Page 59 of Just Enough

He stepped into our small kitchen with me and leaned against the counter next to the stove. “Who knows? Maybe she thinks I’ll be a better boyfriend now that I’m older.”

I gave him a soft gaze. “Stop. You’re great. You might not have given her a lot of your time in high school, but you’re a catch.”

“Look at you, giving me compliments. You’re the one that said I didn’t bone her right, remember that?”

I blushed and looked down at the stove. “Well, I didn’t say you’d be a good lay.” This entire conversation was slightly awkward since I couldn’t stop thinking about what he’d be like in bed. I’d never had great sex in my life—maybe that was my problem—and my frustrations were taking it out on me in the form of torturing me over fantasizing about my best friend. “I do know that you’re a good guy. You’re loyal and protective. Good qualities.”

“Not really. It’s my protective nature over you that gets me in trouble with every girlfriend.”

Straight to the heart.

I ignored him and grabbed the pan to drain the grease out. “What? No telling me that I should be more considerate of who I’m with?” Why was he saying that? Good God! “Jesus, Emily, you’re shaking. Give it to me before you burn yourself.” He took it from my hands and I stepped away to get my breath back. He looked back at me while I did. “What’s wrong? You’ve been weird lately.”

I grabbed the back of my neck. “I’m fine. I just haven’t eaten, so it’s making me a little woozy,” I mumbled.

“You’re always making me worry,” he hissed.

I straightened my spine. “Well, sorry for making you worry. I don’t ask to be babied!” I started stomping out of the kitchen.

“Whoa, Emily.” He grabbed my hand. Even that wrecked me. “Chill out.”

“Don’t tell me to chill. You chill.” A ghost of a smile appeared on his face. “Don’t be annoying,” I gritted out. “Stop coddling, seriously. You make me feel like a kid all the time.”

“I can’t help it.”

I huffed and turned my head away from him, acting like a brat.

He looked at me like I was absurd. “And I don’t treat you like a kid.”

“Let’s just finish making the tacos, I’m hungry.” I grabbed the tomato on the counter and rinsed it off. “I’ll cut the tomato, you can finish with the meat.” I told him as I grabbed the knife.

“How about I use the knife instead—” He shut up when he saw the death glare I was giving him.

I couldn’t stand him coddling me, knowing that he saw me as something like a younger sister he had to watch over. It was so damn depressing. Why couldn’t he see me differently in the way I saw him anew?

It wasn’t fair.

I couldn’t stop these feelings.

Chapter 19

_______

Benjamin

2 months and two weeks prior…

“I think it’sapparent Gorilla Ben and Rosie need to mate.”

I sat on the couch next to Emily and hovered while she typed on her laptop. I absently thought it was time to buy her a new one. When she turned to glare, her eyes caught mine and mingled. My face was close enough to smell her coconut shampoo and see the gold specks in her green eyes. She leaned in closer and sniffed, placing my mouth right at her ear. “You go to the gym after work?” Then she leaned away once more, and I was reeling from the slight thrill of having her so close.

Yet, so far…

“Maybe,” I said. “Why? You trying to say I need a shower.”

“No. Of course not. This will be good female repellent. I’d rather not share our living space with another woman.”

I cocked my head at her. “What? What happened to living with me when I got married?”

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