Page 40 of Tight Ends & Tiaras
SIENNA
Benand I stare at each other over the queen-sized bed.
I guess I hadn’t really thought about the implications of inviting Janelle along on the trip. She thinks Ben and I are sleeping together, so now we have to keep pretending.
“I’m sorry,” Ben whispers. “I’m a fucking dumbass.”
I laugh. It bubbles out of me, and it feels good after being so down for the last week. Wait. Make that nine days.
Fuck you, Cal Winston. You did not destroy me, you little weenie.
I put that loser out of my mind and focus on the handsome man in front of me.
“I promise not to maul you,” I joke.
He smiles back, and I have to admit it feels good to have him on my side. Ben’s been nothing but supportive since everything happened with Cal.
After walking around the bed, he sits in front of me and motions for me to join him. He keeps his voice lowered. “I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable. I can sleep on the floor.”
“Don’t be silly. We can sleep in the same bed and keep things platonic.”
As long as he keeps his shirt on because his big muscles get me going.
But it’s clear he doesn’t think of me in that way. I saw the way his eyes were glued to Janelle’s ass when we stopped at the gas station on the way here. He can say he doesn’t want her, but I’m not so sure about that.
It’s hard to avoid noticing how much Janelle wants him back. They have a kid together after all, so why wouldn’t she hope to reunite with Ben?
I won’t pretend I’m not jealous, but I keep telling myself I have no right to be. Ben’s in a tough position, and I don’t know Janelle well enough to judge her for keeping the baby a secret from Ben.
Did she know from the beginning Lily wasn’t his? Did he make some big proclamation about not wanting kids? Not that those reasonsexcuse her behavior, but she was in high school. We all do dumb things when we’re young, and since I don’t know her, I want to reserve judgment until I understand the situation better.
Of course I’ll take Ben’s side. I have his back for sure, but girls hate on each other too much, and I’ve had enough drama recently to last a lifetime. I’ll keep to my yoga and meditation and hope good karma has my back.
That means I need to keep things completely platonic between me and Ben. As easy as it would be to get naked with him, especially when I see Cal fucking anything with a pulse, I sorta feel like Ben’s my only real friend these days, and I don’t want to lose that or mess it up. I feel safe with him, and I could really use a shoulder to lean on right now.
Ben wraps his arms around me in a hug. “You’re the best. But if you change your mind and want some space, just say the word.”
I lean my head on his chest and try to ignore how much I like the feel of him.
Guh.He smells good. Like sandalwood and soap.
“Thanks.” I shift out of his arms before I do something dumb. “What are we going to do first?”
“Barbecue and then maybe waterski? That sound good?”
“That sounds like a blast. I haven’t been waterskiing in ages.” Since just before my dad hooked up with Penelope. We spent a few days in Cancún. Really, it was the last time he and I did something, just the two of us, without his clinger. “Do we have a life vest for Lily?”
Ben scrubs a hand over his face, which means no. “Fuck. I’m blowing this parental stuff.”
“Hey, it’s okay.” I hook his pinky with mine. “That’s why I’m asking. I’m sure we can hunt one down.”
Nodding slowly, he blows out a breath. “Yeah, okay. You’re right. I’ll tackle that while the guys make lunch.”
We stand and start walking toward the door. “Let me figure it out. Why don’t you spend some time with Lily? She’s all rested and probably has some energy to burn.” I’ve watched him try to play with Lily, and even though she’s obviously his mini-me, she’s not super into her dad yet. It hurts my heart to watch it.
He leans close to me, like he’s imparting a secret. “I really want her to like me.”
For some reason, hearing him say that makes me emotional. It reminds me of my dad and how far we’ve grown apart. I used to be Daddy’s girl, and now I feel like we’re strangers. “She will, Ben. I promise.” I give him my biggest, brightest smile. “What’s not to love?”
