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“Another wedding?”
“Yeah, they’re good money.” She grimaced. “I just hate working when Hunter’s home. Although this one might be done early, and then I can join you.”
I stayed silent because I wasn’t sure if I wanted Abby to be home early. I wanted to spend time with Ben, and if Hunter wasn’t with me, what would be my excuse?
“What are your plans for tonight?” Abby asked, setting her mascara wand into the bottle.
“Hunter wants to play with Cammie again.” I hoped Abby didn’t see right through that flimsy excuse. Sure, the kids wanted to play together, but so did the adults.
Abby fluffed her hair, then smoothed her dress as she moved this way and that in the mirror. “That little girl is all I hear about. She’s the one on his baseball team?”
“That’s right.”
“What’s her last name?”
I swallowed hard. “Monroe.”
“Monroe. Where do I know that name?” Her eyes widened as she looked at me. “She’s not Ben Monroe’s daughter, is she?”
“She is.”
She crossed her arms across her chest. “You’ve been spending time with Ben and haven’t told me.”
“Nothing’s going on between us.” Except for that one kiss. I licked my suddenly dry lips, hoping she wouldn’t see right through me.
She shot me an incredulous look. “Just that you’re spending Saturday night with him.”
I rolled my eyes at her. “I’d hardly describe it like that. Cammie and Hunter have a playdate.”
She huffed a laugh. “Well, that’s convenient. You’re using the kids to see each other.”
I shook my head. “That’s not what’s happening.”
Abby sighed and was quiet for a few seconds, examining me. “You know, there’s nothing wrong with liking a guy.”
Shame washed over me. “That’s not what’s going on.”
“Isn’t it? You liked Ben even in high school, but neither of you acted on it.”
“We didn’t, and even if we did, we couldn’t.”
Abby rolled her eyes, turning her attention to the mirror again. “You were too busy one-upping each other. The longest form of foreplay ever.”
Was it foreplay? Had we competed against each other as a weird form of flirting? “I don’t think so.”
She swiped her cheeks with blush. “You like him?”
“I don’t have to like every attractive guy I meet.”
Abby rolled her eyes again. “Well, of course not. You’ve written off all men because of Levi.”
“That’s not true.” But my words were weak. I had. It was the easiest form of protection. If I wasn’t with a guy, he couldn’t lie to me, and I wouldn’t look like a fool.
“Ben was always a good guy. Even when you two were sparring with each other. Verbally sparring,” she corrected.
“That’s true.” He was an even better man now. Taking care of his daughter full time, moving to town to make a better life for her. Quitting his stable corporate job for a chance at a better life.
“And he’s a dad now. Where’s the mom?”
