Page 39 of Elusive Promise

"Anika mentioned that." She licked her lips, happy they'd zeroed in on Ben but not wanting to raise any alarm bells. "How is Ben handling everything? Is he staying with you?"

"Not tonight. He told Elizabeth he wanted to stay with friends, get his mind off the terrible events of last night. None of us slept at all."

"I know the feeling. Do you think Ben will be home tomorrow? I want to talk to him about something."

"He should be back sometime in the morning. What did you want to speak to him about?"

She searched her brain for a good and unalarming reason for her to want to talk to Ben. "When Jasmine and I were talking upstairs, she mentioned Ben was feeling down after a romance in Paris that didn't go well. She wanted to give him a book of poetry that had helped her when she'd gone through a breakup, and she thought it might do the same for Ben. She'd actually written a personal note to Ben on the inside cover. I was looking at it when the air went bad and everything went nuts. When I got to the hospital, I still had the book in my hands. It seemed like a sign that I was meant to pass it along. I was thinking it might help Ben get through this, too."

"That's very thoughtful."

"It's Jasmine who was thoughtful. She was worried about Ben. Did he tell you what happened?"

"He hasn't spoken to us about any failed romance, but then he doesn't share his romantic life with us at all."

"I think her name was Sara."

"Sara? Hmmm. He dated someone named Sara back in Bezikstan, but that was a long time ago."

"Perhaps they reconnected."

"Maybe Ben told Elizabeth about it," Neil said. "If you want to bring the book by tomorrow, I'm sure Ben would appreciate having something that Jasmine thought was important for him to read."

"I'll do that."

"Are you sure you're all right, Parisa? Is there anything I can do for you?"

"No, I'm good. I just want Jasmine to come home."

"She will. You must not give up hope or faith. It's what gets us through the hard times. We must continue to believe that all will be as it is meant to be."

"I'm trying to stay positive. I'll see you tomorrow."

"I look forward to it."

She disconnected the phone and looked across the counter at Jared. She'd deliberately avoided his gaze while making up her elaborate story. It was easier to lie without an audience.

"That was impressive," he said, a gleam in his eyes. "A book of poetry that Jasmine had inscribed just for Ben to heal his broken heart. Who could refuse that? How long did it take you to concoct that story?"

"About ten seconds."

"And you think I'm the better liar?"

"I didn't say you were better. I just said youwerea liar."

"Good point."

"At any rate, it looks like we can talk to Ben tomorrow."

"If he comes home."

"Do you have resources who might be able to find him tonight?"

"My resources have been coming up empty on that front."

"Then I guess we have to wait. Is that steak done, because I'm starving?"

"It's ready. Why don’t we eat at the table?"

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