Page 56 of The Ex-Best Thing
“I think we have a song, Bodega Bree.”
I laugh. “Now I need to figure out the best way to put it out.”
“We can worry about that later. For now, we need to get it recorded. Work on the vocals until they feel right to you.”
“I’m there, I think.”
“Of course you are.” He smiles down at me easily, his lipscurving effortlessly, his blue eyes searching my face. “You always had the most flawless tone.”
“Too bad my reputation kept labels from wanting me in the beginning. There’s a theme here, you know.”
“It’s not you, though. You do recognize that, right? It’s the way you were brought up and the Belacourt name and all it entails.” He’s speaking so earnestly I want to believe him, but I know the truth.
I did write that diss track, after all.
Shaking my head, I look at the grass growing beneath the truck. Benny’s knuckle gently pushes under my chin, guiding it up until I’m looking at him. “You’re a good person.”
His words hit me in the gut. I’m so caught off guard, my breath catches.
“Youare. I don’t know who made you believe otherwise, but I’ve known you for a long time. Maybe I haven’t seen you in years, but that doesn’t mean I don’t know you, Bree. You always look out for others, and you care about important causes. I know what you did for women’s shelters in New York, and I saw that segment about you spreading that fundraising to five other states on the East Coast.”
“You watched a segment, Benny. It was a publicity stunt.”
“Your mom made it into one, maybe, but that’s not why you did it,” he says, seeingme. His knuckles brush my jaw and glide over my neck. They get tangled in the blonde hair at my shoulder. “This wig is ridiculous.”
“I’m committed to it.”
“I know. But I like you better when you’re all natural.”
His thumb strokes a pattern over my jawline and down my throat. It’s becoming difficult to breathe. His eyes match the sky above us, and I’m getting trapped in them. All I can smell is his cologne and the fresh air coming in from the ocean and the grass and earth around us.
I want nothing else but for his arms to close around me, to pull me in and tell me everything will work out. Which is probably why I sway toward him.
His eyes darken, his pupils widening despite the daylight surrounding us, and I know immediately he wants to kiss me as much as I want him to.
We surrender at the same moment.
Benny leans forward, dipping his head until his lips brush mine, our breath mingling together. His hand cups my jaw while the other slides to my waist. I want to feel every part of him, but mostly, I want his lips to quit tantalizing me, hovering so close, brushing softly and sending every nerve ending in my body to the incinerator.
A phone buzzes harshly on the tailgate, making us jump. Our foreheads knock together before we leap apart, cool air rushing in the space where he was only moments ago. It’s like having a taste of the most incredible drink of ice-cold water on a sufferingly hot day, only to have someone smack the cup right out of my hand. I watch the proverbial water spread on hot concrete and turn into steam as Benny runs a frustrated hand over his face and picks up his phone.
Colby.Again.
“What is this, the tenth time he’s called?” I joke, but my body is seared where he was touching me, and I’m having a hard time thinking of anything else or not being resentful. What couldpossiblymatter so much that Colby needs to call this much? Unless…it does matter. “Could it be important?”
Concern flashes in Benny’s eyes. “Maybe.” He slides the phone on and puts it to his ear. “What’s up?”
His worry only grows the longer he listens to his cousin. He watches me, then drags his attention to the ground. “What did she say? Right. Okay. Thanks for the heads up. Bye.” Benny ends the call and puts the phone down. He rubs his eyes andlooks at me. “So, Colby’s been online. He saw something he thought you might want to know.”
It would be an understatement to admit that panic is beginning to be my constant companion. “Just spit it out, because the suspense is killing me.”
Benny doesn’t crack a smile. “Your sister is engaged.”
17
BENNY
What the crapwas I thinking? I tried to kiss Bree while she’s in a vulnerable state? I’m a moron. I should be protecting her from slimeballs, not throwing myself at her.
