Why don't you Stay ... Forever - Jennifer Ashley Page 0,21
to know. I figured you were into Ben, and he’s into you, but I had no idea it was …” She leans closer to hiss, “Consummated.”
She does get cream on her shirt that time. Ida absently picks up a napkin and wipes it away.
“Yes, but …” I delicately sip the unsweetened iced tea I ordered with my salad. “It was wonderful, don’t get me wrong. But I don’t know if it’s going any further.”
“Why not?” Ida’s eyes narrow. “Wait, you mean, because of Reuben? Please, please, please tell me you aren’t thinking of getting back with that turd.”
She says it loudly. The guys at the next table glance over with interest.
“Of course not.” I keep my voice steady, because I want the listening guys to know my answer. “I don’t know what I saw in him in the first place.”
“A charming, hot guy who was all over you,” Ida says with confidence. “Reuben can lay it on thick. I was half in love with him myself. Then I got to know him. I can tell Ben is so much better, and I only said howdy to him while you two were noshing burgers.”
Ben is so much better. I realized that when I first laid eyes on him. He’s also great in bed, funny, kind, and chivalrous, something not talked about a lot these days.
“I like him.” I try to shrug as though it’s no big deal. “But it was a weekend. Who knows if it will be anything more?”
My heart burns as I say the words. It’s far too late for me to be casual now. If Ben walks away from this, I will hurt far, far worse than I did when Reuben left. Realms beyond that.
Ida knows. I see it in her eyes. She has a long, thin face, which she softens by letting her dark hair hang past it in soft waves. She thoughtfully sips her latte and swipes cream from her lip with her tongue.
“Tell you what you do,” she says. “First, get back with Reuben.”
I choke, nearly spewing my tea. “What? Why the hell would I do that?” I don’t even want to speak to him again. “Who are you and what have you done with my friend?”
“Hear me out. You get back with Reuben, cheat on him with Ben, then kick Reuben to the curb. What’s good for the gander …”
Ida’s voice carries, and the guys at the next table are grinning now, not bothering to mind their own business.
“No.” I look over at them. “No,” I repeat. “Not gonna happen.”
“She’s too nice,” Ida tells the guys. “But Reuben’s such an asshole.”
The work buddies are laughing at us. They get up, tell us to take it easy, and walk out, heading back to the office.
Like I should be doing.
“I have to work with Ben,” I say. “It’s very distracting. Office romances never succeed, right?”
“Then quit your job,” Ida suggests.
“Sure, cause I don’t need that income.” I roll my eyes.
“Then jump his bones.”
Ida has a solution to everything, but it’s not her love life we’re talking about.
We finish up and leave the restaurant. Outside, Ida gives me a crushing hug.
“Don’t worry about it,” she says. “I’m teasing the hell out of you, because it’s so nice to see you happy. If you need any help, you let me know.”
“Just keep me from going insane.”
“Stay away from Reuben, and you’ll be fine.”
I let out a sigh. “I hope I won’t have to dance with him. I’d have to leave the troupe.”
Ida squeezes my arms. “Clarice will never pair you with him. She won’t put together dancers who hate each other—she doesn’t need the drama. Besides, you and Dean are perfect together for now. Fluid.” She releases me and moves her arms in a graceful wave. “I’m so jealous.”
“I’ll ask Clarice to make you my understudy,” I offer.
“No way. I like dancing in the back. If I screw up, no one sees. You have nowhere to hide as a principal.”
“Thank you so much.”
Ida hugs me again. “You have nothing to worry about. See you at rehearsal.” She kisses my cheek and runs off to her car, carefree.
I return to my own car and sit thoughtfully after I start it up. I briefly consider running away, but I pull out of the parking lot and drive resolutely back toward McLaughlin Renovations.
Who am I fooling? I’ll always go back.
Ben will be there. I can’t wait to see him again.
Ben
That week, I get to know Erin.
We have lunch together each day