Page 34 of Just a Plot Twist
I don’t have good manners around Benson Kilpack, do I? Guilt floods my middle.
“They’re very pretty,” I add.
He’s a great guy. If I allowed myself, I could really like him. But I have work to do. Not to mention last minute décor for the extravaganza and a haircut and making sure I look okay in the dress Grandma bought me.
It’s a very formal affair, and now I’m imagining Benson in a tux and I’m liking it? I probably suffered some sort of brain damage in my stumble on the trail on Saturday.
“Well, this whole thing with my shirt and my grandparents was just…awkward, so we can just forget about it all.” I take one last tug at the top of my shirt. Bringing it up almost to my chin.
His gaze goes to my hand as it clutches my shirt. “I don’t think you’re going to get that neckline to go any higher.” There’s a simmering in his eyes. A touch of wickedness in his smile.
Is he making fun of me? Or did he like it when I was brazenly parading around with my blouse half-opened?
I begin to protest, but he cuts me off.
“Good luck with the party on Saturday.”
“Extravaganza,” I correct.
He bites back a smile. “Extravaganza.” His gaze goes to the door. “It was nice seeing you.”
“Seeing me?” My brows go in the air. It’s clear he wasn’t meaning “seeing” me as in “seeing” my unbuttoned torso, but I can’t help it if my mind goes there. “Scratch that. I guess since you saved my life on a mountain trail, and sent me flowers, and put up with my in-office nakedness…”
The tinge of red in his cheeks and his soft, slow smile makes my gut flutter. He’s cute, with his mildly gravely voice and dark eyes. And he has good taste in picking out floral arrangements.
But he sent them to my office, which has already made people give me those eyes like,Ah, you’re dating someone, huh?
And then they’ll think it’s going to be the same old story, all over again. The city manager curse.
Not fair to assume this, but I guess it makes sense. Besides, Benson is Sophie’s brother-in-law. That’s too much intertwining connectedness, if you ask me. And statistically speaking, with anyone I go out with, it’s likelyonly a matter of time until we break up. I hate being negative about it, but it’s true.
And this is all not even mentioning the whole “My grandparents hate your family” thing.
So, yeah. He’s attractive and sweet.
But those things are null and void. They don’t matter because I cannot fall for this man.
Or anyone.
Chapter 11
Tuesday Texts
Benson:Hey, Claire. How’s your sore ankle?
Claire:What sore ankle?
Benson:Um. Were you faking it so you wouldn’t have to finish the hike?
Claire. No. But I’m channeling the power of positive thinking. If I pretend it was never hurt in the first place, I’ll be right as rain in no time.
Benson:I don’t think that’s how it works.
Claire:Why not? Our minds are very powerful. It’s all about choosing to believe.
Benson:If I choose to believe this dog won’t have another accident on my floor, will that do the trick?
Claire:Absolutely worth a try.
