“Oh. Good. I mean I don’t want anything to go wrong.” She put her head back on his shoulder snuggling in a little.
Ben ached to put his arm around her. He was about to move and do just that when he noticed Jason approaching.Dammit.
“Ben, I’m about to go to the meeting. And it looks like you’re about to be the new president.”
With a twist in his gut, he realized that he was about to lose the bet. “No way, I can’t do it, mate.”
Raven lifted her head from his shoulder. “What meeting?’
“One for the Alpaca breeders and your boyfriend here needs to step up and do his duty and be the next president.” Jason had a very cheeky grin on his face, one that Ben wanted to remove, probably with his fist if he were inclined that way. He wanted to say I’m not her boyfriend, but his mouth dried. He so wanted to be her boyfriend, not her lover.How could something that was meant to be simple, adult fun turn into anything more?
“I got to stay here, though. Evie needs to be watched,” Ben finally managed to say.
“That’s fine. I’ll nominate you. Dan said he’ll vote for you, and you’re going to be president without even being at the meeting.”
“I’m sure that’s not constitutional.”
“Doesn’t matter. It will be done and dusted in about an hour.”
Ben shook his head. He was all for being part of the community of alpaca breeders, but he needed more time. There was so much he needed to get used to doing by himself on the farm, and he didn’t need the extra responsibility of being president of the alpaca breeders.
“What about I stay here and watch Evie?”
“Your girlfriend has a good point.”
“His girlfriend is called Raven,” she piped up. “And I’d be happy to sit here to make sure Evie is all right.”
“But what if something happens? You don’t know what to look for?” Ben ran his hand through his hair. She referred to herself as my girlfriend. Fuck the meeting, they needed to bloody talk right here and now.Maybe she’s playing along with Jason. He wasn’t sure what to think anymore.
“Give me your phone.” Raven held out her hand.
“What?”
“You need my number, though technically, I need yours. I’ll ring you if there’re any problems.”
“How will you know?” He knew she was clueless. “Have you seen an alpaca born before?”
“No. I haven’t seen any animal or human born. But I reckon if she starts looking upset, like maybe pacing, I’ll call you. Bloody hell if she flicks her ears, I’ll call you. You said she’s got this, and she looks calm. And if anyone comes near her, I’ll stop them.”
Ben wasn’t so sure. Her response was good enough. There was no sign that anything was going wrong. If he got back in an hour, and the baby wasn’t birthed by then, he would still wait a little longer before calling the vet. There were a few hours before he needed to get worried.
“Go on. Trust Raven.” Jason piped up.
Ben took out his phone. This was one way to get her number. So maybe things were working out just as they were meant to. “What’s your number?”
“Here.” She took his phone and punched in her number, then rang herself. “Now I’ve got yours.”
“You’re all set. Come on, Jason, we’re going to be late.”
“I’ll be fine. Evie will be fine, and you’re only a phone call away.”
Ben took back his phone and stood up. Against his better judgment, he went along with this bloody plan. “Just call, no matter what. If you think something is happening, then you ring me. You got it?”
“I have.” She smiled confidently. “Now, boyfriend, go. I expect you back in an hour.”
Boyfriend. Now she was calling him her boyfriend. It was just what he wanted.
Jason whistled. “Come on, lovebirds, hurry up with your goodbyes.”
