I took his hand.
Well, kind of. I actually reached down to grab my leftovers and handed them over to him.
“Really?” he asked, and I couldn’t tell if he was simply incredulous at my action, impressed, or even amused.
“There’s shellfish in one of these,” I said simply. “We should refrigerate it if we’re going to be a while.”
He was still staring at me as if I was insane, which I probably was, but he didn’t argue. Instead, he transferred the bag to his other hand so he could extend his free one to me yet again.
Ever the gentleman.
Despite all the logic that screamed otherwise, I did feel better as his callous palm met my own. He was just sowarm.And there was an inherent strength to his grip even though he was incredibly gentle with me.
He let go far too soon, but of course, I didn’t verbalize that. I stayed silent as we walked over the cobblestone pathway to his front door. I did pause outside, however, my head feeling clearer than it had ever since that stranger had thrown himself into the car.
“I have questions.”
“It would be strange if you didn’t.”
“But I want to be lucid when I ask them. So, you’ll have to be patient.”
He let out possibly the driest laugh I’d ever heard from him. “Trust me, I’m not in a hurry.”
I wasn’t quite sure what to say to that, so I didn’t say anything at all as he let me into his house.
The interior was just as lovely as the exterior. All modern and organized, although there were signs of children everywhere. Pictures on the wall, drawings hung up with pride, large chests that were no doubt chock-full of toys, tons of blankies and pillows on the couch.
“Would you like to rest here for a bit?” he murmured softly, pointing to the couch. “Junior and Veronica are probably asleep. I’ll text Natalie that I’m home safe, but I have company.”
“If you tell her that, she’ll probably think something different is happening.” Asking a date to go back to their place was usually followed by something a whole lot more fun. Also, those festivities would elevate a heart rate rather than drop it down.
But that wassonot happening. Although I still found Ben ridiculously attractive, it was impossible to ignore thateverythinghad changed between us.
What a clusterfuck.
“Ah. I didn’t…” He shook his head. “I’ll tell her I’m home and ask her not to come downstairs. You can hang in here if you’d?—”
“Actually, do you have a place to sit in your kitchen?”
He nodded.
“Great. I’d love some fresh fruit or a spoonful of honey, if you have any.”
“Does that help, uh, whatever is going on?”
I shrugged. “It’s high in sugar, but low in iodine. Hopefully, it’ll help my stomach with the meds too.”
“I see. This way then.”
We walked through his rather expansive house and the kitchen was just as fancy as everything else, complete with shiny chrome appliances and a double-range stove.
“I’ve got a berry mix in the fridge. Do you want that with your honey?” he asked, sounding so uncertain of himself.
“That would be perfect, actually.”
Berries were also high in sugar and low in iodine, so hopefully it would help my body find equilibrium after the adrenaline rush. I hated to think of how many additional calories I’d burned with how hard my heart had been going at it.
I really needed to get around to buying those Ensures.
