crockpot—bigger than I'd ever need—and dropped a roast into it that would have fed a family of four. Potatoes, onions, and carrots simmered away in a delicious au jus that had my stomach growling.
“A crockpot will be just what you need for those two cuties you work with,” she'd said with a wink. “They're a lifesaver, my girl.”
In a weird moment of realizing I had become my mother, I could finally see that she'd done to me what I did to Benjamin. I loved it.
Dad hooked an arm around me and gently pulled me into his side. The ache in my rib had been slowly subsiding with over-the-counter pain meds, but he still handled me with care. Pain from the bruise had started to fade, but the discoloration was still there.
“Love you, kiddo. Super proud of you and all you're doing. I'm sorry again about what happened with Talmage. We'll make sure it won't happen again. I think . . . I hope . . . he's on a better path now.”
Get rid of Amber, I thought, and he has a chance.
I wrapped my arms around Dad's waist and drew in a deep breath. The smell of spicy aftershave brought floods of childhood memories with it. Safe places. Giggling summer nights. Long winter days playing Monopoly and drinking hot chocolate.
“Thanks, Dad. And thanks for helping me move in and gather some things.”
He tutted under his breath. “Your wandering spirit is sure something. I can't imagine fitting everything that I own in a few bags.”
I grinned. “It's the nomad's life.”
“Will it be this way forever?”
“Unlikely. I just need to find a reason to stay somewhere, I guess, when there are so many things to see in the world.”
He laughed, pressed a kiss to the top of my head, and pulled the keys to their rental car out of his pocket.
“Ready, honey?”
Mom cast one last look around, then reluctantly nodded. With teary eyes, she fluttered over and pulled me close. Her grip on my shoulder was so tight it would have hurt if I didn't crave it so much.
“I love you.”
“I love you too, Mom.”
With a sniffle, she pulled away, squeezed my hand, and followed Dad out the door. I waved from the window as they climbed into their car and slipped away, Mom blowing kisses the whole time.
For several long minutes after they left, I felt their absence like a missing limb. Maybe this room was too empty now. Too big. Too much for me alone. Maybe I should have taken the offer to move back home . . .
Maybe . . .
My phone buzzed against my pocket. I reached back and pulled it out to see a text from Benjamin.
Benjamin: Business as usual this week?
* * *
Serafina: Yes! Sounds good to me. I'll pick her up from the bus stop tomorrow.
* * *
Benjamin: Thank you.
My heart gave a little thump. I didn't want this exchange to end on a business-like, cordial thank you. Didn't want this end at all, in fact. Despite the rustle of movement, life, and the smell of coffee from below, I felt too alone and too afraid. Talmage had agreed to give me time and space, but nothing felt stable anymore. My frazzled state of mind wasn't entirely Talmage's fault, either.
Benjamin owned this one. With his serious expression that I wanted to crack into a smile. The solidness of his very personality, like an immovable rock.
I wanted to text him back and say, can I bring you Sunday dinner? and then stay and eat with them and really see what Benjamin was like behind-the-curtains. All the time we'd ever spent together had been around other people. Except for the night in the hotel room, when I'd fallen asleep minutes after he'd arrived, I'd never really gotten to speak with him.
But should I?
My resolve to keep it platonic for Ava's sake rang back through my head with dying power. Before I could fall into a worsening abyss of overanalysis and the guilt that might follow, my phone jangled in my hands.
Like a sign from the god of don't-do-this-you-might-regret-it and the other god of do-it-or-you'll-never-forgive-yourself.
Benjamin: Your parents must be heroes. Ava hasn't stopped talking about them since we saw you yesterday.
Serafina: They are. I adore them.
Benjamin: They seemed very nice.
Unable to resist the temptation, I typed my next message with my teeth sinking into my lip.
Serafina: Even Talmage? What did you think?
Several minutes passed before his reply followed.
Benjamin: Let's say that I hope Talmage and I never have