Benny, wisely, held his tongue.
“But if that’s what you want, Maggie, more power to you.”
Benny gave him a tentative smile. “I love you.”
Doug sighed. “But he’s cute, and I can’t live without him.”
“That.That’swhat I want. Eventually.”
“You got a man, go for it, I say.” Doug nodded.
“But I just met Reggie.”
“So what?” Benny said and grabbed Doug’s hand. “When you know, you know.”
“I don’t love him.” She gaped. “I barely know him.”
“Get to know him.” Doug popped a jelly bean in his mouth. “Stop putting up roadblocks in your head every time the man talks. Just because he changes his plans doesn’t mean he’s getting ready to nicely ditch you. I never knew you were so phobic when it came to men.”
“I’m usually not.”
“Ah,” both Doug and Benny said together.
“What?”
“He makes you nervous, right?” Benny asked. “Who’s the last guy you got nervous about?”
She had to think. “Maybe Brent? But I dated him two years ago.”
“And for maybe two weeks. He was hot but so stupid.” Benny frowned. “You can do so much better than that.”
“I know. You guys told me. Several times.” Maggie took a cookie. “I want to be smart. I really like Reggie. And I know I need to stop second-guessing what he says. I also know that being a single mom isn’t helping my case. Emily is great. I love her. But anyone I date has to love her too. That’s why Reggie and I are keeping us—whatever the definition of us is—a secret.”
Doug nodded. “That’s smart. We won’t say a word.”
“Not a peep.” Benny turned an invisible key over his lips. “So long as you keep us informed. I want to know how the dates go. Details. Everything.”
“Especially the sex parts,” Doug agreed with a grin. “Don’t leave anything out.”
She flushed.
“We seriously need to know, do firemen do it better?”
“Better than who?”
“I don’t know. It’s an expression.” Doug shrugged. “When is Stephen coming back? We’re happy to watch Emily whenever you want to go out, but if he had her for a while, you’d have a nice break to focus on your new man.”
“Good point,” Benny agreed. His phone beeped. He glanced down and sighed. “Oh man. It’s late. We should let her get some sleep for tomorrow.”
“Yeah.” Doug pulled Benny to his feet. “Wear something cute and flirty, but not too sexy. Wow him with your girl-next-door prettiness.”
“And do flip-flops. Guys dig pretty toes.”
“They do?” Doug asked as they walked to the door.
“I like yours.” Benny kissed him.
Doug blushed. “Yeah, but you’re weird.”
