Fall in love with me, p.17
Fall in Love with Me, page 17
“Call?” Marlena says as if calling would be horrific.
“Well, text. You know what I mean,” Lauren responds.
I swing back and forth, watching the sun set behind the row of houses. “I wish I had asked for his number too. I was trying to play it cool.”
“Maybe he’s doing that thing where they wait a day or two,” Marlena offers.
“Someone has his number. Why don’t you ask Stew?” Lauren suggests but my stomach knots in response.
“Is that too…clingy? Like stalkerish?”
“How is it stalking?” Marlena stresses the question.
“If he wanted to message he would. So me pushing is…” I try to explain but Gemma cuts me off.
“Was the sex good?” Gemma asks.
“Yeah,” I answer again. They all know at this point that he’s good in bed.
“Then there’s no such thing as too clingy or stalkerish or whatever. Just text and say you got his number from Stew.”
It’s silent on the porch for a minute and it dawns on me that the entire thing is ridiculous. We’re adults and I can wait for a message. I am not a needy lovesick teen. I’m just very much reminded of that side of me. Because it’s him. Bennet Thompson. The name I used to scribble in notebooks and then scratch out for fear of anyone seeing it.
“I really would rather he message,” I answer honestly and Gemma shrugs. “Then you’re going to have to wait.”
Just then my phone buzzes in my hand and Gemma leans forward, Lauren grabs Marlena’s arm and the porch is silent until I look.
“It’s him,” I say without thinking and the girls lose their ever-loving shit.
“I told you!”
“See he likes you!”
With all the cheers and laughing I can’t hold back my smile.
* * *
Hey Bree. It’s Bennet. I just realized I didn’t give you my number. I was wondering if you wanted to go out tomorrow? We could do lunch or dinner if you’re free?
* * *
“He wants to go out again,” I tell them, not able to contain my smile as my heart races.
“When it’s easy, it’s real,” Gemma says confidently and then Lauren and Marlena start chanting, “Bree and Bennet sitting in a tree.”
“You two are ridiculous,” I tell them.
“What’s ridiculous is how red your face is,” Lauren retorts and I have to laugh.
All the while texting Bennet back that I’d love to.
Bennet
“I think La Blanc could be our place?” I say as I scoop the last of the chocolate mousse off the plate with my spoon before offering it up to Bree.
She shakes her head no and states she’s full, so I finish off the dessert.
We were here last Saturday too, only this time we’re at the same table we were at the first time we came here. That first night.
It’s only been a couple of weeks but I’m head over heels for this woman and everyone in this town knows it. Including her.
“I like that sound of ‘our place.’” Bree says with that smile I know too well.
“I like that sound, too,” I say and then I question myself. My head just doesn’t work quite right when it comes to her. “I mean, I like the sound of it, too.”
I’ve stopped looking for an apartment since I spend most of the time at Bree’s house anyway. I’ve got three drawers in her dresser and a shelf in the fridge. Joe jokes that I’m slowly moving in. I didn’t tell him that she said I could if I wanted to. It’s moving fast, but it all feels right. It feels like we’re catching up on the time we lost if I’m honest.
When it’s the real thing, you just know, and I’ve always known it was Bree for me.
“So where do you want to go after this?” I ask her with a grin I can't help.
She laughs at me before saying she has a surprise for me.
I’m caught off guard and I look back at her, unable to keep my curiosity at bay. “What is it?”
“It wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you. It’s back at my place,” she says, laughing, and my brow scrunches.
“Can I have a hint?” I ask.
“Stew didn’t tell you?” she questions.
“Tell me what?”
“The color,” she says although her voice drops some.
“What do you mean?” I shake my head, feeling even fuzzier.
“Bennet, what’s the color?”
The soft green paint is chipped on the wall when I blink away what felt like a memory.
There’s the soft beep of the machine to my left. And stiff white sheets lay over me as I lay in the bed.
I stare straight ahead at the chip in the wall color.
“Do you remember anything from yesterday?” a voice asks me, and I slowly look up at a nurse who looks back at me as if we’re mid-conversation.
“My head is killing me,” I tell her and try to focus on her face, but I can’t. “What happened?”
She tells me about an accident and says something about trauma before asking, “Do you have any idea what we asked you to remember?”
Another nurse appears to my right. I didn’t even see her there. My pulse quickens as they look at me expectantly.
“You don’t have to think too hard. If you feel like you want to say something but you don’t know why, you can say it. We are here to help you and even if it doesn’t seem like it, you’re making great progress.”
Beep, beep, beep.
I notice the tubes in my arm as a nurse hits a button. The pain radiates at the back of my head. What was I just thinking about? I can’t remember. I can’t remember anything.
“We sent out a fax for everyone in the area who called in a missing person report.” The nurse with dark hair and deep brown eyes on my right tells me.
I only know her first name although Bree’s face flashes in front of me.
Bree.
“What was the last thing you remember,” the nurse in front of me asks.
“You have to call Bree,” I tell them.
“Can you tell me her last name?”
