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I stood next to Ben, not really listening to Juliana explain the process of buying a home. My mind was on how I should break the news to him.
“I’ll draft the contract according to your terms and email it to you for your signature,” Juliana said with a smile.
Ben shook her hand. “I appreciate it.”
My phone buzzed. I checked to make sure it wasn’t the coffee shop, but it was. I held up a finger. “It’s the store. I have to take this.”
Ben nodded. He understood the business came first.
Watching Ben talk to Juliana, I let that newfound love for him stream through my body, warming the dark spots inside until I felt buoyed by hope, love, and desire for him.
“Brooke? It’s Hailey.” Her voice brought me back to the present.
“I’m getting ready to leave the shop, but the security system won’t set.”
“Did you call to see when they can come look at it?”
“Not until Monday.”
“Okay. That’s not too bad.” There was nothing I could do about it.
“You’re not worried?” Hailey asked.
“It sucks, but what can we do? Besides, the store is closed for a few days to complete the renovations.” Sam’s crew would be there during the day. It should be fine.
“I just wanted to make sure you were aware.”
Ben raised a brow, and his expression asked without words,everything okay?
I nodded. “Listen, I have to go. Ben’s waiting for me.”
“Hmm. You’re letting a man come before business?”
I looked down at the ground, my toe rubbing a spot in the dirt. “That’s not how this is.”
“I’m not saying it’s a bad thing. It’s about time you took care of yourself. We have a few more days until things get crazy.”
The opening of the new shop. The one I hadn’t told Ben about. “I have a few things to take care of before then.”
I needed to tell him. Just not tonight. Tonight, we’d celebrate signing an offer for Ben’s new house. Then tomorrow, I’d tell him everything. What he meant to me, the renovation, and that it changed things. It would allow us to be in a relationship without our businesses being in direct competition.
“You do that.”
I clicked off, closing the distance between Ben and me. Juliana had already gotten into her van and was backing out.
“Everything okay?” Ben asked as I approached.
“Hailey was just checking in.”
He placed his arm around me. “You don’t need to get back to the shop this afternoon?”
It felt good. Like I belonged.
“Hailey’s got it.”
He kissed me short and chaste. “You ready to get out of here? Mom and Dad took Cammie to a movie and dinner. They won’t be home until later.”
“Sounds perfect.” I had one more night before I revealed the truth, and I planned on enjoying every moment, showing Ben how much I cared for him.
