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Someone might say it was a form of punishment, some way at getting back at the woman who so evidently preferred Luke to him. But that was ridiculous. He had made it clear they should only be friends. That she should be with Luke.

Benny rolled her eyes now and grabbed Luke’s hand, lacing her fingers with his. It was hard to miss the softening on Luke’s face as he smiled back at her before lifting her hand and pressing a kiss to it.

Another punch to the stomach.

“There’s no way I can eat all these on my own,” Lela said and bit into one of the nachos. “Here.” Before he could say anything, she was pushing a cheesy chip his way, and he barely had time to open his mouth. Her finger reached out and dabbed at his mouth. “Sorry. You missed some.”

It was a trick from the same book he’d once tried to teach Benny. And he had to admit, it was kind of…annoying. From the look of open disgust he saw on Benny’s face a second later when he turned to see if she’d caught the moment, which she had, of course, she appeared to agree.

Although it didn’t stop her from picking up her churro and feeding a bite to Luke. Benny one-upped them all when she leaned over and removed the cinnamon sugar from his lips.

With a kiss.

For some reason, the superficiality of the whole thing suddenly made him furious. At the game, at Benny for playing it, and at men like him who thought women had to play. It was too much.

Benny shouldn’t have to sell herself out for anyone.

He waited until she excused herself to use the restroom, waylaying her outside the door before she could go in. The image of her kissing that sugar off Luke’s lips permanently emblazoned in his brain.

“What are you doing out there?” he asked, his tone harsher than he’d expected. He took a breath in and out, trying to explain. “Feeding him and kissing him like that? It’s a little desperate, don’t you think?”

“Really? You’re going to accuse me of desperation after you asked out Deep Throat out there. I almost threw up right then.”

He acted like he hadn’t heard her, unable to fully understand the anger and jealousy roiling in his gut. “And what’s with all the makeup? I thought you abhorred the whole glamazon thing. And now you’re dressing like someone else entirely?”

Her face went a deep shade of red. “Are you kidding?” she practically shouted. A few people passing them paused and looked over, and she lowered her voice. “Everything I’m doing—how I dress, how I act—is because you told me to. And now you’re judging me?”

Of course he’d told her all of that. He’d been an idiot and hadn’t realized then the utter perfection that was Benny Sorensen.

He raked a hand through his hair, trying to understand what he wanted to say. “Okay, so maybe I did. But I was wrong. Luke should be able to appreciate how great you are without all that.”

Luke should be able to see past it to the inner strength and beauty that was Benny.

She put her hands to her head as if to calm herself down and then returned them to her sides, her hands now balled in fists. “I don’t understand where this is coming from. This was what we were working for. And now that Luke and I are finally getting to know each other, you’re springing this on me? Whatever this is.”

He laughed in derision. “Getting to know each other? Is that what you’re doing? Because as I recall, up until Saturday, he was convinced you loved—and were quite adept at—playing golf. And sushi—how long are you going to pretend you like that? Up until the wedding? Maybe after the first child is born? I hardly think what you two are doing is being honest with each other.”

“That’s the most sanctimonious bunch of BS I’ve ever heard. What would you know about honesty? Coming from a man who was lapping up the same crap from Lela a few minutes ago, your words lack any real meaning. That’s the type of woman you want to spend the rest of your life with?”

“I’m not the one looking for happily-ever-after, one person forever, yada, yada. That’s you. I’ve been honest from the start about my expectations in a relationship. I’m just looking for fun. What’s wrong with going out with someone who likes to have fun? Who doesn’t look at every motive with cynicism like you do? Who doesn’t judge people or try to hold them up to the lofty standards you expect? We’re humans. Not cyborgs.”

Okay, so maybe he’d gone too far with that last part, especially after seeing the way she’d flinched.

“You know what your problem is, Henry? You pat yourself on the back for being so honest. I’m Henry, I don’t do commitment,” she said, dropping her tone to imitate him. “You’re not honest, though. You’re just a coward. You are too afraid to try and have anything real with someone because you’re worried they’ll see that, deep down, you have no substance. That you’re just a kid who never grew up. A woman, a relationship—they’re just toys to you, something you play with until the next shiny thing comes along. Isn’t that what you said all people were like? Looking for the best and brightest and newest? Well, I’ve got news for you, Henry. Real people aren’t like that. They have more substance, more maturity to find something good, something special, and make it work. Geez. I was such a moron to ever listen to you.”

Silence fell between them, her words weighing heavier on him than he’d have liked.

What had been his point in confronting her like this?

Because this? This conversation hadn’t been what he’d intended.

“Is everything okay here?” They both looked over, startled, to see a security guard next to them.

Henry smiled, even though it pained him to do so. “Everything’s fine.”

The guy was looking at Benny now, waiting for her agreement. “Yes, we’re finished,” she said

, leveling her gaze on Henry. “Nothing to worry about.”


Tags: Ashlee Mallory The Sorensen Family Romance