Page 101 of Just a Plot Twist
“Don’t let a good thing go, Claire,” she says. “There’s a timeline to some things in life, so focus on those things and the rest of it will work out.”
She’s talking about Benson and the kids. I swallow and nod. She must sense I’m not in the mood to talk because then she tells me some colorful stories about newborn life. The sheer quantity of diapers she’s gone through already? Unbelievable.
After we end the call, I dial Sophie and tell her the good news. She about breaks my eardrum her scream is so loud. With a deep breath, I call my grandparents. The ick of coming clean to them, of telling them about Benson and everything, was swept out the door with the news of Grandma’s condition. None of that matters.
It matters in the sense that I’m still not going to run for office. I’m still upset they’re supporting the Schillers, and my feelings for Benson are stronger than ever.
But the anger I felt towards them for their decisions and their approach with me these last few years has softened.
The call goes straight to voicemail, so I leave a message telling them the news.
Hopefully they remember how to listen to their voicemails. It’s hit or miss if they will or not. Again, things click in my brain. I can see Grandma’s struggles now, and I ache for her.
And then, Benson. I’ve saved the best for last.
His face will light up and he’ll croon with satisfaction and pride. And then I’ll ask him to meet with me as soon as possible. I have to tell him about my discussion with my grandparents.
I want this man in my life. I love him.
So I call him, but it also goes to voicemail. This time I hang up before leaving a message because I want to tell him in person.
Once again, I’m aching for him. I ached for him last night when I saw that I’d missed a call from him while I was at my grandparents’. I called him back, but he didn’t answer. I considered stopping by, but I didn’t. The uncertainty of exactly where we stood and the devastating news about Grandma propelled me home.
The force of my feelings pushes me to lean forward, my palms on my desk, my breaths labored as the truth trickles through me.
I’m thrilled I’m the city manager of Longdale. But I would give it up if I had to choose between it and Benson. I would hand it over to Rich with nary so much as a drop of jealousy if I could be with Benson.
Okay, there would be adropof jealousy. There would. I do not have the piety of a nun.
Wrapping my arms around my middle, I bend in half on my chair and soon, my cheek is resting on the cool surface of my composite desk.
This promotion doesn’t mean anything without Benson.
Chapter 32
Benson
Aunt Stella is aghast. “Cinnamon is gone?”
I nod, tasting ash. “They came and got her yesterday. I took the afternoon off so Dax and Indie could say goodbye.”
We’re having another family party. The Tates find every excuse in the book to party, and this time, it’s a final get together before Milo, Rose, and their son, Callum, finish their vacation and return to North Carolina.
Stella, Thomas’s older sister, shakes her head, her brow knitted together. She’s the one who took care of my brothers in the summers throughout their growing up years. “Oh no. How did they take it?”
“They want me to buy them out.” I suppress a little laugh at the terminology they used. How do they even know the phrase,buy them out? “I told them it doesn’t work like that.” I pause, remembering their palpable grief. “They’re sad. Indie even wrote a card.”
Stella gives a sad smile. “She did?”
I nod. “A card for Cinnamon. She made me promise I’d give it to Reggie’s grandson and ask them to read it to her every night.”
“And what did he say to that?”
“He was nice enough about it, but let’s be real, he probably won’t do it.” I manage a small smile.
I’ll never, in all my remaining days, forget my daughter’s face, her red-rimmed eyes, her pleading voice as she saidDaddy, it hurts too much to say goodbye.
“I know,” I told her and when we hugged, she finally melted into me, pressing her weight on my shoulders so I could help hold her up.
