Page 95 of Resisting the Fall

He’d brought me flowers?

Her nose wrinkled. “It’s not a date, though.”

Ben chuckled at Penny’s correction. “Well, I had hoped to give them to her this morning, but it’s been a bit of a crazy day.”

Before Penny could question Ben, I sidled up next to her. Sure enough, Ben was standing on the front porch with a stunning arrangement of flowers—big white lilies and orange dahlias with white tips, surrounded by an array of smaller flowers in deep magentas, whites, and rusts. My heart stilled.

“Being that this is apparently not a date, I’ve also heard flowers go well with apologies.” His gaze met mine. “I’m sorry I’m so late.”

The slight weight I’d carried around all day dissipated instantly. It seemed there really had been some sort of situation he’d needed to help with. I wanted to ask him about it, but since he wasn’t being forthcoming with the information, I’d wait until we were alone. “No apology required.” I accepted the bouquet and took a moment to fully appreciate it. “But thank you for these. They’re beautiful.”

“Did you see your pumpkin?” Penny poked her head around the door and pointed. “Maven said you’d want a fish on it.”

Ben took a backward step, examined his pumpkin, then gave a little shake of his head as a smile lifted the corners of his lips. “That’s a pretty small fish for such a big pumpkin.”

Penny nodded. “That’s what I said, but Aunt Maven said it was more fitting that way.”

Ben sent me an accusatory look.

I bit back my smile. “I just wanted it to be realistic.”

He chuckled, then pointed to the other one we’d done. “That one’s terrifying.” He leaned closer. “Is it eating that little pumpkin?”

Penny beamed. “It is!”

A gust of cool air blew in through the open door. “Do you want to come in? We’re about to eat, and my mom said she’d love it if you’d join us.”

“Yeah, come eat with us!” Penny gestured him inside.

Ben stepped inside, closing the door behind him. “Dinner sounds amazing.”

“We also have dessert,” Penny said as we started toward the kitchen. “Maven and I made an apple crisp. We peeled the apples and sliced them ourselves.”

He sent me a sideways glance.

“Don’t worry,” I said. “I didn’t know you were going to be eating with us. It’s safe. Though possibly a touch overcooked.”

Maven

Ben glanced at the clock on his phone before showing me the time. It was almost ten.

I gave a small frown.

“Do you need to head home?” Mom asked, clearly noticing the exchange.

“I probably should.” Ben ran a hand down my back, allowing it to linger. “With how many times Penny has come out of her room, I’m guessing my being here isn’t helping.”

Carson had just gone to lie down with her after her third time asking for water.

Mom waved a dismissive hand. “She can always find a reason to stay up past bedtime.” Her gaze shifted from Ben to me, then back again. “But now that you mention it, I guess I probably should head to bed myself. I’m on the six a.m. shift.”

“Ouch. With the commute, that’s early.” Ben stood. “Thanks again for having me over. That dinner was delicious.”

Mom also stood and came to give Ben a hug. “We’re so happy you joined us.”

I still sat on the couch in silent protest of his leaving. He reached out a hand and, reluctantly, I took hold of it, allowing him to pull me to my feet. Grabbing a throw off the back of the couch, I wrapped it around myself, refusing to let the bite of the October night air shorten my goodbye with Ben a second time.

When I’d closed the front door behind us, I stayed on the top step so I was only slightly shorter than Ben.