Why don't you Stay ... Forever - Jennifer Ashley Page 0,26
arm around me. “Chin up,” he says in my ear. “Mom’s scary, but she’s got a good heart.”
“Thanks,” I mutter. “Wait a minute. Why don’t you seem surprised? Ben, did you tell him …”
“Nope.” Austin cuts in quickly to save his brother. “I guessed. Plus, Ben asked me for a good place to take you out. I said this club. Am I right?” He waves his arm at the room like a proud parent.
“This was your idea?” I’m not sure whether to be angry or laugh. “Well, it was … actually, this was wonderful. Thanks, Ben.”
Ben, who’s been watching Austin warily, blows out a breath. “I felt stupid asking a dancer to go dancing.”
“No, it’s perfect. I love to dance. It’s nice to do it for fun, no pressure.”
Until now, with his family bearing down on us. Austin and Ben remain on either side of me, a buffer against the rest of them. Abby tells me they have a big table on the first tier, and invites us to join them. Zach, recovering his shock, rushes off to get us fresh drinks.
I’m not sure how it happens, but I find myself seated next to Virginia. She’s watching me with eyes the same color as Ben’s, though Ben overall looks more like his father.
I decide to confront her head on. “If you want me to quit, I will.” I lift the glass of wine Zach has just set down in front of me. “But I’m not sorry I’m going out with Ben. I really like him.”
“Why should you quit?” Virginia asks. Her drink is a blood red wine, same as mine. “I need your help.”
I’m relieved she hasn’t instantly demanded I stay away from Ben, but I’m a little confused. “If it’s awkward,” I try.
Ben is next to me, his arm around me, but he’s fending off questions from Zach on his other side.
“It doesn’t need to be awkward.” Virginia has a piercing gaze. “But I wish I’d known. You don’t have to sneak around, you know. I really like Ben too.”
Alan leans around her, his expression kind. “She’s only mad because you didn’t tell her right away. Ginny hates being surprised.”
“I don’t hate to be surprised …” Virginia begins.
“I threw her a surprise party for her fiftieth birthday, and I thought she’d blow a gasket.” Alan lifts his hands. “Never again.”
“I wasn’t mad. It was a wonderful party.” Virginia sips wine, as though realizing she’s losing control of the conversation. “I was just … surprised.”
“You should have heard her language. I don’t think our friends ever laughed so hard.”
“Are you talking about Mom’s surprise party?” Ryan leans over. “Yeah, that was something.”
“Will you stop going on about the party?” Virginia demands. “This concerns Erin and Ben.”
Alan pats her hand. “I think they have things figured out. Abby and Zach work fine in the same office. Erin and Ben will too. They have so far.”
“I’m not angry at—”
Alan doesn’t let her finish. “Come on, let’s dance. I need to shake it. The music is calling.”
Virginia shoots me an appealing look, as though begging me to save her, but I decide to sit back and smile. Alan tugs her up. Virginia releases her wine glass at the last moment and lets her husband tow her to the dance floor.
Austin slides to take Virginia’s seat, watching his parents. “Do I want to see this?”
“Of course you do,” Abby says across the table. “It’s sweet.”
“Bleh.” Austin shudders.
Ben takes my hand. “You okay?”
“I think so.” I let out a breath. “Your mom is scary. Especially since I work for her.”
“We all work for her,” Ben reminds me. “Don’t worry. She likes you.”
I’m starting to feel better. Virginia didn’t glare me down and fire me on the spot, and the others seem to be okay with me sticking my tongue down Ben’s throat. Zach has lost his dumbfounded expression and is smiling at us now.
“Wow.” Austin continues to watch Virginia and Alan, who are on the dance floor, Alan holding one of Virginia’s hands. They spin and sway, perfectly at home with the music. “Hey, who knew Dad could boogie?”
“I did,” Ben says. “Mom and Dad dance all the time. They did competitions when they were in college.”
“Seriously?” Austin leans back with his drink. “How do you know this and I don’t?”
“I pay attention when they talk.” Ben relaxes, his arm resting on the back of my chair.
I like the feeling so much, I snuggle into him. Austin’s eyes glint, but what the hell? They know.