It wasn't the worst idea in the world.
Kelly needed someone to accompany her to her sister's wedding, to act as a buffer between her and her judgmental family. Ben had experience dealing with difficult dynamics and personalities thanks to years in business and negotiations. And, he was genuinely interested in Lori Powell's case, bothered by the shoddy investigation and the justice denied.
Plus, they could help each other. His mother's sixtieth birthday celebration was coming up next month. The entire extended family would be there, including aunts, uncles, and cousins who would inevitably ask about his business. Questions he wasn't ready to answer.
Having Kelly accompany him would provide the perfect distraction. Everyone would be so busy wondering about the new woman in his life that they might forget to interrogate him about his career trajectory.
"Perhaps it's not a terrible idea," Ben conceded, moving from his couch to look out the window again. The sun was beginning to peek over the horizon, the city waking up for another busy day. "Although it didn't cross my mind until you suggested it."
“Sure, it didn't. A complete surprise,” Chase laughed. “Never thought about it at all.”
"Really, I wasn't thinking about that." Ben's protest sounded weak even to his own ears. "I was just going to help her look through the file, point out the investigative flaws."
"If that's what you need to tell yourself, go right ahead," Chase said, clearing his throat loudly. "But I think you should do it. Why not? You've got the free time now, and it's interesting to you."
There were sounds and voices in the background, reminding Ben that his brother was at work and needed to open the shop soon.
"For once in your life," his brother continued, "do something you haven't planned out for years. Be spontaneous. Take a chance. Have some damn fun. Do something that's completely out of character for you."
Ben's expression tightened, caught between irritation at being so easily read and grudging acknowledgment that Chase might have a point. His entire life had been organized around careful planning, calculated risks. It had worked, too, until Scott decided to renounce capitalism and Martin decided to shut down their company without so much as a heads-up.
Frankly, he didn’t like it when he didn’t have control of a situation.
"Worst-case scenario," Chase was saying, "you won't like it. Honestly, I don’t think you’ll like it, but maybe you will. Maybe you'll find out that everything doesn't have to be written down in a list before you do it. You might surprise us all.”
The words hit uncomfortably close to home. Ben had quite literally been making lists since he was old enough to write, lists of goals, of tasks, of achievements. The to-do list on his desk was just the latest in a lifetime of attempting to impose order on an inherently chaotic world.
And what had all that planning gotten him? A business in ruins. An apartment that felt more like a hotel room than a home.
"I'll think about it," Ben finally said, surprising himself with how much he meant it.
He needed to shift the conversation away from Kelly and the case before Chase extracted any more uncomfortable realizations.
"And by the way, don't tell anyone else about the business being shut down. I'll tell them eventually, when I'm ready."
"Your secret's safe with me," Chase promised. "But don't wait too long. Mom's got a sixth sense about these things. And Dad’s instincts aren’t too shabby either."
"I know, I know. I'll tell them soon." Ben sighed. "Thanks for listening, Chase."
"Anytime. That's what brothers are for." The warmth in Chase's voice was genuine. "Call me tomorrow, let me know what you decide about the investigation."
After ending the call, Ben stared at Lori Powell's file. Kelly's desperate yet hopeful request played over and over in his mind.
Look at the file, please. I've been studying it for years.
Go with Kelly to her sister's wedding? Help her investigate her friend's murder while also shielding her from her meddling parents?
It was probably a damn awful idea. A complication he didn't need while trying to figure out his next career move.
And yet, the prospect was undeniably intriguing. For the first time in weeks, he felt something besides failure and uncertainty. He felt interested. Excited. He hadn’t felt that in a long time.
Too long.
Maybe Chase was right. Maybe it was time to do something unplanned, something spontaneous. Maybe it was time to just say yes and see where it led.
Chapter
Six
