Page 74 of Love, Rekindled

“Crazy?”

“Loyal.”

We had very different upbringings. His family barely spoke and really only saw each other on the holidays. Mine is obtrusive and constantly demanding time. Since I’ve moved down here, my mother has been up my cousin’s ass, but leaving me alone. She’s still pissed at me for leaving and also not repenting for my sins.

She drives me nuts.

“Well, they’re also hot-headed and quick to give you the silent treatment.”

“Not how I remember them,” he says with a hint of awe. “They were always the best.”

“They are...when they don’t suck and want to tell you how to live.”

He shoves a bite in his mouth and moans.

“Good?”

Ben nods. “Incredible.”

I beam at the compliment.

We eat, chatting a little about our families, and he laughs hysterically when I recount my mother’s horror at my being a heathen.

“It’s not funny!” I slap his arm playfully.

“It kind of is.”

“She was horrified.”

“I’m more surprised she really believed you were a virgin.” Ben stands, grabbing the plates, and walks over to the sink.

“Well, in her defense, she’d never known anything about Harold and I. So it’s not like she ever saw me with men. I’m sure she thought I wasn’t dating so I couldn’t have sex then. I already told you I didn’t really have dates, flowers, or anything to indicate there was someone special in my life. Then I was engaged and left because clearly I wasn’t worth marrying.”

Ben places the plates down a little too hard and the sound causes me to jump.

“Are you okay?” I ask.

He walks away from the sink and heads right to me. “No.”

“No? What did I say?”

His eyes are filled with anger and I don’t know what I did to upset him. “You said you weren’t worth marrying.”

“Well, it’s true.”

He moves closer and I take a step back. “The fuck it is!”

I don’t know why he’s so upset about this. It’s the truth. I wasn’t worth it to Harold. I wasn’t even worth a real explanation or the respect of doing it until twenty minutes after I should’ve already been saying my vows.

When I start to back away more he grips my arm, pulling me against him, and tilts my head up using his thumb.

Our eyes stay on each other’s as heartbeats pass between us. “You should’ve been given flowers all the time. He should’ve been running to the church to marry you. Not a single minute with you should’ve been taken for granted. There is nothing unworthy about you, babe. Not a single fucking thing. You should’ve been worshiped, adored, and revered.”

My heart pounds so hard in my chest. “And would you have done that?”

His mouth slowly moves toward me. “I would do everything for you.”

CHAPTER 13

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