Page 39 of It Happened Back Then
He takes my hand. “I only need a curvy, brown-haired girl.”
I roll my eyes at him. “You mean short and fat?”
“I mean fun sized, and I love every one of your curves. The ones I remember anyway.” His eyes twinkle with amusement.
I pull my hand away. “Why are you trying to provoke me right now?”
“You’re jealous and I think it’s cute.”
“I am not.” I cross my arms and huff.
He lets out a loud laugh and throws his arm around me, pulling me in close. “No one will ever take your place, Blossom.”
“Not even your wife?”
I feel his body stiffen at my words. It’s a moment before he begins to speak. “The connection we have; I’ve never found it anywhere else. You know that.” He plays with my fingers, intertwining his own with mine before quietly asking, “Do you remember what we promised that night?”
I look at him knowing exactly what he’s asking. “Yes, I remember our pact.”
He raises a brow. “Do we want to revisit it?”
“Why? You going to propose now? Don’t you think it’s a little too fast?”
“I don’t think ten years is fast,” he replies.
This is everything I want to hear, but I can’t stop myself from doubting. “You know what I’m saying. We never even gave ourselves a real chance?—”
“Youdidn’t give us a chance,” he interrupts.
“How do we just expect it to work now?”
“We let ourselves have the chance we deserve,” he pushes.
I throw my hands in the air. “But your girlfriend just moved to town.”
He laughs. “She’s not my girlfriend.” He sighs. “It wasn’t ever going to work, Blossom, because she’s not you.”
“So, what do we do now?” I ask.
He gives me a shy smile but he has a devilish look in his eyes. “Maybe we should make sure we still have a connection?”
“So this is a booty call, is that what you’re saying?”
He lets out a sharp laugh. “It absolutely isn’t, and you know it. Movies together, running errands, driving you around because you don’t want to deal with the snow in the winter, or the rain in the spring, babysitting Lily so your sister can go out with Drake, this is everything couples do. And being near you like this…it’s pushing my limits.” He pauses, his voice lower now. “When I have to jerk off twice before I come see you, that’s a problem.”
“Bennett! Don’t say that.” I laugh nervously, my face burning with embarrassment but happy to hear I affect him as much as he affects me.
He just shrugs, unapologetic. “I’m being honest. I’m not that sixteen-year-old boy anymore, Blossom. I’m a grown man with needs, and the only person I want, the only one who can fix this for me is you. And I don't just mean that in a physical sense. Being together, but not completely, it’s messing with my head. I missus.”
I exhale a shaky breath. “I don't know what to say.” There’s so much to say, but if I’m honest, I'm glad he’s taking the reins here. Maybe I’m not ready to spill all I want to. Maybe I just need him to say he wants me. And I need to say I want him too.
“You wanted us to be friends. You said a long-distance relationship wouldn’t work. So, I did what you asked of me. You needed me as just a friend for that time we were apart, and I supported that, even though my heart wasn’t in it. I couldn’t pretend you were just a friend when I’ve had you laid out in my bed. When I’ve seen the way you look with my kiss on your lips. When I’ve beeninside you,Blossom, so no, after ten years, I still can’t just be your friend when we were always meant to be more.”
My body tingles hearing his words, and all I can do is stare at him. His face is calm and collected but he’s breathing heavy, so I know the stoic outer appearance is masking what's really happening inside.
“So what do we do about it?”
“I’d like to fuck my future wife, but that depends on you.”
