Page 146 of Champagne Nights

“About fifteen minutes east of you.”

“I’ll meet you at your house, and we can drive from there to the Palm.”

“I can pick you up, Paisley.”

“It’s out of the way. Plus, you saw my house, and I want to see yours,” I replied with a small smile.

“Okay, then.”

He told me his address, and I put it in my phone as we pulled up in my driveway.

“Should I be over around six fifteen?”

“Six fifteen sounds good. I’ll see you then. Thank you again for today. It really meant a lot to me. I want you to know that I’ll be there for you when it's your day.”

“Thank you.”

He climbed out of the truck and helped me carry the boards to the garage.

“I’ll see you later, Paisley.” He smiled.

“Bye, Ben,” I said as I gave a small wave and went inside.

I stood in the shower, under the hot water, a little longer than usual. All I kept thinking about was Ben. To watch the way he hurt today was all too familiar. My day was coming, and I honestly didn’t know if I was going to be able to get through it, even if Ben was with me. I finished up in the shower, and when I stepped out, I heard my phone ringing.

“Hello,” I said with irritation.

“I called to apologize for what I said yesterday, and I’m standing outside your door with donuts.”

I smiled as I put on my robe and opened the door.

“The donuts can stay.”

“Aw, sis. Come on. I’m sorry,” Keaton begged.

“Get in here, you dork.”

“Why are you taking a shower in the middle of the afternoon?”

“Because,” I replied as I turned away and walked to the kitchen with the bag of donuts.

“STOP!” Keaton said.

I froze in place. He walked up behind me and sniffed my hair. “You went surfing today.”

“So.”

“Did you go with Ben?”

“Maybe,” I said as I took a chocolate-frosted donut from the bag.

“Paisley, enough with the games.”

I sighed and rolled my eyes. “Make me a cup of coffee and come into the bathroom. I have to get ready. I’m going out tonight.”

“With Ben?”

“Yep,” I said as I walked away.

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