Chapter 3 Ben Is Back

Mila

Saturday evening, I sat with Skylar at the bar at my parents' restaurant, drinking cocktails. We had been friends since she moved to Portland when we were fourteen. She had wild red hair and blue eyes and freckles like the constellations that shifted when she smiled.

"You know, we can literally go anywhere in town," I said to Skylar.

"Yeah, I know, but cocktails are free here because of your dad. And we're not out hunting for guys, so there's no reason to go somewhere else."

I rolled my eyes, but I was smiling. There had been a time when I had hated sitting at my parents' restaurant. I'd felt they were pressuring me to take over the place with Jerrod, so I avoided it. I had wanted to be a nurse, and my parents had been disappointed with the path I was choosing. Since then, they had come to accept my direction in life, and I was okay sitting at The Cottage again.

"So, Ben is back in town," I said before taking another sip of my cocktail. I looked at Skylar.

"Really?" Skylar grinned. "Bet he's as hot as ever."

"Of course," I said, laughing.

I'd had a crush on Ben since I was old enough to look at boys, but he'd always been too old for me. Now that I was twenty-five, five years' age difference wasn't such a big deal.

"So, go after him, then," Skylar said.

I shook my head. "Oh no, we both know that's never going to happen."

"Why not?" Skylar asked. "You're hot. He's hot. Match made in heaven."

I laughed. "Life is so simple, huh?"

Skylar pulled up her shoulders.

"He's still Jerrod's best friend. That's just wrong."

"There's no law saying you can't date your brother's hot friend."

"There's an unwritten rule about it. Jerrod would flip his lid. Not only because it's Ben but because he's so protective of me."

Skylar rolled her eyes. "He has to let you make your own mistakes at some point. He can't always look after you."

I laughed. "It's just a childhood fantasy," I said.

I thought back to when I had seen him last night. I hadn't gone to talk to him because Rachel had gone in for the kill almost right away. No one liked Rachel. She had attached herself to Jerrod's group shortly after Ben had left, and even though everyone thought she was a bitch, she stayed strong and tagged along to every damn party they went to. They had stopped trying to get rid of her.

Maybe it would change now since Ben was back.

He had looked so good last night. He had grown up but in a good way. He had become more solid, the way boys did when they became men. His dark hair and blue eyes were still a smoldering combination, and after Rachel had left in a huff, I knew he had told her off. It had made me happy. I would never stand a chance with him, but knowing Rachel couldn't have him was satisfying.

"Mila," Skylar said, and I realized she'd been talking to me.

"Sorry. What?"

Skylar laughed. "Just a childhood fantasy, huh? Looks like it's an adult fantasy too."

I blushed, and Skylar laughed harder.

"Speak of the devil," I said when Jerrod and Ben walked through the door. They were talking about something. Jerrod was going on and on, and Ben nodded and listened. Strong and silent. And hot. He wore a collared shirt and jeans with shoes that looked expensive but understated. Everything about Ben was like that.

"It's fate," Skylar said and winked at me.

"What are you talking about?" I asked.

"We were talking about him, and here he is," Skylar said. She lifted an arm and waved at the two men.

"Stop it," I said, but Jerrod had already seen us, and they came over toward us.

"Now, you can tell him how you feel," Skylar said.

"I'm not doing that," I said.

Skylar laughed, enjoying herself at my expense. My stomach fluttered when Ben looked at me and smiled. My heart beat in my throat as they came closer. I hadn't spoken to Ben in years. What the hell was I going to say to him?

"What's so funny?" Jerrod asked Skylar when they reached us.

"Mila and I were just talking about-"

"Nothing," I said. "Girl stuff." I glared at Skylar, hoping she wouldn't keep going. She gave me a pointed look, her mouth curling into a smile, and I shook my head at her. For a second, she looked like she was going to embarrass me, but she pulled up her shoulders instead.

"Mind if we join you?" Ben asked.

I shook my head, and Skylar laughed again.

"Let's get a table," Jerrod suggested. We abandoned our seats at the bar. I nudged Skylar when the men turned their backs. She nudged me back. She wasn't going to get off this. I just hoped she wouldn't say something in front of Ben and Jerrod. But she was my best friend, and she knew how pissed off Jerrod would get. She would have my back. I was almost sure of it.

Almost.