Page 35 of Just Enough

I wanted nothing more than to talk and help her, and just have her in my life.

So, I stayed safe. At a safe distance.

With another someone.

But that someone was bound to notice that she never truly had my attention. At least not completely.

_____

“That’s great, do you mind if I give her your email?” I asked Tiffany over the phone.

“It’s no problem. Can’t wait to help her!” Tiffany replied.

“Who are you talking to?” Tammy asked behind me. I turned around to see her arms crossed underneath her breasts with a scowl on her pretty face. A face I’d kissed many times over.

“Great, I’ll talk to you later.” I hung up. “That was Tiffany. She does graphic designs, I asked her if she could help with Emily’s book.”

Her scowl grew harder. “Why are you with me?” she asked suddenly.

“What?” I didn’t know how else to respond.

“When we first got together, I thought you looking after Emily was sweet and attractive, but now it’s not.” She dropped her hands to her sides and gave me a frown. “I don’t feel any sort of emotion from you when we’re together, but you’re full of it with the mention of Emily.”

“Tammy, I just want to help her.”

She tossed her hands up in the air. “You’re doing too much for someone that’s just a friend. Have you really never dated her?”

I scoffed. “I’ve never dated Emily.”

“But, you’ve wanted to.” I didn’t respond. “You would right now if she wanted you, wouldn’t you?” she accused, and I couldn’t fucking speak. I hated the look on her face. “You love her…. You’ve always loved her.” She wiped her eyes, but I forced myself to keep watching her break down. “That’s why you’ve never really been here with me. Because a part of you never truly leaves her—she gets to keep the best part.”

She walked toward me, and I took a step back. I felt uncomfortable now that she brought every truth to the surface. She grabbed my hands. “She’s with someone. She doesn’t think of you as anything other than a friend.” I was quiet as she probed my eyes for answers. “Choose right now.” My eyes widened. “Stay with me and stop talking to her…or choose her and remain just a friend.”

I looked down, and she sucked in a breath.

“Damn it, Ben, choose!”

My silence spoke enough. She gave herself a pitying laugh as she took a step back. “All this time—wasted. The sad truth was, I already knew.” She turned around and walked away. “I’ll come and get my things another time.”

I watched her go. I didn’t stop her.

I walked to the couch and flopped down. I couldn’t get Emily, but I didn’t feel bad for letting Tammy go.

She deserved more. I kept her longer than I should have.

Chapter 11

______

Emily

8 months prior…

I’ll be home tomorrow.

I jumped out of bed that morning after reading Benjamin’s text.

It’s been over a year since I’d seen him. He hadn’t even come home to see his parents, so they had to go visit him.

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