Page 18 of Only You and Me

I smile at him. “Of course, I remember you.” My eyes dart nervously between Ben and Joe. “Joe, this is Ben. Ben, meet Joe. He owns the company—Alero Construction—that’s been renovating the old apartments downtown.”

Joe reaches his hand out to shake Ben’s and Ben accepts it.

“So, this is the lucky bastard who beat me out in the auction tonight, huh?” Joe teases.

“I am.” Ben smiles, but it looks sad. “But it’s clear you’re the lucky one here,” he says to Joe, while holding my gaze. “I’ll leave her with you, then. Goodbye, Trina.”

My breath hitches as Ben walks away and Joe steps in and takes me in his arms. I can’t help but wonder why that goodbye felt more like an ending than everything that happened that fateful day so many years ago ever did. I don’t know why, but it scares me.

“I’m surprised to see you here,” I say, trying to make small talk as I watch Ben walk over to his table and grab his suit jacket.

“I passed the fire station on my way back to my short-term rental every evening while we were on the job and saw the signs for the fundraiser. I lost a nephew to muscular dystrophy, so it’s a cause close to my heart.”

I pull my eyes away from watching Ben to look at Joe. “I’m so sorry. Thank you for coming and supporting the cause.”

“It’s my pleasure,” he says. “Especially since I’m getting to dance with you.”

I smile at him.

I let my eyes roam to find Ben again, and I trail him with my gaze as he walks out the door. My heart drops and I try to remind the traitorous bitch that this is for the best, but I just can’t muster the energy.

“So, are you still working on the project?” I ask, trying to give my attention back to the man I’m dancing with.

“Actually, we finished two days ago. We’re moving on to another renovation a few towns away, starting next week.”

“Oh, well, that’s good, right? For business, I mean.”

“Yeah, but I wish I was going to be around here longer.” When I glance up at him, he smiles at me, and I try not to look for any hidden meaning in his words. Maybe he simply really likes Elladine. “I wanted to check in on you before I left and make sure Guy hasn’t been causing you any problems.”

“Guy?” I ask, confused.

Joe chuckles and I can’t help but notice how handsome he is, especially when he’s laughing. “I’ll take that as a no. Guy is the young man who so rudely disrespected you the day you came by.”

“Ah. The one you fired for that?” I lift a questioning eyebrow.

“I did. I don’t tolerate that kind of disrespect. He’s not a bad kid, but he lacks good sense on his best days. On his worst days… well, let’s just say I wanted to make sure he left you alone.”

“I haven’t heard anything from him at all. So, no worries.”

“Well, even if you do once I leave town, you have my number. I’m friends with his father, so if he gives you any trouble, let me know and I can help nip it in the bud.”

“Thanks, that’s kind of you, but I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

The song ends, but Joe makes no move to stop dancing with me and I go with it. Maybe it’s time I try to let go of the past and look to my future. I lied to Ben. I do still want a family of my own and I’m certainly not going to get that by living with ghosts of the past.

“Trina?”

“I’m sorry? Did you say something?”

Joe smiles. “Yes, I asked if the man you were dancing with was someone you’re seeing.”

“Ben? Oh, no. Gosh, no. Just an acquaintance. We hang out in the same friend circle. Nothing more.”

“Hmm.”

“What does that mean?” I pull back a bit so I can see his face better.

“It just looked like he hoped for more. That’s all.”

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