I swallow thickly. “I don’t…” I start to say, my forehead scrunched as a panic comes over me. I can’t remember. I don’t know. Emotions swarm through me as I try to remember anything at all. I readjust in the bed feeling as if I’m tied down but I’m not.
“It’s okay—you’re safe. It’s going to be all right. We’re still here. You’re okay.”
“How long have I been here?”
“It’s been two months,” the blonde answers.
“You were unconscious for most of that but the last few days you’ve been in and out.”
“Do you remember anything?”
“Just Bree. I need to tell Bree.”
“Tell her what?”
“I don’t…” Did she file a missing persons report?
“We’ve called the departments in the surrounding cities. Do you know where you live?
“Bree…” And then I remember, back at her place, the wall color in the living room, her laugh on the porch…the street sign, and chills flow over my shoulders when I tell them, “She lives on Cedar Lane.”
Forever After All
Prologue
Aubrey
* * *
I never could have imagined the living room looking so romantic. With the candlelight, blanket by the fire, and champagne glasses.
Still my nerves wrestle in the pit of my stomach as I dim the lights even more.
It’s already my favorite room in the house, other than my bedroom. My living room has been my favorite for a long time. It’s where I like to relax after a long day or curl up on the couch with a book or watch the leaves in the trees outside my window. I’ve put serious thought and consideration into making it cozy, so I’ve never really had a reason to describe it as romantic before.
Maybe romantic isn’t the right word, but then again, how else do you describe dinner at home cooked by a private chef?
Okay, maybe he’s not a private chef, but he’s my private chef for the night. Bennet cooked dinner and dessert and I told him I’d set the scene. Bennet moved the coffee table to a better angle and filled it with homemade dishes. Candles flicker between the dishes, artfully placed so that each dish seems to have its moment in the sun.
The food looks amazing. He made it, so it can’t be anything less than perfect. My heart races as the firelight dances on his face.
“It’s beautiful,” he tells me when I tell him he can open his eyes. Although he barely looks at a thing other than me.
All the while, something tells me tonight is different.
The heat in his eyes isn’t just from the fire or the candles. I think he feels what I feel.
I’m warm, inside out, looking at him as the night goes on. I want to see him across the table every day. I want his face to be the last thing I see before I fall asleep every night.
He raises an eyebrow at me and twirls his fork over his plate. Chocolate soufflé, my favorite.
Bennet takes a bite of his soufflé, and a shiver runs through me.
“Be careful, or I won’t be able to help falling in love with you.”
His smile is broad and charming. “Is that the chocolate soufflé or the wine talking?”
I pick up my glass and bite back my smile, my face going even hotter than it was a minute ago. “I don’t want to tell you in case you take it away from me.”
Oh God. Maybe it is the wine talking.
That nervousness comes back full force as the fire crackles and the dessert disappears.
The whole scene feels like a dream.
Even the part where my heart races every time our eyes meet.
He leans in, eyes going dark as he drags his gaze over every inch of my body. My simple satin dress doesn’t leave much to the imagination. With a low cut I’d never wear out but I wore it tonight for him. His gaze lingers on my lips for several beats before he meets my eyes again.
“What if I want to know because I want to give you more of it?”
Another shiver shakes me at the change in his voice. Lower, almost sultry. I can feel it in the air like I’d feel his lips on my neck.
A giggle escapes from me before I can stop it. “Bennet Thompson…don’t tease me.”
“Oh, Bree.” Bennet slides over until his thigh touches mine, and then his fingertips are at my knee. He trails those fingertips up my thigh. “I plan on doing a lot of teasing tonight.”
I let out a low gasp, and his hand curls around the back of my neck, and then his mouth is on mine in a kiss as hot as the fireplace, as hot as the wine racing through me.
Bennet kisses me like he’s been waiting all his life for this. His tongue slides against mine, tasting, and I open my mouth to give him more access. It’s a feverish kiss. My hands slide up into his hair, and his hand curls tighter around my neck. I feel almost molten under his hands, like I’ve turned into red wine. All I want is my body closer to his. I don’t care if we make it to the bed or stay on the carpet. I want him as close to me as I can get.
He pulls back and sucks in a breath, his eyes hot on my lips. Even that distance feels like too much. But Bennet doesn’t stay away for long. He leans in again after only a second, kissing me just as deeply as he did before.
I make a sound into his mouth, and he groans back at me. Neither of us needs words to understand. He wants me just as much as I want him.
It might be too much, too soon, but I’m already in love with him.
I’ll love him forever.
I think I knew that before tonight. I think I’ve always known it.
Aubrey
“I’ve never been more excited to eat in my entire life,” I say as I make my way to the entrance. My heels click on the sidewalk, my clutch in my right hand. My friend Lauren reaches for me on the sidewalk outside the only fancy Italian place in our town, a huge smile on her face, and gives me a hug as if I don’t see her every other day.
“Hi, babe. I’m so glad you’re here.”
I hug her back, the breeze ruffling my hair and we head into the restaurant together. The doors don’t open for a few more hours, so the tables are empty in the front of the house. It’s calm and quiet in contrast to how full this restaurant usually is. Makes me feel like we’re extra special, even though I’m sure this is typical for them.
