Page 38 of His White Moonlight
“What are you two up to?”
“Nothing you’d care to hear about.”
“You’re probably right.”
“Goodbye, sweet girl.”
“Bye, Mom.”
I hung up and washed off the counter.By the time I finished, Bennett was back.He’d showered and changed into a pair of well-worn jeans paired with a white T-shirt and an off-white button-up.I had to admit that with his dark hair and eyes, it looked pretty good on him.
“If you want less female attention, you might want to change.The shirt you’re wearing accentuates your shoulders and chest.”
He stared at me.I stared back.It felt like he was waiting for me to connect the dots on something, but I had no idea what.
He looked away first, and I noted his jaw muscles starting to twitch.Some games and sweets would hopefully help improve his mood.
The drive into the city center was quiet since I was plotting how to sweet-talk him into the arcade if the desserts failed.But he surprised me by parking near the arcade instead of the dessert place.
When he opened the door for me, I looked from him to the arcade hopefully.
“Are you sure you want to go in there?”he asked.
I smiled brightly, knowing then that he’d either heard what I’d said to Mom or she’d messaged him.Either way, he wasn’t going to fight it.
“More than I want to draw my next breath.Come on.Let’s go have some fun.”
The arcade was filled with flashing lights, loud music, chaotic game sounds, and people.So many people.And I loved it.
However, no matter how hard I tried to pull Bennett in, he didn’t know the meaning of the word fun.He scowled at the games…at the people playing them…at anyone who even looked in our direction.
After twenty minutes, I gave up.
“Let’s go get something to eat.”
He followed me out of the arcade like a six-inch string attached us.
Mom had been right to question the wisdom of the outing.Since Bennett was relatively okay at work—except for when his female coworkers were trying extra hard to gain his attention—I’d thought he’d be fine out in public.However, he’d looked ready to tackle everyone in the arcade and on the sidewalk.
How did he manage to go to work every day?
I used my phone to navigate to the dessert place and then tried to send him to find a table while I waited in line to order.He wouldn’t budge from my side.
“Seriously, Bennett, you’re being ridiculous, and I’m starting to regret leaving the house with you.Please just find a table for us.Or, better yet, you order, and I’ll find a table.”
“We’ll get it to-go and eat at the park,” he said.
If he meant the one by Wulf Enterprises, there was no point.If we had to drive to that, we might as well drive home.I didn’t say that, though.I just stood in line and placed my order.He declined to add anything for himself.
Yep.Definitely regretting it.
I waited until we were outside to say, “Let’s just head home.”
He didn’t say anything on the way back to the car or on the long drive home, which was just fine by me.I pulled out my phone and sent a message to Mom.
Me: I’m happy to report that there were no rage-fueled outbursts, so public hugging was successfully avoided.
Then I sent one to my group chat.
