Tentatively, I pat Thea’s leg because it feels like the comforting thing to do. “Better now?” She grunts in response. “Great. I’ve got to go, I have a date tonight.”
“With Ben?” she asks.
I can feel the look of disgust painted across my face. “Ew. No. Why would you ask that?”
She grins at me. “He seems to seek your approval like a puppy dog looking for scratches.”
Gag. “He can scratch his own ass.”
“This feels like a ‘you’re not fucking but you want to be’ type situation,” she says, throwing my own words back at me. If only she knew.
“Bye, Thea! Off to go get ready for my date with Garrett—not Benjamin. See if I come back to help again after that sass.”
The door shuts behind me as Thea shouts, “Bye, Colette! Good luck!”
“Good luck with what?”
I stop dead in my tracks, knowing exactly who will be standing there if I turn around.
“Leave her alone, Ben.” Ah, thank fuck. Jules is here too.
Turning to face the twins, I address Jules while completely ignoring Ben’s question. “You should go talk to her,” I tell him, nodding toward the studio door. “She… she wants you, so for fuck’s sake put us all out of our misery and do something about it, okay?”
Jules’ answering smirk is sheepish. “Okay,” he simply replies before walking into the studio.
“Wow, that was easy.” I turn toward Ben. “Does it work on you as well? Go away!” I shoo him, but he doesn’t budge.
“You can’t get rid of me that easily, Red.” He chuckles.
“I’m aware.”
“So what do you need luck with?”
I debate not answering but maybe he’ll leave me alone if I do. “I have a date.”
“Of course you do. That birthday deadline is coming up, isn’t it?”
“We are not getting married,” I seethe, taking a step toward him.
He matches me as he asks, “Why not?”
Why not? Why not! Because… because… “You don’t even know me!” I splutter. “Just because we knew each other over a decade ago does not mean we should get married!”
He hums, as if I didn’t just make an excellent point. But then he opens his mouth again. “I don’t? I know that you like to tie people up.”
Now he’s standing entirely too close. “People don’t base a marriage off of that information.”
Ben tips his head side to side. “I suppose not. But I also know that you’re a hard worker—that hasn’t changed. You smell delicious—” He holds his hand up to stop me from interrupting. “Also not something people base a marriage off of, I know. You are kind to animals, even the really ugly ones.”
“Stalking my Instagram again?”
“You have an obsession withDateline,” he continues.
“It’s called a special interest.”
“And…” He steps in so close, I can feel the heat of his breath coasting across my nose. His hand lifts, and my eyes drift shut on their own volition. He’s going to kiss me again.
I think I’m going to let him.
