“I need to head out quickly and get somethin’ I’m missin’ for lunch. Will you be alright?”
Harper nodded. “Yep. Just going to catch up on some work.”
I bent to place a kiss on his forehead, replaced his tea with a hot cup, then dashed upstairs to get changed before heading out.
thirty-two
Harper
GINNY.
I’d thought telling Benny would make me feel weak, instead I felt lighter. The weight over me hadn’t lifted, but it had eased.
Benny hadn’t seen me the way I’d feared. Instead, he told me he was inaweof me.
Every new moment I spent with him only confirmed that he was the best person I’d ever met. Despite what he might say, I knew he was too good for someone like me, but I was learning that I planned on keeping him anyway. I’d find ways to make up for everything he deserved that I lacked.
Work was uneventful. There was nothing urgent that couldn’t wait until Monday, even though my father would disagree. I’d read all his emails, replied only to what was absolutely necessary, and then closed my laptop. I’d check again a bit later just to make sure nothing new came in.
Then I was rummaging through Benny’s pantry looking for where he stored the strawberry tea so I could make myself another one. When I couldn’t find it, I suspected he’d placed it on a shelf that was higher than I was capable of seeing.
With the assistance of a dark green chair I stole from his dining room, I found that I was right. The tea was on the top shelf where only that giant could reach it. Along with four other boxes of it. How much did he think I drank?
A throat cleared behind me. I turned quickly, nearly falling off the chair as my eyes landed on the stranger.
My heart thundered in my chest in panic as I stepped down, suddenly feeling like I might puke.
I recognized her. She was in the pictures on Benny’s wall, and now she was here, with familiar brown eyes that looked me up and down and saw far too much.
Of course Benny’s fuckingmotherhad just walked in on me rummaging through his pantry… wearing nothing but his giant hoodie. It was clearly his too. It had his gym logo on the front and “Forrester” in giant bold letters across the back. I hoped the fabric hadn’t lifted while I was reaching for the tea, because under it was a fucking butt plug holding her son’s cum in my ass.
Could I talk my way out of this?
My mind searched for any valid, non-suspicious, non-sexual reasons I might be in Benny’s house and dressed like this.
“So… you’re the one my Bear Bear has been smitten with lately.”
I swallowed.
“You’re also Rach’s boss, aren’t you? I recognize you.”
Fuck.
“I’m startin’ to understand why he was bein’ so damn sneaky.”
My mouth had completely dried out as she marched toward me, taking the tea from my hand and reading over the box before humming and opening the cupboard to pull another mug free.
I needed to escape.
I slowly walked backward, hoping to sneak away while she was distracted with the tea.
“I’m Ginny,” she said, turning her attention back to me. No such luck, then. “But you can call me Ma.”
Ginny wouldn’t let me escape.
Despite trying to keep my composure, I was sure she must have noticed my discomfort by now. Regardless, she wouldn’t let me get away from her.
“I should go get changed.” I tried a more direct approach.
