Page 31 of It Happened Back Then
“Do you think it’d be a good thing or a bad thing now?” I ask.
He moves closer to me again, taking a look into the pot before looking back at me. “Having a crush on you? Guess it would depend on the day.”
“And tonight?”
He lets out a breath. “Tonight feels like a trap.”
I want to ask if it’s a good or bad trap, but I don’t. We’ve been here before and I know how it ends. His dad chasing me away and heartbreak on my end. We’re older though. He doesn't live under dad’s rule anymore. The pull between us makes itself known again.
“A trap?” I glance around the room. “I don’t see any cages.” I laugh trying to break the tension.
“No cages necessary. You wouldn’t want to get away. Chasing you would be fun, though.” He winks then gives me a quick swat on my ass. Like the same old us we always were.
“You couldn’t catch me if you tried.” I scoff and go back to stirring the sauce.
He’s quiet for a long moment, but I don’t miss it when he says, “If I tried, it would end differently this time.”
And in my thoughts, I think,or maybe it ends the same, but we just forget how much it hurt last time.
CHAPTER 13 - BENNETT
“Thanks for dinner mom. Somehow it always tastes better when someone else cooks it.”
She laughs, “that’s why everyone flocks to The Luxury on nights you work.”
Mom called and asked me over for dinner and I told her only if she’s cooking. She was, so I was there. Plus, Lief and I had made plans to go out, so I figured I’d fuel up before heading to the bar. I knew we’d end up staying out late, so a home-cooked meal felt like the perfect pregame.
“Good point.” I laugh before checking my watch. “I’m heading to the bar with Lief in a couple minutes.”
“That Nilsson boy?” my dad grumbles from his chair, not looking at me.
I laugh. “Yes, that Nilsson boy. Come on, like they haven’t been our neighbors all our life.”
Dad shrugs and continues to watch the television. “Just surprised. I thought he moved.”
“He moved to his own home.” I speak slowly. “Dad, what are you talking about? You know they all still live here. They run Dress Me Up, just like their dad did.Your friend. Hissister Blossom is my best friend? Why are you acting weird?”
My mom chuckles and Dad shakes his head grumbling out, “Can’t I ask a question?“
“Are you losing it in your old age honey?”
Dad rolls his eyes. “Don't drink and drive. If you need a ride, call.”
“I’ll catch a ride with Lief. I’m probably staying at Blossom’s anyway tonight.”
Dad scoffs and it stops me in my tracks. “What's that noise for?”
“Nothing.”
“Something.”
He puts down the remote and looks at me. “When are you going to find a nice girl, Bennett?”
“A nice girl?”
“You won’t meet anyone if you’re always with Blossom. She won’t let anyone get to you.”
“Oh Henry–”
