“This is coming at me quick,” Murphy said, “and there’s no denying I love you back, Ben. But ...”
The love of my life had finally said the words to me, and then they were followed with abut. Everyone knows nothing good comes after abut.
“But we have to be equals.,” she said. “I can’t mooch off you. I’ve mooched off my parents all my life. My plan was to make it on my own, and I still plan to do that, but with you by my side. And you have to get over this hang-up with where I came from. I’m leaving all that in my past, like Hunnie told me to.” Then Murphy gasped. “Oh! Hunnie.”
“Hunnie what?”
Murphy’s brow scrunched, and I could practically see the wheels turning inside her head. “She’s going to miss me. And Gigi. They’ve become my friends, my first real friends. And her wedding.”
“They’ll visit,” I told her. “And we’ll be back.”
“Ugh, I never wanted to go to New York again, but I’m going,” she said. “And this time I’m going on my own terms. For you. Plus, I’ve never lived in Brooklyn.”
Smart enough not to argue, I only nodded and smiled. I wanted to pinch myself at what was happening. If that made me a softie, I didn’t care. When it came to Murphy, all my caveman tendencies came out.
Finally, I stood and scooped Murphy in my arms, then kissed her all the way to my bedroom, where I laid her down on the bed and stripped off her clothes. Within a minute, she was on the edge of the bed and I was on my knees, my mouth on her most intimate spot.
“I want you,” she murmured, wanting for me to be inside her, but I had different plans.
“You have me,” I said into her core, the vibrations of my words setting off tiny waves inside her that I could feel all the way to my spine. I rode each one and continued to tease and bring her to the brink before slowing down and revving back up.
Only when she muttered, “Please, Ben, I can’t,” did I give in and let her climax. I wasn’t sure who liked it more, her or me.
Needless to say, we spent the rest of Saturday in bed, only stopping to order some Asian takeout. On our way to pick it up, Branson called. He said his mom told him about Brooklyn, and he was happy for me. I promised him we would spend holidays at the ski house, which I’d planned to keep, but would sell my current house in Montpelier.
“Brenna knew about Brooklyn?” Murphy asked over the Beethoven when I hung up.
“Of course. I wouldn’t keep that from her. My parents, on the other hand, I just told them. I think they’re genuinely happy and want me out of their hair. To be honest, these negotiations have been going on for a long time. And then when you walked back into my life, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to follow through with the deal. Last week, when I took some time off, it was to consider it ... because my licensure came through, and they presented a final offer I couldn’t refuse. It’s a collaboration between the university’s medical school, and the hospital, and a wealthy triathlete who had the idea but didn’t know how to execute it. That’s where I come in.”
I glanced at Murphy and noticed that her eyes looked a little glazed over as I rambled on. “I know. This is boring.”
Another throaty laugh came from her. “No, I was just thinking. Brenna came to see me and told me she needed you to back off and let her be a parent to Branson. She encouraged me to get you back because you needed to have your own life and let her live hers. She never mentioned New York, but she forced me right back into your arms.”
“My sister might not have graduated from college, but no one ever said she wasn’t smart,” I said with a chuckle.
“You can say that again,” Murphy said, stealing a glance at me. “I need to finish up with Hunnie, though. I can’t leave her stranded.”
“You can still help her. Don’t worry—we’ll come back to visit. We’ll need a break from all the New York craziness. I don’t want you to give up anything you want.”
“Are you ready for all of that?” she asked, and I reached over to squeeze her knee.
“With you, I’m ready for anything, Murph.”
“And Zara, I guess she knew the Bean was never a permanent thing for me, but I’m going to miss her. Roddy will have a bunch of shifts to cover until they find someone.”
“Speaking of, we’re going to have to get a real espresso machine for our place so you can make me an Americano occasionally.”
“And I’ll have to get a tip jar,” she said with a giggle.
When we got to the restaurant, I ran inside and picked up the food. By the time I got back into the car, Murphy was playing Ed Sheeran.
“My turn to pick the music,” she said, and I just grinned.
As I turned back onto the road, Andrea Bocelli joined in with Sheeran, and I couldn’t help but give her a huge smile. “You found a mix combining something for both of us.”
“That’s life, Ben,” she said while tickling my arm. “You’re from one place and I’m from another, and together we make a new mash-up.”
I nodded. “Speaking of where I’m from and Brenna, I do want to talk to her about taking on an ownership role at our parents’ farm. They’re getting old, and she knows the sap business better than anyone. I don’t plan to inherit the farm, but it should be there for Branson if he ever wants it. And with Hunnie running all these joint ventures, it’s a good way for Brenna to get reconnected and be a part of something new and exciting. Branson can help her and stay out of trouble.” I glanced over at Murphy. “Maybe you’ll back me up now that you two are so close?”
