Page 25 of The Ex-Best Thing
This community doesn’t need me coming in and wasting so much expensive meat. I will be making a donation, but I won’t push it now, because he’s trying to be polite and ease my intense discomfort. Judging by the sheer amount of people who came in here today needing a hot meal, the board could put my money to good use. As soon as I make contact with my team again, I’m having them send over a huge anonymous donation.
But not until I leave town, of course. I don’t want to reveal myself too soon.
“The real shame is that we haven’t had more than five minutes to hang out today.” Peter flashes a smile, his perfect white teeth gleaming. “You could make it up to me by coming with Ben to the dinner next Friday.”
I can sense Benny tensing behind me. “What dinner?” I ask.
Peter pulls his shirt off, wringing the water from it onto a pile of towels. The man works out and has zero shame, and my eyes are immediately drawn to the tattoos trailing up his bicep and climbing over his chest. His confidence would be attractive if I wasn’t so uncomfortable and still fighting mortification. Besides, I get the sense Peter flirts with anyone whose chromosomes lack a Y.
I take a step back, bumping into Benny’s arm.
“Just a bonfire thing,” Peter says, shrugging.
“For his birthday,” Benny finishes. “We’re smoking pork.”
I shift, looking into Benny’s face. “You’ll definitely be there?”
“He has no choice.” Peter grins. “He’s bringing the pork.”
“You can come with me,” Benny says, ignoring his friend. “If you think it’s a good idea.”
“Why would it be a bad idea?” Peter is justifiably confused.
“Oh, because of my concussion?” I tilt my head to the side. He obviously has my best interests in mind. I know that. If I can handle a community event in broad daylight, a beach bonfireshould be fine. Right? Despite the risk, I want to spend more time with him in his habitat surrounded by the people who currently fill his life.
Friends can want that, right? Friends who used to be in love can hang out just to catch up with no expectations for the future. I try to read Benny and see if he feels the same, or if he’s warning me away for another reason.
“We don’t have to play the music too loudly,” Peter offers.
I cringe. “I’d rather not be a buzzkill.”
“I doubt you could be.”
Benny puts a hand on my arm. “Yeah, I was worried about the atmosphere. If you think you can handle it, I’m sure it’ll be fine. It would be fun to have you there.”
We’ll see if he still feels the same after the diss track comes out tomorrow.
“Great.” Peter turns the full weight of his attention on me. “See you then. Or before, if I’m lucky.”
I can’t remember the last time a stranger blatantly flirted with me like this. I can’t remember the last time I sat and had a conversation with a stranger at all that wasn’t coordinated by my team for publicity, to be honest. The crowds have been so bad the last few years; I haven’t done anything without my horde of bodyguards.
I hazard a glance at Benny, who looks rigid. I guess I still kind of have a bodyguard around.
Peter grins unrepentantly, flinging his shirt over his shoulder. Did heflex? I wish I was still texting my sisters, because they would get a kick out of this guy. “I should probably get rid of these burgers before Dan tries to take them for his meal prep,” Peter says.
Benny cringes, his stiff posture gone in a blink. “Good call.”
Peter escapes outside, leaving us alone by the table of water and a pile of dirty dishrags.
“I need to get going.” Benny won’t look me in the eye, whichis weird. “Costco is only going to get busier the longer I put it off.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever been to Costco,” I tell him.
Benny shoots me a smile. “Not surprising.” He hesitates. Now that he’s looking me in the eye, he can’t seem to look away. “You want to write me a list? I can pick up whatever you need for the house.”
“I don’t know what they have. But if you have room, I wouldn’t mind tagging along. I’m getting tired of granola bars.”
Benny leans closer, lowering his voice to a decibel that drifts over my skin like velvet. “It’ll be busy, Bree. Like, really busy.”
