Page 35 of Resorting to Romance

I pull out the shop calendar and Mr. Snider and I line up a week’s worth of lessons. He wants two weeks, but I assure him Cody may not need them, and if he does, we can schedule them later. Mr. Snider pays, and his family leaves with Cody set to go out with me tomorrow at eight in the morning. After his lesson Noah will come—with Mila.

Thinking of her feels new and strange. After all we’ve beenthrough in the past two days, something shifted. I’ve never found myself picturing her as a man imagines a woman. I can’t stop myself from conjuring up the way she looked stepping out of Horizons wearing that flowing blouse, her hair down in brown waves. Even as distressed as she was, her warmth and natural beauty drew me to her from across the lobby.

I can easily recall the way she relied on me when she was stressed, tucked into my side where I’d do anything to keep her safe and help alleviate her fears. I picture the way she blushed when I told her I thought she looked beautiful. It was a simple compliment, but something felt different in the delivery and in the way she reacted.

We’re going to have to be careful with this charade. We’re two single adults. All this touching and pretending feels precarious at times. I’ll just have to remind myself she’s off limits—just like I always have.

“So, how was lunch? Did you go to Mila’s?” Ben’s words mercifully snap me out of my daydream.

He makes his way through the store until he’s standing only a few feet away from me. The man has no concept of personal space.

“Yes. As a matter of fact, I did. She made chicken salad croissants and lemonade.”

Ben’s smile says,Told you so.

“So?” he asks.

“Okay. You got me. Mila and I are … sort of dating. But we’re keeping things quiet. Noah’s not used to the idea of his mom seeing anyone. We don’t want to upset him unnecessarily.”

So far, most of that statement is at least slightly true. Mila and I are sort of dating, as in fake dating. That’ssort of, right? And we are definitely keeping things quiet, though Marbella residents and Alicante staff aren’t known for keeping juicy details about relationships quiet. We can only hope for the best. And, it’s true, we don’t want to upset Noah. He isn’t used to his mom dating. I feel pretty good after saying all that to Ben. None of it was a direct lie.

Ben literally rubs his hands together like he can’t contain his excitement. Then he lets out a whoop. “This is awesome!”

“Could you not? I thought you said you’d keep this on the D.L.”

“I am. I am.” He makes that infuriating zipping motion across his lips again. “I’m a vault. But right now, it’s just you and me out here, and I’m so stoked, bro. This is awesome. You and Mila. Think of it. If this gets serious—which, why wouldn’t it?—you’ll be Noah’s stepdad. Will you live at the inn? What will you do with Shaka when Bodhi and Mavs are traveling? Don’t worry, man. I’ll talk to Summer. We can pitch in with the dog. Unless Mila lets you take him to the inn with you. I don’t know how having a pet works when you’re living at an inn. Just know we’re here for you—me and Summer.”

I stare at Ben, feeling like I just got off the teacup ride at Disney. I don’t even know what to address first in that slew of insanity he just spewed out of his supposedly zipped lips. The worst part? I can almost see it. When he says all those things about me moving in with Mila, me taking care of Noah … it’s not impossible. Only, it is. And I need to remember that—big time. Like she said earlier about the rules: No catching feelings.

I won’t. This is just new. It’s an adjustment period. I’ll get used to touching her—kissing her. She did say kissing, didn’t she? I’ll deal. And I’ll remain firmly planted in the friend zone where I belong.

Ben claps me on the back. “I’m so happy for you, Kai. Really. This is just what you need. I told you—female companionship. But this is way better. Mila. You and Mila.” He shakes his head in disbelief.

“Okay. Well. Celebration time is over. Let’s get to work.”

“Man. You are a puzzle. If I were you—when I was you, and Summer finally caved and admitted her feelings for me—that’s a time to let all that oxytocin and dopamine fly free. Soak that stuff up! Indulge in all the gooshie feelings while you’re in the honeymoon stage. It’s like nothing you’ll ever feel again. Sure, you’lllove her for the rest of your life, but this early dating season, it’s special. Stop being so self-controlled and let yourself enjoy this.”

Honeymoon period? Gooshie feelings? Only Ben.

I do love Mila. But not the way Ben’s implying. I love her like a sister—like a good friend. What he’s describing … I don’t think that’s ever happened to me. I wonder if it ever would. Maybe that kind of experience is only for men like Ben who are over the top and full of bubbling emotions by nature.

“I’m not in love,” I clarify.

“Yet. Maybe. I’m guessing you might be and you haven’t given yourself the memo yet. Just don’t hold back. When you find a woman like Mila and she’s into you, you go for it. Don’t waste this opportunity.”

“Is this what it’s going to be like now: You acting like Dr. Phil every day? Is this your version of the zipped lip?”

Ben’s making me beyond nervous—on so many levels.

“Sorry. Sorry.” Ben holds his hands up. “This is me, going outside to rinse off the boards from today’s group lesson, boss.”

He gives me one more zipper motion for good measure. I’m going to have post-traumatic-zipper-disorder. I’ll flinch at the sight or sound of a common, everyday zipper. I wonder if I’ll even be able to fasten my own pants after today’s episodes with Ben.

Once Ben’s outside and I’m alone in the shop, I head to my small nook of an office at the back of the shop next to the dressing rooms. It’s so small only a tiny, two-drawer desk and a stool fit in here. But, it has a door, so I can shut myself in when I’ve had enough of everyone in the shop.

And that’s just what I do right now.

I’m working through payroll when a text from Mila comes through.

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