Page 20 of Prairie Sky

“Did you want to go for a walk or perhaps take a drive with me? I can show you where I live,” he suggested, knowing she would probably appreciate a distraction.

“Do I have to get dressed?” she asked, lifting the blanket to expose her bare legs and body still covered in his oversized shirt.

He laughed with a mischievous twinkle in his eye. “As much as I love to see you in my shirt and would love to keep you naked all day, yes, I think clothes may be a good idea.”

Ever nodded, a grin on her face. She slid off his lap, stood and stretched. Turning to take his hand, she tried to pull him up, laughing, realizing there was no way she was going to make him budge. He smiled as she crashed back into him, and they laughed together. Conceding, he swooped her up in his arms, planted a chaste kiss on her lips and carried her up the stairs, her giggle echoing through the house.

Quickly they dressed. Ben slipping on his clothes from the night before, and Ever pulling on a short jean skirt, white Bon Jovi concert t-shirt, jean jacket and red Chucks. She pulled her hair up into a messy ponytail and he admired her in the full-length mirror. “Damn, you look cute!” he complimented as he spun her around and kissed her passionately. Releasing her, she giggled and wrapped her arms around him in a hug. “Pizza and a movie at my place?”

* * *

Seeing the Primrose town sign come into view, Ever smiled. She had been back in Primrose for a few weeks now and she had not realized how much she missed it. No matter where she landed in life, Primrose always felt like home and that realization made her happy. Happier than she had been a long time, if she was being honest with herself. Glancing at Ben, she knew he was the reason why. Ben felt like home.

Ben pulled his truck into the parking lot of the Eazy Café and Gas Bar and they both got out of the cab, meeting at the front of the truck. Stopping her, he flashed her a smile and intertwined his hand with hers.

“You realize when we go in there, everyone is going to start talking, right?” she informed him.

“Let them talk.” he shrugged without worry. “I can handle the talk. If anyone asks, I will say we are seeing each other.”

“So, like your girlfriend?” she asked in clarification.

“Do you want to be?” he asked, volleying back to her.

Ever stopped and put her crooked finger to her chin, tapping it in thought, and glanced at him playfully. “I guess it’s better than calling me your LOVER.” she enunciated the word, drawing it out.

Ben laughed and pulled her into him to tickle her sides. She giggled and squirmed. “Yes, I will be your girlfriend, Bear.”

Ben leaned down to kiss her softly and took her hand again as they made their way inside the Eazy together. They made their way to the back of the store to the video rental section, browsing the rows for something that looked interesting. Whispers around them made them chuckle as they agreed on a romantic comedy.

“I’m going to go get our pizza. Pepperoni fine?” he asked.

She nodded in agreement as she continued to peruse the back of one of the movie cases.

Suddenly, fingers poked her sides, startling her. She turned around to see Bea, clad in her work scrubs, hip cocked to the side and a look of “Where the hell have you been?” on her face. Amused, Ever smiled at her friend and shrugged with a laugh. Bea was so dramatic.

“I have been worried sick about you, young lady!” Bea scolded with a twinkle in her eye. “What have you been up to? Or should I ask, who have you been “UP” with?” she air quoted.

Ever glanced over to the pizza counter where Ben stood looking devilishly handsome as he waited for their pizza. He looked up, noticing Bea was with Ever and gave them one of his dashing smiles with a two-finger wave.

Bea looked from Ben to Ever, and back to Ben again. “No fucking way.” she whispered, pulling Ever into a corner. “So, you have bedded the big boy?” she asked, thrilled with this new tidbit of knowledge.

Ever laughed at her friend’s reference and nodded, knowing it was futile to keep secrets from her best friend. Bea squealed loudly with delight and then covered her mouth, knowing she was drawing attention to them. Ever laughed and flashed her a “be quiet” look.

“Details.” Bea urged, keeping her voice down. “I need details.”

“What are you two taking about?” Ben interrupted, holding a large pizza box.

Both girls giggled like teenagers and Bea looked up at Ben deadpan. “Just talking about your HUGE….” Bea started before Ever gave her a punch in the arm and her cheeks reddened in embarrassment. “Heart.” Bea finished, flashing them both a playful smile. “What did you think I was going to say?”

Ben let out a deep, hearty laugh and shook his head. Classic Bea. “Are you coming from work or headed to work?” he asked, pointing to her scrubs, and referring to her job as an Emergency Department Nurse at St. Augustine Regional Hospital.

“Headed to work. Was just filling up my car when I spotted you two. So, this is a thing now?” she asked, pointing to the two of them.

“It is.” Ben replied, slipping his arms around Ever from behind and kissing her cheek.

Bea smiled approvingly and laughed,“It’s about damn time!”

* * *

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