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“I thought you were going to be at the office today.”
“I came back to get something I forgot for a meeting.” Ben looked from me to Luke and back again. “What’s going on here?”
He’s looking for a fight, I can tell. And from the tension in Luke’s shoulders, he’s ready to let loose after confronting Dad. I touch Luke’s arm.
“You go on home, Luke. I’ll be okay.”
“Do you mind if I pick up Amy from kindergarten?” Luke gives me a pleading look. “I’d like to see her, especially after what happened…”
“Sure, that’s fine.” I manage a small smile. “You’ve got the details of the pickup, haven’t you? I’ll let the school know.”
“I’ve got them. I’ll take her out for ice cream.”
“She’d love that. Just don’t spoil her too much.”
Luke grunts.
“I think it’s more for me than for her. Thanks, Elle.” He leans in and kisses my cheek. “I’ll see you later.”
Part of me wants to drag him back for another kiss, but Ben is watching me with an angry glare that makes me uncomfortable. I watch as Luke goes to his car and gets in. As he’s pulling down the drive, Ben approaches me.
“What was that about?” he demands. “What happened? Is it about your dad?”
“I’ll explain later. I’ve still got to process it.”
Ben doesn’t look happy.
“You should have let me go with you. I said I wanted to be there.”
“Ben…”
“You’ve been pushing me away lately, and it’s driving me mad, Elle. I want to be by your side while we’re dealing with your father, but you say you don’t want me. Instead, you bother him.”
I frown.
“What are you saying?”
“You’re pushing me aside for Luke Ward. Because he’s Amy’s dad? Because he’s handsome and rich?”
“Luke happened to be there by chance. Carly and I didn’t not ask him to come along.”
“I’m sure that’s what happened,” Ben sneers.
I stare at him, but my friend only glares back at me. He’s been giving me random harsh comments ever since Luke came back into my life, but I can mostly ignore it. Now I feel like I can’t ignore it anymore.
Especially when I think there is a double-meaning behind his words about pushing him to one side for Luke.
“Ben…” I really don’t want to do this. I rub my hands over my face. “Seriously, this isn’t about choosing one person over another. I don’t know why you’re getting possessive over me when there’s never been anything there between us.”
“How do you know?” Ben snaps back. “You’ve never even attempted to try. There could be something there if you allowed yourself to open up again.”
“Ben…”
“I’ve been there for you the whole time, Elle. Ever since we met in our freshman year, I’ve been there, hoping that you would see me as I want you to. Eight years waiting for you to realize that we can be a great couple. That you can love me as I love you.” Ben’s face is tightened in anger. “But then you had to get pregnant by someone else. And years later the guy turns up, and you’re already back in his arms? Are you kidding me?”
I don’t know what to say to any of that. I did suspect that Ben has feelings for me, but hearing it out loud felt like a slap in the face.
“Nothing can happen between us, Ben,” I whisper. “I’ve always seen you like a brother.”
