Page 57 of Resisting the Fall

Ben had never been inclined to change if he didn’t have to.

Maybe after today, he’d learn his lesson. Sometimes change was necessary. Especially when it involved your soon-to-be-ex-wife knowing the password on your phone.

Maven burst through the workshop door, waving a paper over her head. “Ben!”

I knew exactly what she held in her hand, and my heart sank.

Wally chuckled. “You’d better go speak to her. She looks ready to burst.”

Hesitantly, I handed him the bar clamp.

“Let me guess.” I placed my safety glasses on my head as I approached. “Mr. Rost submitted a resignation letter to the school in anticipation of this year’s senior pranks?”

She bounced on her toes, way too excited to take the bait. “I got in! On full scholarship!”

“That’s amazing!” I somehow rallied the excitement she deserved. “Though I didn’t doubt you would for a minute.”

“Wally,” she called, glancing around me. “How much longer do you need Ben?”

He paused his assembly of the cabinet we’d been working on, his wrinkled eyes glinting with humor. “Do the two of you have something to celebrate?”

Maven lifted the letter again. “I got in to the Cleveland Institute of Music.”

“On full scholarship,” I added.

She was beaming.

“Cleveland?” Wally’s gaze flicked to me, a touch of concern in his expression, but he quickly recovered and set his smile on Maven. “That certainly sounds like something that needs to be celebrated. You two go and have fun.”

I didn’t know how Maven always charmed her way into whatever she wanted, but I wouldn’t complain. Not that I didn’t love working for Wally. I enjoyed every minute, soaking up the lessons he’d gained over a lifetime of woodworking; but if I had an opportunity to spend time with Maven, I’d take it. Every time. Without a moment’s hesitation.

“What did your mom say?” I asked when we’d stepped outside into the cool spring air.

“I haven’t told her yet. She was still asleep after her shift, and I didn’t have the heart to wake her.”

“And Carson?”

She grinned. “Do you need me to say that you were the first person I wanted to tell?”

“Carson didn’t answer his phone, did he?”

Maven scoffed, but with the way her lips pulled inward after, I knew she wasn’t telling me something.

I drew a step closer. “Want to show me your call history?”

“Fine. I tried to call him. Twice. But only because it took me like eight minutes to get here. That’s a long time, considering the news.”

I smiled, shaking my head.

“For the record, I didn’t lie. You were the first person I wanted to tell. I simply lacked the self-control.”

I wrapped my arms around her waist. “I’ll gladly take second to Carson. For now.”

She lifted onto her toes and pressed a kiss against my lips. “Thank you, Ben.”

My brow lowered, not sure what exactly she was thanking me for.

“I wouldn’t have applied if you hadn’t encouraged me to. I know four years seems like a long time, but it’s only a ten-hour drive, so I can come home for long weekends and breaks. And you can come see me whenever you want. Plus, we’ll still have the summers.”