Ben recognized the girls from the hike today. They were with a group whose parents hadn’t come, so they’d been assigned to a chaperone.
Ben shut the door and followed them into the bedroom. He glanced around quickly to make sure things were put away and snagged a towel off the back of the chair, tossing it under the sink in the bathroom.
“Savannah, this is Sophie and Margo. I think they’re in your class.”
“We are,” said Margo. “Hi.”
“Hi.” Savannah replied with a small wave. Avery pointed to her smile, and Savannah added one to her own expression. “Thanks for coming over.”
Sophie grinned. “Thanks for inviting us. This is sick. Everybody voted to watchGreasein our room.”
“Again?” moaned Margo.
Avery dumped the bag out on the bed. Packets spread around. “I have all the fixin’s for a ladies’ night of pampering.”
The girls dug into the assortment of shiny packages, reading the labels out loud.
“Face wash.”
“Smoothing cream.”
“Glamour pack.”
The list went on.
“Are your feet sore?” Avery asked them.
“I thought they were going to fall off,” said Margo.
“Iwantedmine to fall off,” added Savannah. Her voice wasn’t as strong as if she were talking to a trusted friend. Almost like she was testing her sense of humor out on these girls.
Sophie nodded.
“Let’s start with the foot soak.” Avery picked up several packets and headed for the bathroom. “This tub is perfect.”
Ben hovered in the doorway, feeling helpless. The water ran for a few minutes while the girls chatted. They asked where Savannah was from, why she moved there, if she liked the school, Seattle, and any boys in their class. They then proceeded to squeal and screech as bubbles filled the tub and tickled their legs. They all sat on the edge, Savannah in the middle. The smell of eucalyptus laced the air.
The sight warmed Ben’s heart, and he had to place his hand over it. Avery shut off the water and turned to lock eyes with him. He mouthed a silentthank you.
She put her hand over his on his chest, making his heart do funny things, and pushed him out of the doorway. Speaking quietly, she filled him in. “These two have been best friends for a while, but I had an idea that they might be open to a third best friend. I hope it works out.” She lifted on her toes, as if her hope was strong enough to carry her away.
Ben captured her hand in his. “Me too.” He stared into her eyes, falling further and further. His gaze dropped to her lips, and before he could stop himself or think better of it, he kissed her. It was quick and warm and over so fast he couldn’t believe he had the guts to go for it.
Her hand flew to her lips.
Suddenly, the weight of the kiss pressed upon him. He’d been her only first date. Which meant that he’d just kissed a woman who had only ever kissed one man. And he’d done it without thinking about her. He’d just taken what he wanted. “I’m sorry.”
She stepped back, her eyes full of questions.
He had no idea how to put a voice to all the thoughts jumbling together in his head. He wasn’t sorry he’d kissed her. But it was too late to say that. “What can I do for the ladies’ night?” He needed to do something or he’d go mad.
“Um.” She rubbed her lips together. Where they tingling like his? The longer he stood there, the more aware he became of how high he’d been during that moment and how low he dropped after. “Order a cookie tray. They’ll love it.”
He rushed to the phone on the nightstand. She could have asked him to have the entire kitchen delivered, and he’d do it for her.
“The water’s getting cold,” called Margo.
Avery shook herself and headed back in. “That means it’s time to rinse and get ready for face masks.”
