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Garnett's arm tightened around her shoulder in comfort. She wiped at the tears as they cooled on her cheeks. With a shaky breath, she continued.
"I have never seen anything in anyone before like the pain I saw in Benjamin's face. He puts up walls. I knew that the moment I met him. Once in a while, I think the real Benjamin sneaks through. But that night…" She couldn't continue, the massive emotions in her throat choked out all speech.
Hot tears burned her eyes and she wiped them away with a vicious hatred for the words that had caused Benjamin pain and hatred for her inability to make it go away. Her heart ached for him. She wanted so much to give him the comfort he needed but didn't know how. Partially because she somehow knew he wouldn't admit to it in the first place.
"What happened?" Garnett asked in a soft, gentle tone.
Jewell reined in her emotion and took a fortifying breath. As best she could, she described the events of the evening. Everything from the shove that broke the vase, to his father's attempt to choke Benjamin against the wall. Because it was Garnett, and they had always been close, she told him about the desperation and need she felt when he embraced her. He held her until her lungs burned to breathe.
When Benjamin kissed her, there was something in the intimate caress that hadn't been there previously. Jewell sensed need, anguish, and desperation in the way he devoured her mouth with rough intensity. His fingers pressed into her skin so hard, trying to bring her closer to him, the flesh showed slight bruises the next morning. But Jewell didn't begrudge the faint marks. His embrace was so powerful, that she wondered if he would ever let go.
"You never said there was something going on between the two of you," Garnett stated.
Jewell shrugged and sighed. "I don't know if there is or isn't. I'm still trying to figure that part out."
"Sounds like it's more than just working together."
Jewell's cheeks warmed despite the cool evening air, and she avoided meeting her brother's gaze. She'd already told Greg about the kisses in the office and the dinner he made for her, and he'd reminded her of his opinion on work romances.
Don't go there. Ever.
She never intended it to happen, it just did.
"Jewell…"
"We've kissed. We've spent some time together. If that constitutes 'something going on', then I guess there is," she finally admitted, glancing sideways at Garnett.
He was silent for a few moments. She studied the fraying edge of her father's sweater sleeve, toying with the worn strings, waiting for him to say something. Finally, he chuckled. "I'll probably get in trouble, but I know a little secret about the two of you."
Jewell looked up at him and arched one eyebrow.
"Ruby told me something she saw," Garnett finally offered.
"Ruby? Something she saw?"
"She said she got up earlier this week and saw you and Benjamin on the couch. Apparently asleep. Looked like you'd been there all night, she said. She hid in the kitchen when she saw him get up."
Jewell slouched down in the swing and crossed her arms over her body. Her face warmed, and she hoped Garnett would attribute the color to the cool wind blowing across the yard.
"He showed up at the apartment around midnight. For weeks he had been acting like a jerk in the office. It kind of came to a head that day and I kinda told him off. Benjamin left the office and was gone the rest of the day. He said he wanted to apologize for the way he acted. It was strange because I assumed he came to fire me."
"So he stayed all night?"
"We just started talking. He saw a photo album on the table and looked at it. Things like that. We fell asleep, or at least, I fell asleep. When I woke up the next morning, very late I might add, he wasn't there."
"Ruby said he kissed you before he left. She saw him fix the pillows, cover you with an afghan, and kiss your cheek before sneaking out."
Jewell's heart nearly burst and new tears rushed to her eyes. They were no longer tears of anger or sadness. What a precious, utterly sweet thing for him to do!
"Really?" she managed to whisper.
Garnett smiled and nodded. "That's what Ruby said. I don't see any reason for her to make it up."
They fell into a comfortable silence as the swing rocked brother and sister back and forth. The dry leaves on the ground swirled up in miniature twisters as the evening breeze swept through the yard. The dry rustle was a soothing song.
"Do you think you love him?"
"That's a hell of a question."
