“You don’t have to wear white,” Ben says, and Holly’s eyes sparkle.
“That’s also true,” she says. “I could do teal. Or yellow! God, I love yellow.”
“Teal, white, yellow. It all stains,” I say.
“Oh my God, can we have potato salad?” she asks. “And deviled eggs!”
“I have a killer recipe for deviled eggs,” Gavin says, truly unscrewing the wheels from this already faulty vehicle as it is. “With bacon and jalapeno.”
“He’s not wrong,” Ben says, picking up an olive from the charcuterie board.
“No, I think this is perfect,” Holly says. “Charlotte, do you think you can find barbecue caterers?”
“I mean, I never really looked into–”
“I know a guy,” Gavin says.
Of course he does.
“Well then, it’s set,” Ben says.
“That was easy,” Holly says. “Piece of cake, right? See, I knew the two of you would be the dream team.”
God. How I wish this was a dream. Right now, it feels like a nightmare.
With that, Holly stands up. “Well, I think this calls for another bottle of wine.”
Gavin stands too. “I’ll come with you. When I said I would pay for everything, I meant everything.”
The two of them walk off, leaving me and Ben alone.
“You know,” he says, swirling the small amount of wine left in his glass. “If this is all too much for you, I wouldn’t blame you.”
“What do you mean? I’m having a great time,” I smile sarcastically. But Ben knows I’m lying because he offers a soft smile and I sigh. “Honestly? It’s so awkward. But I really do want this job. And if I’m being honest…” I pause because the words I am about to say aren’t easy. “I like her.”
“Yeah,” he says quietly, his eyes on his wine. “She’s pretty great.”
“Yeah,” I say just as softly. Then I look up at him. “I am curious, though, about one thing.”
“Sure,” he says.
“How did you move on so quickly?” I ask. “I mean, I know we didn’t date for very long, and I know we weren’t right for each other, but I’m just kind of surprised.”
“I am too,” Ben says. “But I guess that’s the thing. I met her and I just…knew.”
“Knew what?” I ask.
“That she was it,” he answers. “You know?”
I nod. But I don’t really know. And I don’t have time to think about it before Gavin and Holly come back with another bottle.
I stand up and start packing up my things.
“Wait, you’re not leaving, are you?” Holly asks.
“Yeah, I bought the good stuff,” Gavin says with a smile.
“I have another appointment,” I say. “But I hope the three of you enjoy it.”
