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Ben’s face lit up as he interlaced his fingers with mine. “We’re going for a drive.”
“What is it?” I asked playfully, trying to dispel my unease.
He smiled down at me as we walked outside. “It’s a surprise.”
“I’m not big on surprises,” I said lightly. I thought I might have liked them before Levi.
“You’ll like this one. At least, I hope you will.” Ben’s expression was so open, and I squeezed his hand to reassure him.
He opened his passenger side door for me, and I slid inside, watching with affection as he rounded the hood. He wanted to share this with me, and my heart contracted in response.
“I missed you.” I wasn’t normally so willing to be open with him, but I felt like he deserved to know.
“Me, too. I hoped things would slow down, but you know how it is with a new business.”
My heart sank because I did know, and I was essentially starting over with the wine market. My time would be limited, just like his. How would we work?
Sneaking in a few hours here and there with stolen moments and texts. I wanted more. I never admitted it to anyone, but I liked being married. Not necessarily to Levi, but the idea of it. The safety and security. The notion that I didn’t need to look for anything. I was coming home to my other half. My present and my future.
I kind of hoped that my future included Ben, but I wasn’t sure our lives were compatible. Two business owners would always be busy. We’d never be able to let it go and go on vacation together. Sure, we had trusted managers, but it was a lot to ask of them. The owners were the only ones who took the business as seriously.
“What are you thinking about over there?”
Should I explain my worries to him? I gestured between us with our joined hands. “We’ve been so busy lately. I’m just wondering how this is going to work.”
“I was thinking the same thing.” His jaw tightened, and then he looked over at me. “We’ll make it work.”
I didn’t have time to contemplate his words because we’d pulled up to a house. “What’s this?”
“A house Juliana found for me.”
We’d discussed neighborhoods and school districts, but Ben had been undecided on what he wanted, a house with acreage or one in a neighborhood. There were trade-offs to both. The most important thing was that any house be close to his parents.
“How far is this from your parents’ house?” I asked, admiring the large colonial with mature trees in the front and woods behind it.
“Ten minutes.” He let go of my hand, eagerly getting out of the car.
I met him at the hood. “You like it.”
His expression was one of barely contained anticipation. “I do. I’d love to know what you think, though.”
Juliana met us at the porch, where a swing hung on one end. “You ready to see it a second time?”
“Absolutely. I have someone important to share it with.”
I smiled, my face heating at Ben’s insinuation that I was that person.
Juliana smiled at both of us. “Let’s head inside, then.”
I admired the porch’s wood railings, knowing there was potential to hang garland and lights at Christmas time. Why I was even thinking about holiday decorations, I had no idea. It was Ben’s house, not mine. The one he’d share with his daughter.
“It has so much potential,” I said as we walked inside.
Ben nodded. “I can’t wait for you to see the backyard.”
The first floor had a living room, family room, a study, and an open kitchen with a bump-out for a large dining room table.
“You won’t miss a dining room with this space,” Juliana observed.
