Page 42 of Resisting Fate
Her eyes widened. “Oh, that’s not necessary.”
He set his coffee on the desk. “I know it’s not necessary, but they seem important to you.”
“They’re my family,” she said softly.
“And they sound like fun.”
She brightened. “They are, but no.”
“Come on, we’re friends, aren’t we? What’s the big deal?”
Her expression closed. “The big deal is my sister will get the wrong idea. She’ll think you and I are serious when we’re not. I’ve never introduced her to any men I meet.”
He looked down his nose at her, playing it up. “You’re such a scaredy-cat.”
“I am not.”
“You act so tough—”
“I am tough,” she snapped.
“But you won’t even hang out with me,” he said smoothly.
They had a staredown and he waited her out.
She swallowed visibly. “You really want to be my friend?”
“I really want to be your friend.”For now.
“Do you think it’s possible?”
“Why not?” he asked, sounding completely casual about the whole thing despite being on edge. Would Missy let him in? This was the only way it could happen. Friends, hanging out, potential for more an excruciating time later.
Her cheeks flushed bright pink and she smoothed her hair back.
Was she remembering their hookup? He kept his mouth shut. That was not workplace appropriate. He wouldn’t even make a move outside the office either, not while she was working for him.
She looked at him, her eyes soft. “I—”
Logan barged in. “Hey, guys. Missy, I found those old reports.”
Ben left quietly, leaving them to it. He’d put it out there. It was up to Missy to meet him halfway.
~ ~ ~
The moment Missy had her office to herself again, she slipped out to the bathroom and splashed cold water on her face. Ben was getting under her skin, bringing her favorite coffee every afternoon, being so friendly. She was well aware most guys didn’t bother with questions about her, preferring to talk about themselves. If he’d just wanted sex, she figured he wouldn’t bother with all the conversation, he’d just make a move. Not at the office, of course, they’d agreed to keep it professional, but surely he wouldn’t hesitate to walk her to her car after work and proposition her, or even text her for a late night booty call.
She was so confused. She’d thought she understood men and what they wanted from her. No man had ever wanted to be friends with her. She still wasn’t sure if she should take his offer to hang out seriously or if he was playing some kind of game.
She grabbed a paper towel and dabbed her face dry, reason returning to her. She didn’t have to figure out Ben’s reasons, she just needed to be clear on what she wanted.
She blew out a breath. The problem was, she wasn’t so sure anymore.
After work, she was relieved to have plans with Sabrina and Lexi so she could stop thinking about Ben. They were making chocolate cupcakes for after their Happy Endings Book Club meeting in anticipation of the good news about Charlotte and Ty’s baby. Charlotte had asked them from the very beginning to stay positive, and this was their way of honoring her request. The plan was: book club meeting at Something’s Brewing Café, then over to Garner’s Sports Bar & Grill across the street for their usual after-book club drinks, where they’d wait for baby news and celebrate with champagne and cupcakes.
They were a little late to book club because it took time for the cupcakes to cool. Then she and Lexi had formed a chocolate icing assembly line while Sabrina decorated with her pastry bag of vanilla icing, writing in perfect script “baby” and “love,” alternating, across the tops.
“No news yet,” Hailey, leader of their book club, announced the moment they walked through the door of Something’s Brewing Café.
