“Thanks,” I grumble, snatching my keys off the counter and heading toward my car.
We’re on our way to a team dinner, sanctioned by their coach and caused by “the recent discord amongst the players,” or so Will said. Apparently dining at an upscale restaurant is meant to solve whatever problems the guys are having. Plus ones were invited, maybe as a buffer, so here I am. Most of the team is there when we finally show up, and Will is bristling with irritation at our tardiness.
“Andy’s not even here yet, Will,” I say, smoothing my hand down his arm. “I think we’re okay.”
He glances around the table to verify and I feel the tension dissipate almost immediately.
“Sorry babe,” he apologizes, setting his green eyes on me, that boyish grin reappearing. “It’s been a long week.” He grabs my hand, pressing a hard kiss to it, and leads me to our seat.
It isn’t until we’re about to be seated across from him that I realize this dinner will involve being in the same room as WillandBen. Not that it should matter, but he’s been missing in action since our seminar on Monday. He’s answered my texts about class, but nothing else.There shouldn’t be anything else, I remind myself, but the disappointment remains.
My gaze lands on a gorgeous copper tinted blonde, laughing far too intensely at something Ben just said. She seems overly familiar with him, her posture not nearly nervous enough to be on a first, second, or even third date. Annoyance rolls over me before I swat it away.Who am I to judge Ben for his choice in women? Why do I even care?
I clutch Will’s hand tightly under the table, and move it to my thigh, flirtatiously glancing his way as he caresses it. I sneak a glance at Ben who, oblivious to us, rolls his eyes, smirkingat mystery girl’s amusement, before recognizing the couple who just sat before him, something like alarm flashing in his eyes. He quickly recovers, giving us a friendly wave.
“Hey, Will,” he says, a tepid smile on his lips. “Olivia,” he nods, like we’re barely acquaintances. I can’t help but feel offended, even though I shouldn’t. I haven’t eventoldWill about my day with Ben, yet. He almost flipped when I told him we studied together. What would he do if I told him we spent the day in the city?This is for the best, I convince myself.For all intents and purposes we aren’t anything more than acquaintances, anyway.
“Hi,” the blonde squeaks with a hint of southern drawl, snatching my hand and clutching it tightly. “I’m Sloane. Where did you get that sweater? I absolutely love,” she exaggerates the word love, reaching across the table to run her hand over the cashmere.
Rarely taken aback, I stutter. “Uh… Veronica Beard, over on Newbury.” I peek at Ben to find his gaze coolly resting on me.
The girl abruptly turns to Grant, seated to her left, and grabs his arm. “Remind me to stop at Veronica Beard when we go to Newbury tomorrow. Ihaveto have that sweater. Do they have it in anything less… dreary?” she asks, squinting one eye as if that somehow makes her characterization of my favorite color better.
“I see you’ve met my sister,” a tight, but loving expression on his face. Understanding dawns on me, and I realize this girl is most likelynotBen’s date at all.
“Sorry, I was just so distracted by how soft your sweater looks,” she all but giggles.
“I’m glad someone likes it,” I reply, deciding I find Sloane incredibly endearing. I tilt my head toward Will as I say, “This one thought it was just ‘fine’.”
Sloane gasps in mock disbelief.
“I said you looktotallyfine, to be clear. And yeah, I mean it’s nothing to write home about. Not worth being late over,” he adds, mumbling audibly. Sloane squints at Will, disdain seeping from her gaze.
“You look great, Olivia,” Ben contradicts his brother, apparently deciding I’m worth speaking to. “You were right when you saw it on the rack— that color suits you,” he says, reaching across Sloan to grab a piece of bread. His gaze isn’t on me though, it’s on Will, an antagonistic smirk settled on his face.
“What does he mean ‘you were right’?” Will mutters to me under his breath, sharply pulling his hand off my thigh.Fuck.
“We had to run an errand for that class we’re in and I wanted to stop by a couple stores. I could have sworn I told you,” I casually remark, wanting to kick Ben under the table for even mentioning it, but when I nudge my foot forward I most certainly come into contact with Sloane’s calf.
“Hmph,” Will scoffs. “You keep swearing you told me things, and I keep swearing you didn’t.” I hum in agreement, brushing him off, and thank the heavens when the waiter finally makes his way to our section.
The rest of the dinner continues without another disturbance; Sloane and Grant switch spots so that he can more easily converse with Ben and Will, and Sloane and I discuss the democratization of art which I admittedly know little about, but Sloane gives me quite the education. By the time we’re debating whether to grab dessert here or at the ice cream parlor down the street, I’ve completely forgotten about Ben’s subtle admission.
“The lavender bacon ice cream sounds like an odd pairing, but I swear—” I’m extolling the virtues of Little Boo’s ice cream flavors when Will cuts me off.
“I think we’re gonna get going though, right babe?” he demands more than asks, irritation lurking in his eyes.
I give in, choosing to have this out in the comfort of my home rather than Little Boo’s tiny store font.
“Oh my gosh, you’re right. We were…” I hesitate to generate a quick lie, and Ben’s calculating stare clocks it. “We were going to watch that new A24 movie together. And we already have ice cream in my freezer. But get the lavender bacon, Sloane— I promise you’ll love it.”
“Yeah, sure,” Sloane reassures me, suspiciously glancing at Will before pushing up from the table. “Hopefully, I’ll see you around. I’m hereindefinitely.” She says indefinitely like the word itself is haunted and laughs.
“Yes,” I smile, eager to have a friend. “Will you be at the gala?”
“No, I’m seeing a show that night, but I’ll text you!”
I feel Will pulling my chair out, signaling that it’s time to go. “Yes— get my number from Grant,” I say, not wanting to make Will wait any longer.
