Page 38 of Cups of You

“Is that for me?”

He forced himself to turn away instead of following her through the window. Jackie was looking at him with a knowing grin. Hiding the fact that Amber captured his attention whenever she was in the room was pointless especially with her.

“You know it.” He set the cup down in front of her and then slid into the chair across the table. “Ms. Jay, can I ask you something?”

She took a sip of her hot chocolate and smiled. “Sure baby.”

“Would I be a horrible person for…” He trailed off as he thought of a delicate way of putting it. He didn’t want to come off like a creep. “I like Amber.”

“Well, that’s been obvious sugar.”

“Right.” He chuckled and looked down crossing his arms on the table. “So, I know it’s only been a few days since the whole breakup, and she’s probably stressed about figuring things out. But would I be in the wrong for pursuing her?”

“Well now, that depends. Would you have pursued her if she and Josiah stayed together?”

Benjamin reeled back at the thought. “Never. I promise. If she was still dating—”

Jackie held her hand up stopping his stream of words. “And if she decides in a few months that she doesn’t want to stay here in town, say she wants to go back to Chicago or another city, what then? Would you guilt her into staying for your business and your career?”

He sat back. That was a tough question to answer. His business was here in Millensville as was everything Olivia was involved with. He couldn’t ask her to make a sacrifice and uproot her life again any more than he could ask Amber to forgo any possible opportunities elsewhere.

He just didn’t have an answer.

“Honestly, I don’t know what I would do if that decision came up. But I wouldn’t guilt Amber for following her dreams.” He looked up at Jackie. “If she wanted to leave, I wouldn’t try to stop her.”

She searched his face for a moment though he wasn’t sure what she was hoping to find. With a sigh, she took another sip of her chocolate. “Truthfully, I would probably be the one to try to guilt her into staying.” She gave him a small smile at his look of surprise.

In all the time she and Benjamin had talked about Amber, she had never expressed a desire to ask Amber to come back. He had just always assumed it had been discussed between the women previously and the decision made long ago.

“Why?”

She laughed. “Oh honey, the same reason I know you wish Olivia would stay close even though you will let her go if she chooses. Amber is my one and only baby.” Jackie’s smile grew soft, and Benjamin unconsciously leaned forward. “I was never able to have my own kids, so Amber is all I got left. It was heaven and hell watching her go the first time, and I think if she goes again, I might have to go with her.”

That was surprising to Benjamin. “Really? Even if she decides to go back to Chicago? You would really leave Millensville?”

“As much as I love my home,” she replied. “I love Amber more. If she wanted me there, there I would be. Now, I might not leave the house much because I don’t know how I feel about that many people being around me at once, but I would try for her.”

He nodded. He could understand the sentiment since it was something his parents had expressed more than once especially after Shannon had had her first child.

“But, it is something you need to be prepared for if you go on and try to woo my niece.”

Benjamin raised his eyebrows. “You’re still okay with me pursuing her even though I don’t have an end game planned?”

Ms. Jay shrugged. “Most people don’t other than vague notions of happily growing old together. Everything else is up for conversation and debate. But,” she emphasized. “Be honest with her and be honest with yourself. Don’t let your mouth write a check you know your butt can’t cash.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She leaned forward and reached across the table patting his cheek. “That’s my Bennie.” Jackie leaned back and settled in. “Now, can I get one of those banana nut muffins? My sweet tooth is tingling.”

Benjamin chuckled and stood up. “Of course.” He walked over to the counter.

“And Bennie?”

“Ma’am?”

“Good luck.”

“Are you sure about this?”

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