I bet he notices and likes it. Because who doesn’t want to feel attractive?She loved Doug, but he liked the attention. And with his looks, who could blame him?
“Okay, you know this, Benny. What made yesterday different?”
“The guy gave Doug his number!”
“Oh.”
“Yeah.” Benny growled, “I can handle flirting, but a phone number?”
“Doug took it?” That she couldn’t believe.
“No. I stormed over there and made sure the flirty guy noticed me. He took off like a shot. Afterward, Doug said I made a scene for no reason. He wasn’t happy with me.”
“Benny, you either trust Doug or you don’t.”
“That’s what he said.” Benny drank more. “I know I should trust him. But I’m starting to go gray and getting fat, and he’s only getting more handsome. Honey, I’m almost ten years older than he is. Why wouldn’t he want someone younger?”
“Because that someone isn’t you.” Maggie felt for him. “Benny, do you know how Doug describes you to his friends? As a big teddy bear who could snap a guy in two. He brags about how strong you are, how sexy his man is. And he’s so proud of all you’ve accomplished. He’s into you. Still, after six years. I know this because he’salwaystalking about you. And no, not to complain about you leaving your shoes all over the house.”
Benny flushed.
“He loves you so much. You don’t know how lucky you are.”
Chapter Nine
Just thinking about their relationship made Maggie tear up.
“Hey now, I didn’t come over here to make you sad.”
“I know. But you’re so lucky, and you don’t realize it. I would give anything to have the kind of relationship you guys do. You might argue, and you might fuss over who drives to dinner or who gets to pick your next vacation, but you have each other. I’ve watched you guys for years, and no matter how many spats you have—”
“I don’t think I’d call them spats,” Benny muttered. “Maybe fights, knock-down, drag-outs. Epic verbal throwdowns.”
“—you always come back to each other. Sometimes I think I’ll never have that.” She huffed. “Oh, hell. This isn’t about me. I want you to feel good about yourself, Benny. You’re still hot and sexy. Doug is still over the moon for you. But when you act like you don’t trust him, he hurts.”
“Fuck. I know.” Benny sighed. “It’s my insecurity, my self-doubt. Normally I shrug it off, but yesterday it hit me. Here’s this hot blond flirting with my guy, and the light is hitting them just so, and they look like the perfect couple. And there’s me, no longer in my prime and looking like I just left a dumpster.”
She raised a brow. “You’re the one into grunge wear and garbage-casual chic, I think you called it. Let Doug dress you up.”
“We argued about that too.” He groaned. “I messed up, and I know it. How should I make it right?” He knew the answer. Benny was actually a kind, loving man. But he liked to talk things out. So she’d accommodate him, knowing Doug would appreciate what she had to say.
“First of all, apologize. Do it up big, and grovel.”
Benny’s lips quirked. “I can ham it up.”
“I figured.” She chuckled. “Then take him dancing or to the theater. Flatter him, get him flowers. When’s the last time you got him flowers?”
Benny grimaced. “I can’t remember.”
“Benny.”
“I know. Lately I’ve been going through a midlife crisis, wondering if I’ve made the right decisions in my life. Not about Doug,” he said, waving away any such thoughts. “I mean, about leaving the ring when I did. I love teaching and playing piano, and I have a tidy nest egg put away for the future. Enough that we can live here and travel whenever we want and still be able to retire comfortably. But it’s tough when people recognize me and talk about me being a has-been.”
“What?” She sat up straight. “Who said that about you?”
Benny sank deeper into the couch. “No one. But I know they think that when they recognize me. I used to be Bear Destruction. Now I’m barely able to pin Emily.”
“Oh, stop. First of all, I’m sure no one recognizes you without the goatee and that weird face tattoo. And of course, without your red tights with the bear paws.”
