nodded and left.
I focused on Benji, wondering what to do about him. I knew he wasn’t telling me the whole truth, but what could I do about it? His insistence that I join him for lunch was weird enough, but this was getting crazy.
While Benji cut into his stack of pancakes, I studied him.
He blinked, his fork going still for a moment. “What?”
I shook my head. “Just thinking.”
He stabbed the fork through the fluffy pancakes and drowned the bite in a puddle of syrup. “You’re staring.”
“You’re not telling me everything.” I took another sip of water. “I’m trying to figure out why you’re holding back.” Lowering the glass to the table, I ran my thumb under a drop of condensation racing down the side.
He sighed and set his fork on the plate with the bite uneaten. Pressing his napkin to his lips, he seemed to pause and consider his words for a moment, and then his attention locked on me again. “I always had a thing for you.”
I flinched. Being kind to Benji had sent the wrong signals. It meant more to him than to me.
“I didn’t know,” I said softly, giving my head a tiny shake.
He paused and glared. The angry look in his eyes told me he didn’t believe me, and I sat back in my seat. “Really, I didn’t know. You never told me, so how could you expect me to?”
“Come on.” He brought his fist down on the table so hard the plate in front of him rattled. “It was obvious.” I jolted in my seat and gaped at him in shock. “I’m sorry. It’s just crazy that you didn’t know. Impossible, even.”
“Are you saying I’m lying?” Offended, I pushed myself into the booth back and took another drink of my water. For some reason, my mouth felt like I’d been chewing insulation, all dry and itchy.
He shook his head. “No, no, I’m just surprised is all.”
I watched him settle back into his seat and pick up his forgotten bite of pancake.
“I’m just as shocked.” I offered a smile that I hoped didn’t wobble too much. This new development seemed like a lot to take in all at once. “Is that why you want me to work with you?”
He swallowed and pointed his fork at me. “I am worried about your safety.”
But…
“But it would be nice to work with you too.” He took a sip of his coffee. “Now that you’re back in town and single, I thought we could see if there’s still something between us.”
Still? Try never. “Like I said, Benji, I just don’t see us ever being more than friends.”
He reached out and touched my hand. “I know you just got out of a bad relationship, but when you’re ready, we can give us a go.”
Was he even listening? I let out a snort. “Actually, I don’t think we can, because I’m seeing someone.”
His attention snapped to me as if I slapped him. “What?”
“I’m not single. While this has been fun catching up and all, I think I should go.”
“Who?” He stood up as I did.
I lowered my head. “We’re not public yet,” I said, thinking on my feet.
Benji’s hand lashed out, and his fingers locked painfully around my wrist. “Who are you seeing?” His voice rose with each word.
My face burned with the heat of embarrassment. I refused to look around and see who witnessed this humiliating moment in my life.
“That’s none of your business, Benji,” I said.
His eyes widened like I had no right to keep things from him, and my heart shuddered.
Chapter Nine
Noah
She lied to me.
“Yo, you need to step in.” Quinn nudged me under the table before looking over his shoulder at Benji and Kandra.
With a forkful of pancakes en route to my mouth, I sat frozen, struggling to process what she said loud enough for the whole diner to hear. It was just my brothers and me, an older couple, Dottie, and the cook, Oswald. Not like it was a production for the whole town, but it was still very public, and Kandra didn’t like public scenes—she never had. So, this was likely driving her mad.
I could understand why Quinn thought I should step in, but I didn’t.
Her words sang inside my head, ringing so loudly I couldn’t hear my thoughts. I’m seeing someone. We’re not public yet.
But she told me …
She lied.
Pulling a deep breath through my nose, I winced as Quinn kicked me. “Are you going to do something?” He jerked his head toward where Kandra