Love-bombing, grandeur.
Theo was the same once he started to make a lot more money. Even Walker, he tried to do the grand gesture thing, within the limits of the college allowance his parents gave him.
So why are my eyes misting up?
“Ugh!”
Because I am weak.
Again, here I stand, swooning. Impressed. Touched.
By charm and money.
Except.
It feels different.
Everything Theo did was in front of our friends. Everything in our relationship was such a show. A public proposal. Planned a crazy over the top wedding, even if we never made it down the aisle. His giant engagement party that blew up in my face.
Walker was showy too.
But, who am I kidding, as if Ben’snot?
He is…isn’t he?
“Mrs. Clark? Are you here to see Cheryl?”
“Oh, yes,” I say, realizing I’ve just been standing frozen in the lobby, muttering at myself.
I walk to Gran’s hall and think of Ben at the expo, literally on stage, dazzling everyone.
Although…he didn’t dazzle. He actually got up there and just talked. Made fun of the whole Clark enterprise and his dad and, most of all, himself. People were charmed not because he was charming them but because he just happens to be charming.Everyone who meets him loves him because…he is…so damn lovable.
No.
Likable.
He’s a…good pal. A buddy.
My friend. A best friend, even.
He’s a sweet guy who will make a great husband for real some day when he slows down enough to fall in love. No, actually, he won’t slow. He won’t change.
“He shouldn’t change.” I say out loud. Meaning it. He’s spectacular, just as he is.
He’ll be perfect for someone when he finds a girl who can keep up with him. Someone other than me. My eyes mist up again.
I try to convince myself it’s still about the garlands and the wreaths.
33
BEN
“Told you not to do it.” Nigel grumbles as we near the house.
“Oh, shut up, old man. She loved it.”
“The woman who hates grand gestures loved your grand gesture?”
