Page 44 of It Happened Back Then
CHAPTER 19 - BLOSSOM
Iwent through the motions of my day, trying hard to push everything out of my mind.
I stayed busy at the shop, making small talk with customers, smiling when I needed to, but it all felt hollow. And when Bennett texted to say he was running late at the restaurant and would just see me tomorrow instead, my stomach sank. That’s when the doubts crept in. I shouldn’t have checked social media, but I did, scrolling mindlessly, searching for something I didn’t want to find.
Savannah’s name popped up like a thorn commenting on old photos of him, emoji hearts and inside jokes that made my skin prickle. He hadn’t replied, at least not publicly, but that didn’t matter. It was the fact that she still felt entitled to him, like she had a place here, in this town.Our town.
And what bothered me more was that he hadn’t shut it down. If he had, why was she still hovering? Why did it feel like she was waiting for him to open the door again?
Not having any immediate answers, I did my best to try to drown out the noise with work. Thankfully, the town’sFarmers Market had the shop packed, and I kept my head down, pushing through task-after-task just to stop thinking.
But the second I walked through my front door, the weight returned. I showered, hoping the hot water would wash off the tension, and as I stepped out, towel around my body, my phone lit up. A new text. And for one breathless second, I hoped it was him. I needed it to be him.
Bennett: Be there in ten.
My heart flutters, and I feel excited and nervous all at once. Then annoyance takes over. I roll my eyes and don’t reply back. I know this is not the mature thing to do, and we need to talk, but the anger I've been pushing away, the nerves and the anxiety that I’ve stifled since seeing her are rising to the top and blinding me right now.
Bennet and I are sleeping together. Why is she still here?
True to his word, ten minutes later, Bennett is walking through my door. “Hi, Peach.”
I throw my hand up to acknowledge him but continue watching television, taking sips of my wine.
He stands in front of me, blocking my view, and leans down to kiss me. I don’t kiss him back and he frowns. “What happened?”
I take another big sip, swallowing hard before looking up at him. “Your girlfriend came to the store yesterday.”
He collapses onto the couch next to me. “That’s weird. Last I knew my girlfriendownsthat store.”
“Bennett.”
“Blossom,” he replies with the same exasperation.
“Why is she still here?”
“I don't know. I haven’t spoken to her.”
I stare at him. He doesn’t seem upset or like he’s trying to hide anything.
Actually, he looks his normal tired, after his long dinner shift. But I have to know if leaving is an option for him. “She’s playing house, Bennett. Talking like you’re still hers. She said she’s here to support you and shouldn’t have let you come back here alone. What does that even mean, Bennett?”
He scrubs his face with his hand. “I really don’t know, Bloss. I promise you I haven’t spoken to her. I don’t know what her angle is. Maybe something is going on at home for her and she just needed to be with a friend.”
I scoff. “She’s not looking at you for a friend. She mentioned her father has connections for you in France.”
I watch as he closes his eyes and breathes deep. “I’m not going to France.”
“But you want to.”
He shakes his head. “No, I really don’t. It was something her father and I spoke about years ago, but I never paid it any attention.”
I’m quiet, letting it all sink in. “That’s really a big opportunity for you, Bennett. If it’s something that's possible, you should do it.”
His head rolls to the side watching me. “Are you pushing me away again?”
I take a breath, trying to control my emotions. Of course I don’t want him to leave, but just like when we were eighteen, I don't want to hold him back from something either. “Does your dad know about France?”
He frowns, confusion on his face as he responds, “No, I never mentioned it. And what difference would it make?”