“Here for the tasting?” the manager asks.
“We’re here and we’re so excited,” Lauren answers. She gives the manager an enormous smile. If Lauren loves one thing more than wine, it’s delicious Italian food.
The manager leads us to the back room and seats us at a large, round table with a simple white table cloth and pours water into shining glasses. Our napkins are folded into elegant fans and there are candles lit in the center of the table.
“Wow.” I nudge Lauren with my elbow. I hadn’t expected the fancy place settings or the tablecloth, actually. I thought we’d probably have a very normal table in the back. “You’re going all out, aren’t you?”
“It’s for work.” She raises her eyebrows at me. “I want to impress them.”
“I’m really happy to be part of this.” I settle into my seat and pull my napkin onto my lap. “You’re a good friend. Have I ever told you that?”
Lauren pats my arm. “I’m going to invite you to the next tasting, Bree. Don’t worry.”
We chat for a minute about her party plans. Lauren always puts on great events, but that’s because she focuses on every detail, like the food. Love is in the details after all. I would say she doesn’t need to be nervous, but being nervous keeps her on top of things, and it always seems worth it in the end.
Besides I’m a workaholic, so I entirely understand her detail oriented-ness.
Unfortunately, in this very moment, I take a sip of water. The kitchen swings open and Bennet Thompson comes out. I inhale to gasp and get a throat full of water. That detail is less than lovely as I choke, giving my former high school crush a horrible first impression.
“Oh my God.” Lauren leans over and pats at my back. “What happened?”
“I didn’t know.” I tip my head toward Bennet, who thankfully looks like he didn’t see as he’s staring at a piece of paper in his hand. My body heats, he’s even more handsome than I remember. I cough one more time into my napkin, thankful that he hasn’t seen me yet and attempt to right myself and get myself together just in time.
Lauren glances at him. “Yeah? He’s the new chef.”
He approaches the table, leans over, and hands each of us a long, slim sheet of paper. Meanwhile, all I can focus on is keeping my hand from shaking.
Bennet freaking Thompson. Butterflies stir in my stomach, and I have no idea how I’m supposed to eat right now.
“Good afternoon, ladies. I want to give these to you first, before I forget.” Bennet’s eyes catch mine and I don’t miss how his full lips pull into a smile. A blush heats my face as he continues. “You can use these to mark down which dishes you want for the event. Let me head back, and I’ll get the first set of options.” He motions with his thumb, and I’m caught in his gaze a moment longer than I should be.
Lauren doesn’t seem to notice a thing; she studies the damn piece of paper, oblivious to what just happened.
Clearing my throat, I shake it off. It’s probably nothing. I bet he doesn’t even remember my name.
Does he remember?
I pretend to study the checklist, but my heart is pounding out of my chest. It takes three tries to read it.
“You okay?” Lauren murmurs.
“Mm-hmm.”
Bennet arrives back at the table with a tray in his hands. He puts it down on the tablecloth in front of us. His gorgeous hands move over the dishes as he describes each one in a low, confident tone.
I don’t hear a thing he says. I can’t concentrate on anything but his lips.
Well…except for his eyes. I can’t stop myself from looking into his eyes. He glances up several times to look at me and Lauren as he speaks, a smile turning up the corner of his mouth. Every time his eyes meet mine, my heart does a little skip.
Lauren looks between the two of us, her lips pursed, and then finally snaps her fingers. “Oh my gosh. Bennet?”
“That’s right,” Bennet says with a grin.
“So, you’re back in town?” Lauren beams at Bennet.
“That I am.”
My face is hot, even though I have no reason to be embarrassed. It’s not like he saw me choke on water.
“Good thing, too.” I keep my grip on my fork as natural as possible. “You’re delicious.”
Bennet’s eyebrows go up.
“Your food!” I say, too quickly. “Your food is delicious.” Oh. My. God.
“Glad to hear it.” Bennet winks at me, then disappears back into the kitchen to get the next set of hors d’oeuvres.
“You’re delicious?” Lauren teases me under her breath, and I cover my face with the napkin in jest. She only laughs and before another minute passes, Bennet comes out again before my heart has had a chance to settle down. “I’m excited to hear what you think.”
“I’ll be sure to let you know.” I keep my eyes on him while he takes us through options four, five, and six.
Bennet hovers near the table while we divide them up to taste. “You look great,” he comments. “Life treating you well?” I can’t help the blush and I add a little flirtation when I respond, “It is right now.” I lift a cream puff to my lips and bite into it. It’s the best cream puff I’ve ever tasted.
Bennet’s eyes stay on me as I chew and swallow, and then he’s leaning in over the table. “Hey, Bree, you…”
He leans closer. My heart is going a hundred miles an hour.
“You have some cream there that’s—”
“Oh!” I yank my napkin out of my lap and cover my mouth with it, wiping foolishly. Bennet pulls back.
Lauren looks between us before telling me that I’ve got it and asking Bennet a question about a menu item.
