Page 18 of Boss Me

“No, Ben, I’ll take care of the dishes.” Mom half-stood.

I waved her down. “I need to stretch. Why don’t you tell David about the day last year the whole firm volunteered at the soup kitchen? You know, David, it’s only three miles from here. Hunger is a real problem in our communities.”

Not that he’d ever experienced it. Cooper, on the other hand, gave me that vibe. He didn’t seem to feel the signals from his stomach. Maybe it was his fitness regimen that had done it to him, but that was another sign of a troubled past—trying to exert control over one’s body. It was why I brought him all those smoothies and sweetened them with blueberries.

No, the blueberries weren’t just because they reminded me of his eyes.

“I like that passion, that fire,” David said, ripping me from my musings on Cooper Fallon.

“Thanks,” I said, smiling. How I wished I could get passionate about David. But my stubborn heart wanted only one man. One I couldn’t have.

In the kitchen, I set the stack of plates next to the sink and loaded the ones Dad rinsed into the dishwasher.

Dad leaned against the sink. “She’s trying to help, you know.”

I sighed. “I know. And he’s perfectly nice, but…”

“But?”

“I’m not ready.”

He peered at me from under his gray eyebrows. “It’s been months since you broke up with that—that—”

“Trey, Dad. His name is Trey.”

“He’s an ass.” He whispered it. “Not good enough for you.”

“No.” I smiled. I couldn’t help it around my protective dad. “He wasn’t right for me. But that’s my whole dating history: guys who didn’t think I was good enough for them. And guys like that don’t deserve me. That’s why I’m taking a break.” I shut the dishwasher.

“But what if—”

“No.” I folded my arms. “Not even if…if Jonathan Groff showed up on my doorstep and begged to take me out for coffee. I’m focusing on school. And my job. I’ll make you proud. I promise.”

“Benny, you know we’re proud of you, regardless. You’ve pulled yourself up, made something of your life.” He dried his hands and set one on my shoulder. “But you don’t have to do it alone. I think you’d be happier with someone at your side. Someone deserving.” He squeezed my shoulder.

I patted his hand and blinked back the tears burning in my eyes. “I’m not alone. I have you guys. And Mimi. I don’t need anyone else. I’m fine on my own.”

“You don’t have to prove anything to us. In fact, we’d be happy to help—”

I held up a hand. “No, Dad. I’m paying my own way. Synergy’s paying my tuition now, and I’m saving up for my own place.”

“Benny—”

I shook my head. We’d had this argument too many times.

“Still,” he said, “life is more fun with a special someone in your life.”

I smiled. “Maybe it is. You and Mom should know. I just haven’t found that special someone yet.”

“So it’s a no for David?” One corner of his mouth lifted.

“Today, it’s a no.”

“Your poor mother. She’s been working on this for weeks.”

“I’m sure he’ll find a lovely guy.”

“And someday”—he speared me with his gaze—“so will you.”

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