Bentley shrugged and nudged the plate closer to me, prompting me to take another bite of the pie. “I’m not happy that you’re hurting. When did this happen?”
“Three, no, four days ago. I’ve been doing all my work remotely. Our only communication has been through emails and text messages. Maybe I should get a different job? Or go back to school or something. Leo would be pissed that I didn’t go to college.” But Leo was dead. He’d been my everything. My brother and protector. My best friend. And then one day, he’d just…
My phone buzzed on the counter and pulled my attention away from thoughts of Leo. Bentley snatched my phone and read the incoming message.
“It’s from Jax. He wants to know what you’re doing.”
I reached for my phone, but Bentley spun away. “I’m going to tell him that you’re moping.”
“Ben… nooo.” I whined, suddenly and eternally regretful that he knew my unlock code.
“Too late. I told him that you’re sad and need a shoulder to cry on.”
“I think I hate you. Despise. Loathe. Abhor.”
“You forgot detest.” Bentley came back and placed my phone in front of me. “Relax, Ash. All I told him was where you are. He wanted to come check on you, wanted to know if you were home.”
“You hate me,” I grumbled, pulling the pie closer. “Haters can get their own pie.”
“I don’t hate you. I hate that you’re hurting. Those are two different things.” Bentley looked like he wanted to say something but bit it down instead. Which only made me need to know what was on his mind.
“You can tell me what you’re thinking, you know. I won’t break.”
He sighed. “Okay, so I’m not happy you’re sad, but I think this might be a good thing.”
When I recoiled, he reached for me. He put his hand on my arm and looked me in the eyes. “Hear me out, okay. You’ve been hung up on Lukas for so long that you’ve shut yourself out to a lot of people and a lot of experiences. And I get it, okay. Lukas is important to you, and he always will be. Just not in the way you wanted him to be. But I know for a fact there’s a lot of guys who would die for your attention. Maybe now that you’ve put yourself out there and know for certain that it can’t happen, you’ll be more open to other possibilities.”
The whole time Bentley talked, his thumb slid back and forth over the same spot on my arm.
“It’s okay to admit that you love me, Bentley. I know you’ve been waiting to shoot your shot with me.”
Bentley scowled. Not a real scowl, though. “You’re a pain in the ass. Don’t think for a second that I missed that deflection.”
The bells on the front door chimed, and I turned my head to see Jax walk in. Bentley motioned to me. “Get him out of my diner. He’s loitering here, drinking all my decaf and eating free pie. He needs fresh air.”
Jax flashed Bentley a smile, but when he looked at me, his smile seemed like it was wider. Like it sparkled. Jax moved closer and looped his arm around my shoulders.
“Come on, Ashy, you heard the man.”
I tried to shrug Jax off, but he was persistent. “I’m fine where I am.”
“That stool is molded to the shape of your ass. Other customers will never be able to sit there again. You’re ruining the furniture.”
I shook my head, but slid off the stool and let Jax steer me toward the door. “I hate you both.”
“You don’t,” Bentley responded. “See you later. Call me.”
“I’m never calling you again.”
He blew me kisses, knowing how unserious I was.
The fresh air hit me like a hammer, the scent of rain thick in the air. When had it rained? How long had I been inside? What time was it?
“Blue and I have been worried about you,” Jax said, steering me away from the parking lot.
“I’m fine,” I said, wishing I could believe it. More than hurt, I was mortified. Had I really thought Lukas would have the same feelings for me that I had for him? Part of me wanted to say yes, but I couldn’t seem to make myself.
Jax moved closer to me. Our arms brushed against each other as we walked. The warmth from his body radiated outward, and I found myself wanting to snuggle in against him and make him share it with me.
