“Your precious plate is in one piece, washed, dried, and polished. At your service.” His eyes sparkle, and I’m pulled in. I can’t help it. Benji has a magnetism about him. He has a way of making me hang on to every word, begging for more. Even when he’s being rude to me, it’s still better than being shut out.
I take the plate, inspecting it.
“I trust it was cleaned to your satisfaction, Miss Montgomery?”
I take on a haughty air, turning the dish over as I arch an eyebrow. “It’ll do.”
Benji cracks a smile then, and it feels like a break in a heavy, dark cloud. The sun’s rays peek through, warming my frozen heart.
“Thanks for your help on Sunday,” he says. “I hadn’t weeded those garden beds in a while.”
“I noticed,” I say, dragging my eyes up to his. “You should plant something. The soil is rich, and you get plenty of morning sun. You could have a beautiful garden.”
“I’m more of a machine type of guy. Engines. Metal. Grease. Living things are too fickle.”
“Living things are magic,” I answer. “There’s nothing better than a beautiful garden. I can help you choose some easy-care plants, if you want. I could even help you plant them, if you supply the muscle.” I jerk my chin at his bulging biceps, grinning.
Benji doesn’t answer. I try not to fidget under his gaze. He tilts his head, staring, and I grip my thighs under the desk to stop my knee from bouncing.
I’m not usually like this. My parents have paraded so many men in front of me that I thought I was immune to good looks. I thought I didn’t care about guys, because my mind was so focused on providing for Lucy and reconnecting with Sawyer.
Now, with the heat of Benji’s stare chipping at my walls, making them crumble bit by bit, I’m not so sure. His pickaxe seems pretty effective against my particular brand of mortar.
“You’re not what I expected,” he finally says.
“What did you expect?”
“Someone more…evil, I guess?”
I laugh, but the sound is dipped in sadness. I let out a heavy sigh, shaking my head. “Sawyer doesn’t know everything that happened all those years ago. I don’t know what he’s told you about me, but I can guarantee I’m probably not as bad as he says. At least, I hope not.”
“I’m starting to see that.” He keeps his eyes on mine for a moment longer, and heat blooms over my cheeks. My throat grows tight. The air thickens, and I wonder what he’s really thinking.
Does he feel this tension between us? Does he imagine himself naked next to me, the way I imagine being next to him? Does he wish we hadn’t gotten off on the wrong foot, too?
Benji clears his throat, breaking the spell between us. “I got the parts for your car. Should have it fixed by the end of the week.” He gives me a quick nod, retreating from the office.
“Still can’t get a hold of him?” Lucy looks at me as I stare at my phone.
“Disconnected,” I say, shaking my head. “I don’t know where Sawyer went. I wish he wasn’t avoiding me.”
“We should have made contact before moving here. If we told him about my pregnancy, about Roman…”
“I tried! The man is a ghost. No social media, unlisted phone number and address, nothing. The only way the private investigator found him was an article in the Woodvale local paper about a charity run he did with the garage.” I sigh, trying to contain my frustration. “I thought once we were here, he’d see…”
“Once he comes back, he’ll understand. You know how he is—quick to anger but quicker to forgive if he’s in the wrong.” Lucy smiles at me, putting her hand on my arm.
I force a smile back, but I’m not so sure. Sawyer is stubborn. He has ideals that aren’t always realistic, and he would rather die than bend his made-up rules. When I accepted the job at our father’s company to provide for Lucy and Roman, I think a part of our relationship died. I lost his respect, because I wasn’t acting the way he thought was right.
He didn’t know about Lucy’s pregnancy, though.
That has to change things. Doesn’t it?
No matter what Sawyer thinks, I had to stay behind. I had to play the good daughter and use my parents’ support so I could provide for her. I had to help her finish high school, start college, and make sure Roman was safe and healthy.
I had to. If I’d taken off with Sawyer, Lucy would have been on her own. How long would Lucy have suffered out in the cold if I hadn’t stayed?
By now, sure, maybe Sawyer and I would have enough money to help her out. We wanted to build a business together. But that takes time—how much would she have suffered for the years in between?
It’s all well and good to have principles and ideals and values—but the real world is the real world, and sometimes you need to do things you don’t like in order to survive.
“What if he doesn’t forgive me?” I ask, finally voicing the fear that’s been plaguing me since Lucy and I decided to come to Woodvale.
“He’s stubborn, not heartless,” Lucy says. “Plus, look at Roman’s face. How can he resist that amount of cuteness?”
Roman, sitting on the floor playing with a toy truck, looks at us and smiles. My heart melts a tiny bit, just as it does every time I see my nephew.
I nod. “You’re right.”
“Maybe Benji knows where Sawyer is. Sawyer could have another phone. He might be staying at a friend’s place. This is a small town. Someone will know. You should ask Benji.”
I stare at my sister, nodding. “Not a bad idea. He hasn’t been quite so hostile lately.”
“You said he brought our plate back this morning.” She smiles.
“Cleaned and polished.” I grin.
“There you go.” Lucy nods encouragingly. Roman giggles, lifting one
