Page 216 of His White Moonlight
I knew what she was smelling.Bennett’s lust and my interest.And I knew why she wasn’t talking, too.However, what happened this weekend helped repair some of the trust I’d lost in my family due to past mistakes.
“Let’s head out on our shopping day so you can ask me all the questions you want,” I said.
She quickly agreed and held my good arm on the way out.
Since we were already downtown, we stopped at a place for coffee and a chat while we waited for the stores to open.It took some coaxing and reassurances that I wouldn’t get mad for Mom to ask what was on her mind.
“Did you change your mind about Bennett?I could smell him on you.Lust and affection.Not just his but yours too.”
“No, I didn’t change my mind.He changed his.He said I can go to Coalwell and he won’t force me to live with him.He still plans to live in the apartment by himself, in case I need him.”
Mom and Grandma exchanged glances.
“And you’re okay with that?”Grandma asked.
“He said he wouldn’t interfere with my life.That’s all I ever wanted.I didn’t want to distance myself from any of you, but if that’s the only way to get my freedom, then I would.I think he understands that now.”
Mom looked unsure.
“I know.I wasn’t sure he meant it, either.
“Talking to whoever I want without fear of consequences is a freedom I’ve never had.But this morning, I had a conversation with a man in the lobby without Bennett freaking out.That’s never happened before.
“I know he’s possessive and protective and wants to hold me close, but he knows doing that will break any chance he has of ever getting me to agree to him.I’ve already warned him that attraction doesn’t mean affection.
“If he really wants to win me over, he needs my affection.And he’ll never get that when I’m fighting to win every scrap of freedom everyone else is inherently allowed.”
Grandma nodded.“Loving a dictator would be impossible.”
“Exactly,” I said.“And by not interrupting my conversation with a person of the opposite sex this morning, he proved to me that he isn’t interested in being a dictator anymore.”
Mom still looked nervous.
“Just say it, Mom,” I said.
“I’m worried it's not going to last.That this is just his knee-jerk reaction to you being hurt this weekend.”
I considered what she said, then shook my head.“His change isn’t because of my stitches but what happened after.He shifted when we kissed and almost hurt me.I think it scared him to realize that his intensity is what’s driving me away.He’s giving us the space we both need.”
Mom sighed, and Grandma reached out to pat her hand.
“Wrenly’s wiser than she should be.It helps balance out Bennett’s impulsivity when it comes to her.”
Grandma winked at me, and I hid my grin behind a sip of my coffee.
The last thing I was giving Bennett was balance.
* * *
We returned closeto the end of the workday.Grandma carried the bags to Bennett’s office suite despite my protest that I could one-arm them.
“I’m old, not dead.I can still carry my granddaughter’s bags.What’s in this one?Bricks?”
I shook my head at her as she continued to stride through the door with the energy of a woman half her age.
Miranda’s gaze lit with anticipation when she saw the bags.
“You bought stuff?”she asked.“It better not be jean shorts.Show me.”
