Page 55 of Yours and Mine (Friends with Benefits)

“I wouldn’t think that much in advance. Life has a funny way of making difficult choices for you. I mean, look at my parents. They divorced when I was just a baby, only to find each other again when I went to high school. You’ve known Nick your entire life, and he’ll be back. You two will grow stronger and appreciate each other that much more. In the meantime, have some fun. Get to know theyouthat you didn’t know existed. And more importantly, dance like there’s no tomorrow.” Molly smiled, pulling on the handle to open the door.

“Thanks, Molly.” I hugged my friend before we headed inside.

Music blasted through the barn; a local band was set up on the stage. Around us, red, orange, and yellow decorations filled the hall. Fresh flowers were propped in vases on each table, and white lights were strung around the perimeter and along the high beams above. Everyone was laughing, cheering, and dancing. The local firefighters had parked their fire truck halfway through the main barn door and, wearing their uniforms, were serving food from the hot containers their wives and other volunteers had prepared. At the end of the table, near the pies, cookies, and desserts, I noticed Marge’s fire engine cake that she’d donated, and smiled.

Soon enough, while rain poured outside, the party was in full swing, and no one cared that the wind was picking up and giant drops had started to hammer against the rooftop.

I was seated at a table with both Daisy and Molly. Carter was standing by the fire truck, talking to his father, Captain Clark, and then to Daisy’s father. They shook hands and patted each other’s backs in a way that men have perfected through evolution.

Molly and Daisy had taken on the mission to make me forget about Nick and cracked jokes one after another. It worked. I’d been laughing so hard that my stomach muscles were beginning to hurt, and I was sure I’d get a few permanent wrinkles.

“Good evening, ladies.” I heard an unfamiliar voice behind me and turned. A tall, handsome man stood with his head held high, a petite raven-haired girl under his arm. They both wore a pair of cowboy boots, hats, bandanas around their necks, and khaki pants complete with leather chaps and shiny belt buckles. And it wasn’t fake leather, either; I could smell its velvety aroma waft around us. Whoever had invited them to our fundraiser might have exaggerated our country clothing theme, but I loved it. The couple had class and carried their own atmosphere ofI can blend in anywherewith them.

“Well, you’re not from around here, are you?” Daisy scanned the fit new arrival from the bottom up as if he were the main course, completely ignoring the arm candy at his side. Carter would have to put that engagement ring on her finger before she ran away with this hunk. “Going to a Country Convention?”

“Daisy, don’t be rude. Hi, I’m Joelle. This is Daisy and Molly,” I said, introducing my friends.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He kept his back straight and bowed his head respectfully. “Fortunately we missed the invitation to the Convention, so tonight we’re privileged to spend time with you beautiful ladies. My name is Bennett Claremont, and this is Juliet Small.”

Swoon.Mr. Claremont definitely had a way with words.

“We’re acquaintances of Maxwell Clark,” he added in a proud and commanding tone.

Carter’s older brother? I didn’t know that Max knew anyone out of town, let alone someone with a personality that easily filled the barn. And may I add handsome? Yes, he was definitely easy on the eyes; hence the stunning date standing beside him, who looked familiar, and I wondered whether we’d met before. He carried himself with poise, like a businessman. No one in our town had manicured hands or an expensive watch. Yet despite the obvious wealth, I found the couple approachable.

“Maxwell mentioned a fundraiser and, well, what’s better than a good cause?”

This was the first time I’d heard anyone refer to Carter’s brother, a firefighter like his father, by his full name.

“Thank you for joining us, and welcome to Hope Bay,” I said.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Juliet extended her hand to each of us, her gray eyes captivating me. I had a feeling she was someone I could easily be friends with.

“Are you guys staying long? Because if you are, we can show you around town,” Molly offered.

“Thank you, but no. I’m just catching up with Maxwell. We went to college together.”

The band began a new song.

“Bennett, I love this song.” Juliet looked up adoringly at Bennett, and I got shivers over my arms. I’d always looked at Nick the same way.

“Well, it would be a shame to let a good song pass, wouldn’t it? Ladies” – he bowed his head again – “Enjoy your evening.”

Their walk to the center of the dance floor appeared synchronized. He twirled Juliet before showing off a polished, near-perfect two-step. Not in a bad way. Heck, if I could dance that well, I would.

“Look at those moves.” I felt my mouth drop open. I was sure that at this point everyone’s attention was on the new couple mastering the dance. Juliet was light on her feet, and Bennett couldn’t peel his gaze away from her.

I sighed, wishing Nick were here. This year away from him would be the longest of my life.

“That right there is top-dollar dance school.” Daisy nodded, approving of their moves. Or perhaps she was just checking out Bennett’s tight behind. Those chaps were so fitted I wondered how he was able to move like that.

“Come on, let’s join them!” Molly pushed away from the table.

“You don’t have to ask me twice to get another whiff of that expensively delicious perfume Juliet was wearing.” Daisy hopped off her chair.

Thunder sounded outside, and I jumped, along with a few others in the room. I saw a bright flash of lightning between the barn walls, and when the ladies at the table beside ours turned toward the door, I knew that I wasn’t the only one beginning to get concerned about the storm. This place was old, and I was afraid that a stronger wind would one day blow down the building. The barn was one of three in town that had been standing unoccupied for decades; another of them stood a field length behind our bakery.

I danced with the girls at first, then with Carter and Andrew and a few others before we formed a circle and, along with Bennett and Juliet, trotted to the center and back as if we’d practiced the steps for hours. At one point, the music quieted and Carter stepped in the middle of us all, with a plate and a cupcake on top. The ring was so nicely set in Marge’s frosting that you could only see its center in the middle — that is, if you knew it was there.

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