Page 99 of Feels Like Love
He nodded. “He even found me my first job. He’s always encouraged me, built me up, even when no one else did.”
I frowned. “What are you talking about?”
He sank down on the edge of the bed, and I joined him. “I never fit the mold my parents had for a son.”
“What do you mean?”
“I was nurturing. I loved animals. I didn’t play football—at least, not well. I got bullied.”
“You?” I couldn’t imagine Bennett being bullied, but I hadn’t been in the same schools at the same time. To me, he was always my older brother’s cool friend. But seeing him now through a different lens, I wondered if that hadn’t always been the case for him.
He nodded. “I was…overly emotional. Embarrassing. A disappointment.”
I squeezed his hand, wanting him to know he had my support. All the while, I was thinking of how angry I was on his behalf. How dare they…
“Nothing I did was ever good enough. It didn’t matter how hard I tried, and boy did I try. I was desperate for their approval. Their love always seemed out of reach.”
“Bennett, I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”
He lifted a shoulder. “It’s not like they were bad parents. I had a nice home, food. They just…weren’t very loving or compassionate. Nothing like the way you are with River.”
“And you,” I said. “You’re incredible with him.”
“Thank you.” He dipped his head. “I can’t tell you how much it means to hear you say that.”
“I mean it. He adores you.”
“And what about his mom?” he asked, peering up at me.
I opened my mouth to respond, but then the doorbell rang. I squeezed my eyes shut.Crap.
“Arlo?” he asked.
“Wait here,” I said, standing.
“I’ll wait for you—as long as it takes.” His expression was so sincere and loving it stole my breath.
When the bell rang again, I dashed toward the front. “Coming,” I called.
Did that really just happen? Had Bennett just told me he loved me?
What the heck was I supposed to do now?
Chapter Twenty-Three
Istrained my ears, listening as Wren opened the door and said, “Hey, Arlo.”
“Heya.” There was silence, and I wondered if he was kissing her.
I was so tempted to stomp in and stake my claim, but I wouldn’t. As much as I’d demanded she stay, this had to be on Wren’s terms. It hadn’t escaped my notice that she’d never said I love you back. Now that I thought about it, she’d never agreed not to go with him.
I stood and started pacing. Oh god. What if she still intended to go with him, and she was just stalling so she could finish packing and let me down gently?
I crept to the door and stood in the opening, careful to remain out of sight. “I like your house,” he said, and I heard his footsteps against the wood floor. “It’s very cozy and cheerful.”
“Thanks,” she chirped. I could tell she was nervous. Could Arlo? I didn’t want to think he knew her that well. Yet she’d agreed to go away with him for the weekend. She’d gone lingerie shopping with him in mind. I was going crazy with ideas of howwellthey knew each other.
“Do you want to go outside?” she asked.
