AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“If I had a girlfriend," he says, even though I didn't ask, "we’d have inside jokes. She’d call me on my shit. But she’d also smile when I’m grumpy, like it’s cute and not infuriating. She’d know me better than anyone. She’d be the light to my dark. I could tell her anything, trust her witheverything.”
The words hang between us, a bubble I don’t want tobreak.
“I could have a car take you home," he says at last once we reach the outside of my office building. "Wait for you to go up and get yourthings.”
“Thanks, but I have some more work to dofirst.”
“In that case, I’ll see you at your place forFortnite.”
“I’m going to the Vineyard,” I remind him. “But we can still play after I finishwork.”
In the darkness, he looks disappointed or irritated, maybe both. "I could go with you, if you wantbackup."
Offering to spend a weekend with anyone other than his work and clients is so unlike him. And spending an entire weekend with him, sharing a room, acting like we're head over heels… I don’t know how I’d staysane.
I try to stay grateful for what we have, ourfriendship.
But I want all of him, the parts he shares and the ones he keepsprivate.
“You showed up for me with Xavier,” he goes on, oblivious to my debate, “and part of the appeal for you was helping your case by showing Vane we're dating. I'll be your trophy boyfriend. Hold your drinks and golfclubs."
The idea of Ben standing on the sidelines of anything has melaughing.
But I want it. Somuch.
“Well, if I’m going to survive Martha’s Vineyard, I suppose I could use Jet,” Isay.
“Jet.” He steps closer, the sudden heat of his body making my breath catch. “I’m much better company than adog.”
“Sometimes you are adog.”
He grins. “Damn straight. Now askme.”
He's commanding again, the vulnerability from earlier gone. The way he’s looking at me, the way he makes me feel as though he’s my family even though he doesn’t have to be, has my heart hammering and every part of me wanting more, no matter what theconsequences.
And therewouldbe consequences. Because if we play out the attraction I’m starting to think isn’t all in my head, having him wake up and realize I’m not what he wants would destroyme.
My inhale is steady, deliberate. “Come to Martha’s Vineyard for the weekend. I can promise rich people and lots of acting. You’ll also need black tie for onenight.”
Ben strokes his thumb down my jaw. “My tux and I are at yourservice.”
12
I’m in physical pain.
In the most relaxing, charming place within two hours of Manhattan, my ribs are squeezing my organs so hard they mightpop.
“Is it possible to add a second bed?” I ask the woman working at the front desk of the Vanes’ hotel, my voice deliberately low so we’re notoverheard.
“I’m sorry, your reservation has a king suite listed and we’re full. I could inquire about moving some of the otherguests…”
“No, it’s fine. Thankyou.”
This morning, Ben and I took the boat to the Vineyard. It’s charming network of farms and cottages. It’s easy to be fooled into forgetting the understated country scenery is a playground for the ultra rich and famous seeking an escape by trading their city island for a more ruralone.
Ben hangs up a phone call and meets me in the middle of the lobby. He looks like a boarding school orgasm in a navy polo that fits his muscled torso perfectly, exposing tanned arms and neck and linen shorts. His hair is wavy and long, his Ray-Bans stuck back on hishead.
I smile brightly, and he returns it, cocking his head in curiosity. “Everythinggood?”
