Page 41 of Only You and Me

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TRINA

It’s been forty-five minutes since Ben dropped me off and I’ve spent most of that time getting ready for bed and trying to come down from our argument.

“I’m a grown ass woman. I don’t need him to babysit me, and I certainly am not going to tell Fitz or Emily what’s happening,” I tell myself as I look in my bathroom mirror while doing my skin care routine. When I’m done, I change into a thin, faded Elladine Fire Department T-shirt and some sleep shorts.

I’ve no sooner climbed between my cool sheets and pulled my fluffy down comforter up to my chin when my mind plays tricks on me. Did I remember to set the alarm system or didn’t I?

I think I did, but I’m not positive.

I release an exasperated groan, then crawl out of my cocoon and pad down the stairs over to the alarm system mounted next to the door. Yes, I had it turned on. Therefore, it was totally unnecessary to get out of my amazing bed and come down here.

As I walk back toward my stairs, a car parked on the street in front of my house catches my eye through the window. I look closer.

“Are you fucking serious right now?” I ask no one in particular.

Sixty seconds later, I’ve turned off the alarm and go outside without even bothering with shoes. I stomp my way to the car. When I reach the vehicle, I pound the side of my fist on the glass window and am more than a little pleased to see Ben open his eyes wide and jump in his seat.

When he turns and sees me outside his window, he drops his head back on the headrest before straightening and opening the window.

“What in the hell do you think you’re doing?”

He simply shrugs. “Nothing. Just resting. It’s not against the law.”

“Listen, smartass, you look like a creep sitting outside my house. Go home, Ben.”

“No.”

I huff at him. “What do you mean, no? This is my house. Go home.”

“Well, I’m not in your driveway, which is your property. I’m in the street—which the city owns—and I’m a city employee so I can be here.”

My aggravation is increasing, but I decide to change tactics. “So, what? You’re going to sit here all night? You need to sleep so you’ll be fresh for work tomorrow.” I’m not wrong. Ben actually looks exhausted, his eyelids droopy and dark circles under his eyes.

He sighs, a defeated frown on his face. “I promise I’m not doing this to irritate or annoy you. But I guarantee you I’ll sleep better here in my car, where I’m sure I can get to you in moments if something happens, than I would if I was at home in my bed. So, please, go back in the house, turn on your alarm, and go to bed.”

I stare at him for a few seconds, then turn and head back to my house. As I wrap my fingers around the door handle, my conscience gets the better of me, that sappy bitch.

Before I know it, I’m back to Ben’s car and I don’t have to pound this time—he sees me coming and opens the window.

“Pull in the driveway and come inside. You can stay in my guest room tonight.”

“Trina, that’s not necess?—”

“Just do it”—I pause, realizing my tone is harsher than I intend—“please.”

Ben’s eyes widen in surprise at my ‘please,’ and I wonder for a moment if I’m really so grumpy that a simple courtesy shocks him. I don’t like how that makes me feel.

Fifteen minutes later, Ben and I are both in the house, in separate rooms, and I’m tossing and turning, trying to fall asleep. Confusion and a sensation of being unsettled stir within me. The odd thing? It’s not because of my… secret admirer. It’s because, for the first time in almost a decade, I can no longer lie to myself and pretend I still hate Ben Donley.

Or that I ever really did…

CHAPTER13

BEN

I shake out my hands to force down the nerves and then push the button for Trina’s doorbell. Sure, I’ve seen her every few days to review the text messages she continues to receive, but we usually meet somewhere public. Today is the first day I’ve been back at her house since that night I stayed over.

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