Page 46 of The Rules We Broke
She wasn’t a bombshell like Benjamin’s first wife—more like a freshly unwrapped Hallmark ornament, just absolutely lovely. Strawberry-blonde pixie cut. Bright green eyes, like Caroline’s. And young. Much younger than Benjamin.
“Hi, I’m Kendra Jackson, Caroline’s mom.”
“It’s so nice to meet you.” I smiled, genuinely.
Benjamin turned around, too.
I’d never officially met him. I was the enemy—the Eaton girl. He’d been summoned, back then, to help talk Brady out of loving me. I’d always assumed he was there that Christmas when it all fell apart.
Maybe that was why he looked nervous.
But then he held out his hand. “Ellie, I’m Benjamin. I don’t think we’ve ever been properly introduced. It’s very nice to meet you.”
I glanced at Brady—not sure why. Maybe to see if this was a setup, a joke. But Brady just smiled, as if to say,It’s okay.
I looked back at Benjamin. He seemed sincere. The room felt suddenly quiet, like it was holding its breath.
I reached for his hand cautiously. “It’s nice to meet you, too.”
He exhaled—almost visibly. Relieved.
How odd.
Brady leaned in, voice low. “I told you things have changed.”
I couldn’t help myself—I leaned in, too. “I saw your parents’ faces this morning. Doesn’t look like much has changed.”
Before I could pull back, he turned toward me. We were inches apart. And heaven help me, he lookedgood.
I straightened fast. He tugged playfully at my hair and flashed that smile I used to fall for like it was gravity.
Class started just in time—before I did something I’d spend the next decade regretting.
The man smelled, looked, and acted too good for my own good.
When the class ended, Kendra turned to me with a smile. “We’d love to have you over for dinner.”
I hesitated. Not out of dislike—but self-preservation. Dinner with the Jacksons—even just a subset—felt like inviting ghosts and trouble to supper.
She must’ve caught my hesitation. Caught the reason for it, too.
Her smile didn’t falter. “Just us,” she said. “Benjamin, Caroline, and me. No surprises.”
That helped. A little.
“Um . . . okay.”
She and Benjamin both gave me warm smiles. Brady looked mildly offended that he hadn’t been invited. Dave feigned his own disappointment.
Kendra gave them boththe look—and wow, was she good at it. Tiny as she was, I wouldn’t want to get on her bad side. I had the distinct feeling she could take down a full-sized man with one well-aimed glare.
“We’ll see you at six,” she said, handing me a slip of paper with their address.
Brady and Dave offered to escort me to my car. I didn’t answer.
They came anyway.
Dave walked a little too close. “Just so you know,” he said, voice low, “I wanted to ask you to prom. But bonehead over there told me he’d kill me if I did.”
