Page 39 of Cups of You

Benjamin thought about the question before responding. It was the same question he had been pondering for the better part of the day.

After his conversation with Jackie, the shop had gotten busier with a group coming in from the community college. He hadn’t been able to do much in the way of goodbyes other than wave at Amber and Jackie from behind the counter. It hadn’t stopped his heartbeat from jumping when Amber smiled at him and that little gesture had made the day seem even brighter.

Still, it rankled that Sam was asking the same question that had been floating around in his head.

The logical part of him was saying to stay away before he fell further into feelings that might never be returned, but the part of him that still believed in happy endings was the louder voice, and that was the voice inside of him that he wanted to listen to. It had been so long since he felt even the faint stirrings of wanting something more and he knew he would forever regret it if he didn’t at least give Amber a chance to reject him.

“Bleak dad.” He pushed his focus outward gaze landing on Olivia.

“What?”

“That last bit,” Randy replied. “Whatever you were thinking man. We heard that last bit about spilling your guts for at least getting a rejection.”

Benjamin felt his cheeks heat. “Yes, well…”

“She wouldn’t reject you dad,” Olivia said.

She looked so utterly confident that he couldn’t help but reach over and tuck her into his orbit. She allowed it hugging back before pushing him away.

“Besides, my friends Leigh Ann and Constance keep telling me how hunky you are now that you’ve forgotten to shave, so at least you have the man beard going for you.”

Without thinking, he reached up and scratched his fingers through his beard His ex-wife had always mentioned how much she hated the feeling of it brushing against her chin, so he used to shave daily. It was only recently he started going longer between shaves and he was liking the results.

He wondered what Amber thought about it.

“You’re thinking about her again.”

“What?” He dropped his hand lips turning down. “I wasn’t.”

Sam smiled. “You were.”

“How can you tell?”

Randy frowned. “You get this weird look on your face.”

Sam gave him a bland look. “It’s called happiness dear.” She looked back at Benjamin. “Ignore him. It’s cute.”

“I’m with Uncle Randy on this one,” Olivia said. She stood up and gathered her books and papers. “I’m glad you’re shooting your shot dad. Let me know what I need to wear for the wedding.”

Benjamin sputtered. “I think you have moved a few too many years ahead Bean.”

She shrugged. “Just letting you know I am one-hundred percent on board with operation get me a stepmom.” She saluted them. “Now, I’m going to go call the friends and inform them that you are old and also off the market forever.”

“You do that.”

Benjamin watched her leave and shook his head. “I really don’t understand teenagers.”

“Completely different species.”

“Now. Since you are deciding to go forward with this plan, how are you going to sweep the youngest Jones off her feet and convince her to stick around?”

Benjamin pursed his lips. “I mean, I just thought I would tell her I liked her and ask her out.” He trailed off when he saw Randy and Sam shake their heads. “What? Not a good plan?”

They shared a look before turning back to him. “I think maybe you should amp up the befriending before launching straight into ‘I love you’.”

“I wouldn’t tell her that now,” Benjamin exclaimed.Love? What the heck guys?“I don’t fall in love that fast.”

“We know that,” Sam insisted. “But you do tend to wear your emotions on your sleeve, Benji. The only reason she probably hasn’t realized you like her is because she’s been so busy with her aunt and the ex who should be shot on sight.”

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