Page 87 of Feels Like Love
“Buddy, we have dessert at home.”
“Please?”
“River,” I said, my tone clipped. “It’s time to go.”
Bennett whispered something to River, and he grinned. “Oh, right. Totally forgot about the pavlova.”
“You made pavlova?” Arlo’s smile was approving.
I nodded, though the memory of that night had my skin heating and my heart racing. Bennett’s hands digging into my hips as I ground against him. His scruff teasing my breasts as his mouth set to work. His…
“Hey,” Arlo said, placing his hand on my forearm. “You okay? You’re looking a bit peaky.”
“What?” I shook my head as if to clear it. “Yeah. Yeah. I’m good.”
When I glanced at Bennett, he was smirking as if he knew exactly what I’d been thinking. “Nice to meet you, Arlo. Come on, River. Let’s go to the car and give your mom a minute.”
River stood, giving Fern another pat on the head. “Bye, girl. Bye, Arlo.” River waved as he skipped down the path with Bennett.
I glanced over at Arlo and found him smiling after River. “He’s a cute kid.”
Wow. If there’d been any lingering doubts in my mind about Arlo, he’d just dispelled them. He was everything I’d told Bennett I wanted in a partner. Arlo was nice. He treated me with respect. He wanted kids. But more than anything, he’d impressed me with the way he’d interacted with River.
“Thanks,” I said.
“When can I see you again?”
“I thought we had plans for next weekend?”
He leaned in to whisper in my ear. “Yeah, but that feels like a long time from now.”
I smiled and told myself it was a good thing. This was what I wanted, right?Hewas everything I wanted. Yet my heart wasn’t convinced.
“Maybe we can figure out something sooner.” Noncommittal. Vague.
Great. I was turning into any guy I’d ever dated.
“Well, I’d love to see you. Even for coffee.”
“Coffee sounds good.”
Low expectations. Daytime. Minimal chance for intimacy. Definitely good.
He gave me another hug, and then I walked back to the car as if in a daze. As attractive as Arlo was, it didn’t feel right to move forward with our physical relationship while I was still being…coachedby Bennett. And the idea of having sex with anyone but Bennett made me physically ill.
* * *
It had been a busy week,and by Wednesday, nothing seemed to go right. River forgot his homework. I spilled coffee on my shirt. And I was dragging after several late-night practice sessions with Bennett. When I arrived at the studio, Harper was working on edits for the images for Meghan Hart’s latest cover, and she greeted me with a chipper hello.
I dropped my stuff in my chair, then said, “I’m going to grab some coffee from next door. And maybe a muffin. You want anything?”
“I’m good. Thanks.”
I was headed out the door when I ran into Arlo. He was carrying a beautiful bouquet of wild flowers and wearing an adorable smile. My heart flipped in my chest, but not for the reason I’d hoped.
“Arlo, hey.” I forced a smile.Crap.“What are you doing here?”
“Just wanted to stop by and say hi. Bring you these.” He held out the bouquet, and I took it, grateful to have something to do with my hands.
