Page 67 of A World Without You
He waits a moment before letting out a long and heavy breath. “Fine. Let’s say you’re not crazy. That you can see the future in your dreams through this parallel universe or whatever. And you’re telling me you’re going to use that superpower to get back your ex-boyfriend?”
“Yes,” I answer like that’s the only obvious answer.
“Come on, Liv. Be at least a little interesting.”
“Love is interesting! Second chancesareinteresting! Not to mention beautiful, and I’m being handed one, so I’m going to get him back.” I smile, proud of myself, when I know I should at least be mildly mortified.
“And save Christmas?” he adds, tone dripping with sarcasm.
“Har, har. You think you’re so funny.”
“I am funny. Andyou...are crazy.” He leans the small of his back against the counter behind him and sips his coffee. “But I’m down, kid. Let’s get Colin back.”
“Let’s.” I grin and raise my coffee to his. “To getting him back!”
And because he can’t help himself, he adds, “And saving Christmas!”
We sip our coffee. Then Bennett just looks at me, waiting.
“What?” I ask.
“What’s the plan, and why do you need me?”
“Oh! Right. Well, tonight is the ice-skating party, and I need you to go with me.”
His face twists. “I’m not going.”
“Why not?”
“Because you woke me up at four a.m., and I’ll be too tired,” he reasons, staring at me with an expression that is both bored and accusing.
I ignore it. “But ice skating is fun.”
His eyes pan around the room. “So go.”
“I can’t. I’m just a temp and not on Colin’s marketing team.”
He rolls his eyes. “I don’t do those corporate team building get-togethers...” I glare at him, breathing deep through flared nostrils, and he clarifies. “I work in finance. We are introverts dealing with numbers, not socializing and making sure the work culture is up to par.”
“Wrong. You are also incredibly artistic” —I gesture to the painting above the fireplace— “and a lot of fun.”
He scowls down at me. “Don’t use my therapeutic art to get me on board with your ridiculous scheme.”
I groan, letting my forehead fall to the cold countertop. “Please.”
He sighs. “How do you know Colin’s even going?”
I poke my head up. “Because he loves to ice skate. He turns into a kid in a candy store when he’s on the ice.”
Bennett frowns at me. “This is dumb.”
“This is going to work!” I exclaim far too loudly for 5:30 a.m.
He eyes me a moment, eyes drifting over my face. I can’t tell if he finds me adorable or insane. Probably both. I smile at him and his lips twitch like he’s going to smile but he doesn’t. “Fine. What else?”
“Oh!” I slap my hands on the counter. “I’m out of touch with the whole dating scene and how things go—”
“Does it even matter? You dated him for an eternity.” Bennett waves his coffee in the air.
