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I stepped back just before Bennett threw the ball again. “Sometimes it’s the same thing.”
Bennett shrugged. “Maybe. But it beats the alternative.”
“A nice liar?”
“I prefer to keep things real.”
Real?I would have loved to know what that word meant to him, because he confused the hell out of me. Which Bennett was real—the one who made sure I made it home safely or the one who refused to have a civil conversation about the resort? Maybe both.
We stood in silence for a few minutes while he continued to play fetch with the dogs. “I’m sorry if you were uncomfortable at dinner.” He didn’t look at me, instead staying focused on Larry and Sadie.
I forced a laugh. “It took me by surprise, but that was so long ago. We were just kids back then.”
“We’re not kids now.”
My breath caught for a moment before I cleared my throat. “No, we’re not.”
We were adults with responsibilities that were at odds with one another. I was grateful to Phil for giving me this job while I was at a crossroads, but I wished I’d come to the Carolina Banks for another reason. Then perhaps the only Bennett I’d know was the kind one who doted on his handsomely ugly dog.
Bennett snapped his fingers for Larry to sit and drop. He threw the ball again, and both dogs took off running. Sadie seemed content to run alongside Larry instead of participating in fetch. That was the exact opposite of my approach to life. Bennett probably wanted a Sadie, not someone like me. I’d already learned my lesson the hard way, but it still smarted when I was faced with more proof of it.
I’d decided my path, and that was that. No one had forced me to focus on a career, so I had no reason to be upset about the unintentional consequences.
“My mom is itching for more grandchildren,” Bennett said, “and since I’m the oldest, I’m first in line for her badgering.”
Considering how closed off he’d been, I was surprised he was confiding in me like this. Perhaps he was simply explaining his mother’s comments, which had obviously embarrassed him.
“Kids could do a lot worse than your parents for grandparents.” I cocked my head. “Do you want kids?”
It wasn’t any of my business, but I suddenly wanted to know. Since he was in a chatty mood, now might be my only chance to ask. I could tell by his interactions with Sophia, and even Larry, that he would be a good father.
“I haven’t thought about it.” His tone was stiff.
“And you claim you’re honest. Liar.”
He chuckled. “I’m not opposed to the idea, but I figure I’ll think about it when I have someone to think about it with.”
I could already picture Bennett’s future wife—a model-pretty woman who somehow maintained her figure while drinking all the Banks Brew Co. ale and who managed to be both sexy and maternal. The total package. In other words, not me. A lump formed in my throat, and I choked it down. I shouldn’t have brought this subject up. I was here on business and needed to remember that, not to engage in wistful thinking and delve into other people’s—namely Bennett’s—personal lives.
Before I could change the subject, Bennett asked, “What about you?”
I took a deep breath and tried to sound nonchalant. “I’ve been so busy with my career that I haven’t had time to consider it seriously.”
He laughed. “Now who’s the liar?”
“I’m serious!” I hated how shrill my voice was. “Do you have any idea what it’s like being a lawyer in New York?”
I mentally answered my own question—overwhelming, exciting, scary, and thrilling.I doubted I’ve ever get another job like it, and I was strangely at peace with that. I’d never wanted to do anything else, but for the first time, I found my current freedom refreshing instead of oppressive. In my life as a New York City lawyer, I never could have accepted a last-minute dinner invitation unless it was work related.
“No, I don’t know what it’s like, and I wouldn’t want to,” Bennett said. “It sounds terrible.”
“It had its moments.” Though the job had ended on a sour note, I could still remember the elation I’d felt signing my employment contract and the fun I’d had learning my way around the city.
“You’re not doing that now, though.” His mouth twisted. “You’re working for Markham.”
He saidMarkhamlike it was a dirty word, and frankly, that pissed me off. He couldn’t leave it alone for even one night. And to think we’d been having a friendly conversation for an entire ten minutes. I supposed it had been too good to last.
“I started after I left my firm a few months ago.” I didn’t mention my months of self-pity and ice-cream eating.
