Page 78 of Until the Ink Dries

“Just look at you,” Shirah said, shaking her head with a laugh. “Jordan and I called this. When you two get married and have your first baby, you have to name it after us. I’m thinking Jorah. No! Joriah. Yes, Joriah. That has a nice flow and perfectly mixes our names.”

I stared at her blankly. “Shirah, go to hell.”

She fell out laughing. “So, that’s not a good name for my future niece or nephew slash goddaughter or godson?”

“I’m not listening!” I sang, going into my closet for hangers.

“You aren’t responding, but you’re listening. I’d bet my left titty that this time next year, you and Ben will be head over heels in love and he’s gonna have you barefoot and pregnant.”

I sighed as I walked out of the closet. “Shirah, please stop invading my womb. If I’m pregnant this time next year, you will be, too, because you can’t stay off Jordan’s dick.”

Shirah’s shoulders shook with glee. “The dick is good, sis. You know how they say absence makes the heart grow fonder? All the fondness must have gone straight to my pussy because she can sniff that man out. As soon as he touches down in the city, she starts acting up.”

“That’s exactly why you’re gonna be pregnant before me. I’m calling twins, that way Joriah and Jorah can be put to use.”

She threw a pillow at my head. “I’m not getting pregnant anytime soon, I can promise you that.” She reached out and touched my stomach. “You’d be totally adorable with a baby bump. I can see you waddling around. Benny is gonna do the most and Charlie is gonna be the best big sister?—”

I slapped her hand away. “I’m about to put you out.”

She laughed. “You don’t have to put me out. I’m about to go. Jordan and I have a movie date later.”

“He’s in town?”

She shook her head as she rolled off the bed. “No, it’s a virtual date. Well, not a date. We’re just watching a movie together. He said he’s had a long day and he just wants to wind down and relax.”

I crossed my arms and shook my head. She could say what she wanted, but if anybody was in love, it was her. It didn’t matter how she tried to play it off, I knew my friend and I knew when she was really feeling someone. Honestly, I wanted them to work out this time. She’d wasted so much time on her ex. Jordan was a good guy and if they became serious, I knew he would do right by her.

“You two have fun,” I said as she came to hug me.

“We will. Love you!”

“Love you back.”

She left the room, leaving me with this mountain of clothes. I guess I had something to pass the time until I left to see Benny.

* * *

When I pulled up to Benjamin’s parents’ house, he was already sitting outside on the front steps. As I put my dad’s truck in park, he stood and walked over to it. Pulling the door open, he extended his hand to help me out. Once on my feet, he pulled me into his arms and I instantly felt a warmth spread through my body. It was the same feeling I’d been getting for a while now. I was just so comfortable with him.

Pulling back slightly, I tilted my head up for a kiss. When his lips captured mine, I melted.

“I missed you,” he said, resting his forehead against mine.

“I missed you, too.”

He kissed me once more before pulling me around to the back of the truck. After putting the tailgate down, he lifted me to sit on it before making himself comfortable between my legs.

“How was your day?” I asked, cupping his face.

“It was okay for a while. Charlie was okay until I picked her up from school. We had to stop by the shop for a second and she just… she froze when we got out of the car. She just kept looking at the door leading to the apartment.”

He paused for a moment, sadness entering his eyes.

“I wish I could erase that shit for her, you know?”

I nodded. “I know, baby,” I said, caressing his cheeks with the pads of my thumbs. “I pray for both of you every night. She’ll have good days and bad days, but she’ll get back to herself. You just keep doing what you’re doing and be there for her. That’s all you can do. Don’t keep beating yourself up about this, Benny.”

“That’s easier said than done.” He sighed heavily as he wrapped his arms around me. “It’s good to see you, though, love. You really give me peace, Willow.”

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