I would. At some point. Not yet, though. And there wasn’t really any need to right now. We still had time. The bar was a few weeks away from completion and he’d stick around for the wedding too. Anything could happen between then and now. Maybe he’d grow sick of me. Maybe I’d be sick of him and discover that he had some terrible habit like chewing his toenails or something.
Doubtful.
I’d been spending a lot of time with Ben and I was yet to find something about him that I didn’t like. I mean, he even put the toilet seat down.
Aha!The other day he’d left a blob of toothpaste in the sink.
Or maybe that was me?
Either way, that was hardly a dealbreaker.
Dammit.
I hated that I couldn’t think of anything. There had to besomething, right?
Maybe the most annoying thing about Ben was the fact that I struggled to find anything annoying about him.
‘And how’s the writing going?’ Jane said, sensing it was best to change the subject.
‘Really well! That book you and Jackson got me has been super helpful. I might not finish the outline in thirty days like they say, I might need a couple more weeks, but still, I’ve madesomuch progress. I’ve been writing at least a thousand words every day.’
‘That sounds brilliant! It won’t be long until our guests at the retreat are readingyourbook!’
‘Oh, I don’t know about that,’ I scoffed. ‘I’ve still got a long way to go.’
‘It’ll take time, but all your hard work will be worth it.’
‘Thanks.’ I smiled, genuinely grateful for her support.
My phone buzzed in my dress pocket and I pulled it out.
When I saw it was a message from Ben, my insides lit up like a fireworks display.
Ben
Hey, how’s the retreat going?
What time do you finish tomorrow? Let me know if you can come over. I’ve got a surprise for you.
If I was excited just seeing that he’d messaged, I was absolutely buzzing when I read that he had a surprise for me.
‘It’s messages from Ben.’ I grinned at Jane. ‘Do you mind if I reply now?’
I thought it best to ask because I didn’t want to be rude.
‘Course! Go for it! I need to text Jackson anyway. He went to see his mum this morning.’
‘How’s she doing?’ I asked. Jackson’s mum had Alzheimer’s and she was the only family he really had left, so it was hard on him.
‘She has good days and bad, but the bad days are getting more frequent.’
‘Shit. Sorry to hear that.’
‘Thanks.’
‘Well, Jackson’s Romance Library family are here to step in and help with whatever he needs, whenever he needs us. Please tell him that.’
‘I will. That means a lot. Now, go on! Don’t keep Ben waiting. Reply!’
