Page 90 of Only You and Me

“Are you all right?” Her concerned expression is comforting.

“Yup, um, of course. Just hoping the food is good.”

“I’m sure it will be delicious.”

We spend the next few minutes eating and making small talk.

When we’re done eating, John leans back and pats his belly. “This was an amazing breakfast, Trina. Those eggs are as good as Rose’s.”

Rose smiles and I feel my cheeks heat as I smile. “Thank you. She taught me everything I know.”

Ben clears his throat, then he slides his hand across the short distance on the tabletop to clasp mine. I glance over at Rose, only to find her gaze fixed on our joined hands. “Mom and Dad?—”

“Please, let me.” I peek over at Ben, and he’s got a sweet smile on his face and the brightness in his eyes tells me he’s pleased. I turn back to his parents. “Ben and I wanted to have breakfast with you because we enjoy your company, but there’s also something we want to tell you.” I focus on Rose. “Please don’t be upset that we didn’t tell you this before—that’s totally my fault, not Ben’s—but…” My words get stuck in my throat and I can’t seem to force them out. I peer over at Ben, and he nods encouragingly. I turn my eyes back on his parents. “Ben and I are married.”

Mr. Donley’s mouth drops open, and his eyes widen in surprise, but Rose just grins like the Cheshire cat.

“I suspect there’s more to this story?” Rose asks.

The stress melts right off me once I realize there’s no hint of hurt or anger in her voice.

“Well, yes. Sort of. How it happened was a little unconventional. Let’s just say tequila and Las Vegas, and that probably summarizes it. But why it happened is probably more important.”

I look over at Ben and the corners of his mouth turn downward, his squinting eyes fill with questions. I know that this is my chance to let him see that I’m proud we got married. To let him see that I’m happy for people to know that we’re together and that I love him. I’ve done a lot of thinking in the last week or so and have a new perspective on all that happened between Ben and me all those years ago. My heart breaks for the young man I fell in love with back then, but never realized how my hesitancy to tell people about us would make him feel. I want to make that right.

I angle my body toward him and fix my eyes on his.

“It happened because no matter how much I tried to get your son out of my heart all those years ago and all the years since, what I felt for him followed me. Yes, there was a lot of alcohol involved, but it was because of my heart that I end up married to your son. Because my heart still held some love for him. And it was because of his heart and the man he is—and the way he’s loved me even when I fought against it—that I ended up falling deeply back in love with him over these last few months.”

Ben’s eyes are glossy as I speak and, when I’m finished, a single tear escapes and trickles down his cheek. He’s quick to brush it away and leans in, then kisses me. We get lost in the kiss, our mouths opening in search of more, and Ben slips his hand up and into my hair.

“I love you so much,” he whispers against my mouth.

It makes me whimper and I move my body closer to him, forgetting we have an audience.

But then I hear John quietly ask Rose, “What do we do? Should we leave?”

“No, they’ll remember we’re here soon,” Rose answers matter-of-factly.

Ben chuckles and breaks the kiss.

When I realize that in the heat of passion, I was just about to climb into his lap without remembering his parents were here, I bury my face in his shoulder. A hot sensation fills my cheeks and I’m sure I’ll die if I look at them.

Ben kisses me on the head and tenderly grips me under the chin to turn my face back toward them all.“It’s okay.” His smile might be the brightest I’ve ever seen on his gorgeous face.

“Sorry,” I direct at Rose and John.

“No need to be, Trina. You’ve made me one very happy mother today. My son gets to be with the woman he’s always loved, and I… I get something I’ve wanted since pretty shortly after I got to know you.”

“What’s that?” My voice is hushed.

“I get you as a daughter.”

CHAPTER32

BEN

Rachel and I have been staring at the evidence pinned to the wall in our office for the last thirty minutes, trying to find some pattern that will lead us to a break in Trina’s case.

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