“Ears ringing? No, why?”
“Funny that.” Jerry guided Ben over to us. “What brings you to this side of the house at the late hour? If I’m not mistaken, you’re rarely out of your bedroom past a certain time.”
It was true but lately I’ve been seeing Ben out of his room or office.
“I heard a noise as I was headed to the library for something, I was simply making sure everything was okay.” Ben sat on one of the wingback chairs.
“Drink then?” Jerry was already on his way to the bar.
“Just one.”
Ben looked over at me, and I felt my mouth turn up. His attention on me was becoming my most favorite thing.
Jerry brought Ben his drink and then sat beside me. He hadn’t been before Ben came into the study and I wondered what he was up to.
Ben slowly sipped his drink—which I was sure was the same brandy I was drinking—never taking his eyes off us.
Jerry wrapped his arm around my shoulders and Ben noticeably stiffened.
“That’s what I thought,” Jerry said then removed his arm.
“Thought what?” Ben cleared his throat.
“You’re as crazy for Crew as he is for you.”
Ben’s eyes widened and I choked on my own brandy. All Jerry did was laugh.
15
Ben
What had happened on Jerry and Crew’s date for him to make such a bold statement? Jerry knew my past as did Crew. Difference being Jerry was present during it and he knew out of circumstance. He saw how the death of my family destroyed me and watched as I desperately tried to crawl myself out. I had vowed never to tell a soul and hadn’t, until Crew.
“What?” That was all I was able to get out. My head was spinning.
“Ben, can we talk privately a moment?” Crew went to get up but Jerry stopped him. “I can talk to him in the hallway. Enjoy your drink.” He jerked his head toward the door, and with one last glance at Crew, I followed behind him.
Jerry peered up and down the corridor, but when it was obvious we were alone, he faced me and smiled.
“I don’t know what has happened between you and Crew, but I’ve never been happier to be ignored on a date as I was tonight.”
“Ignored?” Jerry, while a friend, was a client. I felt guilty he’d paid so much and gotten so little.
“Calm down. I’m not upset. I’m thrilled.”
“Are you okay? I can’t imagine anyone would be fine with—”
“Stop talking, Ben.”
I wasn’t sure whether to be angry or shocked that Jerry basically told me to shut up. Seeing as the night didn’t go as he’d hoped with Crew…which I’m selfishly glad about, I did in fact close my mouth.
“Crew was a terrific escort, but I could tell early on that his mind was on other things. I wasn’t sure what, and for a moment I figured it was nerves seeing as he and I hadn’t met before. But he was charming and it wasn’t until I mentioned your name that he began to truly get lost in his daydreaming.”
“Mine?”
“Let’s not play games, Ben. You two, you had a thing…maybe in your mind you’re calling it a one-night stand?”
“What has he told you?” Nervousness felt like a heavy stone in my stomach.