Page 32 of Ruined Promises

Ben Harrington is in my apartment, on my couch, drinking my water.

The scary part of this is that he looks like he belongs here. To say I was shocked to see him on the other side of the door moments ago would be an understatement.

As much as I love having him here, I’m sure the part of us that isn’t just Ben and Lexi but is boss and employee is not going to mesh well when I open my mouth again. Ben drapes his arm along the back of the couch and turns his body to face me, giving me his undivided attention.

“I’m actually not sick today.” I love my job and love being a workaholic, but today I needed a break. I’m not sure if it was seeing Ben last nighton a dateor today marking the first anniversary I moved in here. Yep, it’s already been a year since walking in on Dominic in an intimate position with someone other than me. But I just needed a day to me, so I wasted a sick day and planned to spend it curled up on the couch binging episodes ofGossip Girl. That worked out perfectly—that is until Ben showed up.

“You’re not sick?” Ben questions, a crease forming on his forehead while he waits for me to continue.

I shake my head and run my fingers through my hair, tossing it over my shoulder. “No, I just needed a day. You know, a moment to collect my thoughts.” I swallow deeply, waiting for his response. Is he going to force me to go back to work now that he knows I lied? Is he going to leave?

“Oh, I see.”

“Come on, Ben. You telling me you’ve never played hooky before?” I quirk an eyebrow at him.

He runs his palm along his stubbled jawline. “Well, since you confessed to me, I guess I can confess something to you. I can’t say that I have ever played hooky before.”

Wishing I hadn’t brought my drink to my lips while he spoke, I sputter water back into the glass and wipe the excess now dripping down my lips. “As in ever? Not even in college?” I am left speechless. I mean, I’m sure not most people are like Hadley, who believed that each month required a personal day in college to collect your thoughts and recharge, but I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who has not played hooky,ever.

“What?” He stares back at me.

I shake off the daze and set my drink on the coffee table. “No, nothing. I’m just shocked.” And I mean that. I’m stunned at his confession or that he felt the need to confess that at all.

“Well, my college experience was a little different than other people.”

“What do you mean?” Ben’s features harden, and I wonder if I pushed too far asking that. While over the past few months, we have learned more about each other, it’s been things that are normal for coworkers to know, such as which salad dressing we prefer or how we take our coffee. However, those are all things about our present, not looking into our past.

I’m just about to change the subject when Ben begins to talk. “When I was in my junior year of college, my parents died in a plane crash.”

I gasp, not expecting that. I’m not sure what I expected him to say, maybe that he overstayed his welcome or something about our moment in the copy room, but not that.

“I am so sorry.” I reach out and place my hand on top of his.

Sadness clouds his features, and unshed tears fill his eyes, causing my heart to break into a million pieces.

“We don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.” My voice is unsteady, and I realize that I am on the verge of tears as well.

He waves me off. “No, it’s fine, it was a long time ago.” But I can see right through the facade. It’s clearly not. “My younger brother was only ten when they died. There was no way I would let him go into the system, so I became his guardian. Balancing school and Asher was… well, rather difficult, but I managed.”

I’m at a loss for words for how amazing and strong this man is. I couldn’t even imagine being responsible for someone else right now, let alone during collegeandstill managing to graduate on time. A calming silence comes between us, my hand still on top of his.

The silence breaks when Ben’s stomach rumbles, and we both laugh. “Well, I better get going.” Ben pushes up on his knees to stand, and I follow.

“I mean, this nice guy brought me a large container of soup, if you wanted to stay.” As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I regret them. Spending time together like this is definitely pushing past the boundaries of a professional relationship.

Ben checks his phone for a moment before turning back to me. “That sounds nice. Thank you.” I try to steady my features to hide my mix of shock, excitement, and nerves. “Can I help you with it?”

I nod, and Ben follows me into the kitchen. He takes a seat at the island while I pull the container of soup out of the fridge.

* * *

“That was delicious, thank you.” Ben pushes his empty soup bowl forward just as I was finishing my lunch as well.

“You’re welcome. I slaved over a hot stove all day making it,” I joke, and Ben’s laughter fills the small space.” He goes to take my bowl, and I wave him off. “I’ve got this.” It’s not that I mind him finding his way around my house, but I am kind of particular with how I load things in the dishwasher. Hadley makes fun of my OCD.

He gives me a warm smile. “I should probably let Taylor know that I won’t be back in today.” Is he not going back to work? I guess a bit of my bad influence rubbed off on him.

I dramatically gasp in a joking manner, clutching my chest as I finish loading our dishes in the dishwasher. “Oh my God, is Ben Harrington playing hooky for the first time in his life?” Ben rolls his eyes but with a smile across his lips. Pretending I’m giving a speech at the Oscars, I place my hand over my heart and wipe away fake tears. “I feel so honored to be an accomplice in this crime.”

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