Page 82 of Almost Ours
“Do I?” I teased, holding the half just out of reach until he gave me his best pleading eyes. With a sigh, I handed it over.
“Also,” Benny said, leaning against the counter. “You ready for the hockey Christmas party this weekend?”
I froze mid-bite. “I guess so? It’s just a get-together for the parents isn’t it?”
His brow arched. “Oh, honey, aget-together? The community center is decked out like a Hallmark movie, parents dressed to the nines, no kids, good food, plenty of drinks, dancing… and yours truly providing the desserts. Best night of the year.”
“That sounds…” I trailed off, trying to picture myself there without sticking out like a sore thumb. “... fancy.”
“It is,” he said, giving me a slow, deliberate once-over. “You got something to wear?”
I huffed a laugh. “Not unless we’re redefining ‘fancy’ as jeans and a sweater.”
Benny’s eyes widened like I’d just told him I preferred store-bought cookies. “Absolutely not. Tomorrow, we’re going shopping. You’re walking in there in something gorgeous.”
I scoffed. “You’re setting the bar a little high.”
“Not for you.” He said it like it was a fact, not flattery.
Connor hopped off his stool. “I’m getting more whipped cream,” he announced, disappearing through the doors.
Benny’s eyes followed him until he was out of earshot. Then, with all the subtlety of a marching band, he said, “Plus, Ryan will be there, won’t he?”
I gave him a flat look. “Probably, Benny. He is the hockey coach after all.”
He leaned over the counter, smirking. “Mmhmm. And I’m sure he would love to see you all dressed up.”
“It’s not like that between us,” I said quickly.
Benny made a sound halfway between a gasp and a scoff, pressing a hand to his chest in mock offence. “Right. And I don’t own an espresso machine in every shade of the rainbow. Please.”
I rolled my eyes. “It’s not,” I said again, softer this time. “It can’t be.”
I opened my mouth, ready to tell him about Reid, about the mess I’d been dragging around for years–but Benny held up a hand.
“You don’t need to explain,” he said firmly.
I blinked, startled. “What?”
His expression softened, but there was no mistaking the certainty in his voice. “I know, Harper. Not all the details. But enough. I had a feeling the first time you and Connor walked into this place. And since then? Let’s just say I notice things. We seeeach other nearly every day–you think I wouldn’t pick up on the way you flinch sometimes, or the way you always sit facing the door?”
Heat rose to my cheeks, shame curling in my stomach. “You… knew?”
“I didn’t need you to tell me,” he said simply. Then his mouth quirked into a faint, bittersweet smile. “Why do you think I pushed Winterfest so hard? I wanted you to see that there are good things worth holding on to. Good people. Especially in this town.”
I stared at him, unable to find the right words.
Benny reached across the counter, covering my hand with his. His grip was steadying, grounding. “We take care of our own here in Brookhaven. And whether you realize it or not, you and Connor are ours now. You’re stronger than you know, Harper. Stronger than what you’ve been through.”
I tried for a laugh, but it came out brittle. “Even if I did like Ryan like that, I’ve got way too much baggage. Someone like him couldn’t possibly be interested in someone like me.”
Benny’s entire posture snapped upright. “Absolutely not. I willnotallow that sentence to leave your lips again.” He gestured dramatically, as if shoving the words right back into my mouth. “Harper, you are smart, strong, gorgeous, and one of the kindest souls I’ve ever met. You’ve survived hell and still manage to bake cookies without poisoning anyone–that’s practically a superpower. If Ryan, or anyone else for that matter, can’t see how incredible you are, that’s their loss. Not yours.”
Heat rushed to my face, half from embarrassment, half from the way his words hit somewhere deep.
Just then, Connor padded back in, whipped cream in hand. Benny’s expression shifted instantly, morphing back into his usual smirk. As Connor climbed onto the stool, Benny leaned toward me and murmured just loud enough for me to hear, “AndHarper… I’ve seen the way Ryan looks at you. He’s definitely not seeing someone who’s broken.”
I stared down at the recipe sheet, pretending to double-check my notes, biting back a smile.
