Page 138 of Champagne Nights

I put the beer back in the refrigerator and asked Ben to take me home. I kissed my dad goodbye and climbed into the truck.

“Did something happen?” Ben asked.

“Just my family not knowing when to stop. They always feel the need to make my life the topic of their conversations. Especially when I’m not in the room.”

When we pulled up into my driveway, I didn’t know if I should ask Ben to come in or not. I didn’t want to give him the wrong impression, but I wasn’t ready for our night to end either.

“Would you like to come in for some coffee or a beer?”

“I’m good, but I do have to use the bathroom if that’s okay.”

I smiled. “Of course it is. Come on.”

I unlocked the door and told Ben the bathroom was down the hall and to the left. I threw my keys and purse on the kitchen counter and opened up a can of Fancy Feast for Romeo.

“You have a really nice house, Paisley.” Ben smiled.

“Thank you.”

I saw him looking at the treadmill in the corner of the living room. “So you use that instead of running outside now?”

“Yeah. I just haven’t been able to bring myself to do it. I know it sounds weird but?—”

“There’s no need to explain, and it doesn’t sound weird. I better get going. I have to be at the station early tomorrow. I’m working the next three days straight.”

“Okay.” I smiled as I walked him to the door.

“Thanks for inviting me to dinner and to meet your family. Regardless of what you think, they’re good people.”

“I know they are. They’re just annoying.”

Ben chuckled as he took my hand. “Bye, Paisley.”

“Bye, Ben.”

He stared into my eyes and then at my lips. The flame that was between us was turned up on high. I wanted him to kiss me, but then, I didn’t. He brought my hand to his lips and softly kissed it.

“Good night.” He smiled.

“Good night.” I smiled back as I slowly closed the door. I leaned up against it and looked down at Romeo as he rubbed his head against my leg. I slowly slid down until I was sitting on the ground and then cupped my face in my hands. What was happening?

Chapter Seventeen

Ben

What the hell was I thinking when I kissed her hand? I should have just kissed her cheek. Now, I felt like an idiot. She probably thought I was an idiot—an idiot who kissed hands. I thought about today and how much fun I had going surfing with her. It made me think about how nice it would be if she would go running with me. I needed to call Finn because I had two missed calls and three text messages when I checked my phone.

“Bro, what the hell was that at the beach?”

“I’m dying over here, Ben. You better call me as soon as you get home.”

“Olivia told me to stop bothering you, but I can’t. I need to know what’s going on. Call me.”

When I walked through the door, I turned on the lights, threw my keys on the table, and dialed Finn.

“Where the hell have you been?” he asked.

“I was having dinner with a friend.”

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