She’s cute.”
“So, I’ll see you later?” His expression was so earnest, so sweet, that my heart flip-flopped under my rib cage.
“Looks like it.” Even though I knew it was all sorts of wrong to get involved with him, it felt good to flirt.
Ben tilted his head slightly, the way I loved when we were in class together. “Did we decide what we’re doing?”
My cheeks heated at the reminder that I’d admired him from afar since we were kids. “I don’t think so.”
“Why don’t you come over? We can play in the backyard or play video games. Whatever the kids want.”
“Sounds good.” It sounded perfect. I wondered if he’d bought a place when he moved back or if he was renting.
We said goodbye and hung up. After allowing myself a moment to savor that sweet interaction with Ben and Cammie, I hurried to get ready for work.
Unfortunately, it was a slower than usual Saturday. We’d started with our first trivia night that week, and I hoped it made a difference. I wasn’t sure if the dip in business would continue once the newness of Bean Rush wore off or if it would be permanent. The thought put a pit in the bottom of my stomach.
On my way to Abby’s, I wondered what I was doing, mixing business with pleasure. It couldn’t be a good idea to spend more time with Ben. Not when he was the reason my business was slow.
I walked into Abby’s townhouse without knocking and ruffled Hunter’s hair when I passed him reading on the couch. He’d recently gotten into graphic novels, and Abby couldn’t get new ones from the library fast enough.
I found Abby in the bathroom, swiping a mascara wand over her eyelashes.
