Page 27 of Planning on Happily Ever After

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Ben

Ben exhaled and noddedat his computer screen, pleased with a job well done. He had just finished helping Kelly finalize her plans for the video game she wanted to present to their supervisor. Gameplay elements, hardware requirements, and a rough design for the different worlds that would be possible if Camelot decided to pick up her game,Huntresswere ready to go.If everything went according to her plan, Kelly’s game would be next on their docket, only this time the two of them would be leads.

The thought of being in charge of a whole team still caused Ben a little apprehension, but he would no longer break out in a cold sweat when he imagined what it would be like to be the decision-maker. He attributed some of this to his being far more social lately, having attended another virtual happy hour with his coworkers last week. Ben hadn’t made so much progress that he could be considered the life of the party, but he didn’t stay silent the entire time either, making the occasional observation and asking his coworker, Omar, how his husband was doing. The man looked positively shocked that Ben had not only remembered he had a significant other, but that he asked about him by name.

When the evening had finally ended, Ben felt almost as relaxed as he would have if he had stuck to his typical Friday night routine of ordering a pizza and watching a movie. Ben had even had Henry over for gaming the next night, and it only took him a few hours to recharge his social battery on Sunday. He was proud of himself, and while he knew he deserved most of the credit, he also realized that a lot of his ease around others was because of the time he’d spent with Holly. Every time they were together, he felt lighter, settled in his own body, and open to exploring other possibilities.

Ben had been pretty amazed that he had been able to flirt with her so easily. A wide smile came across his face as he remembered how flustered she got anytime he would make a sly remark or get close to her. Though, Holly hadn’t been flustered at all when she went in for that kiss, nor when they had gone slightly further back at her place. Ben exhaled and shifted in his seat as he remembered the way her soft lips felt against his own, how her tongue had eagerly explored his mouth, and just how right she felt in his arms—and underneath his body.

When she’d stiffened like a board, however, all her bravado seemed to melt away, taking his arousal along with it. Ben never wanted Holly to feel uncomfortable with him, and if taking things slowly physically as well as emotionally kept her near him, he was more than happy with the arrangement. Ben wanted something real and lasting with her, not just a quick hook-up to satisfy their baser urges, and while Henry coming home had been ill-timed, it was also a good reminder of how to handle things.

Ben gave Holly and himself some space by leaving, but he still felt the need to talk to her the moment he got home.

Ben: Have you thought of your band name yet? I’m thinking Atomic Sunshine.

Ben was already smiling when three dots started bouncing on his screen.

Holly: I like it. It sounds a lot better than what I came up with.

When no other text came through, Ben nudged her, wanting to hear everything she had to say, no matter how silly or seemingly insignificant.

Ben: Don’t keep me hanging in suspense.

Holly: Fine. Don’t laugh, but I was going with Glitter Puppies. Like a girly pop band where we all have hair a different color of the rainbow and wear sparkly outfits.

Chest rumbling with laughter at the image of Holly with bright pink hair and a skirt shining in sequins, Ben eagerly typed out his reply.

Ben: I like it. Sounds very you.

Holly: Thank you. Shall we keep our getting to know you game going?

Their texting lasted long into the night, Ben discovering that the two of them actually had a surprising amount of likes and dislikes in common. They both enjoyed watching baseball, though Holly was less pleased about that once he mentioned he was a Yankees fan. They went back and forth for a while about which team was better, the Yankees or the Sox, before finally agreeing to disagree. Once they had put that argument to bed, they discovered they also both appreciated a good nature hike, combat video games, and action movies, though Holly admitted to enjoying them mostly for the romantic subplot.

Despite that last memory being a slightly unpleasant one, it had been a wonderful night, and as he lay in his bed and replayed every interaction from that day in his mind, he kept coming back to one thing, their first kiss and the look in Holly’s eyes when it was over. It was an image that would stay with him for a long time. Her expression had been blissful, and her bright, blue eyes seemed to be filled with a kind of intense affection, almost a look of love. Of course, it was way too soon for that.Wasn’t it?

Ben wasn’t sure what name he would put to his feelings for Holly, only that they were powerful and now that he had them, he didn’t want them to ever go away. Every time he thought about her, texted her, or chatted with her over the phone at night, a warm feeling would settle in his chest and he felt more at peace than he had in his whole life. If that was what love felt like, then Ben was falling hard and fast.

His phone chimed and he grabbed it off the desk, hoping it was the woman he had just been thinking about and smiling when he saw a notification with her name on it.

Holly: Hey, handsome. Remember to be at the bakery at four o’clock today for the cake tasting. Can’t wait to see you! xx

Ben’s grin widened at the nickname she had thrown around the last few times they talked. Ben knew he was an all right looking guy, but he didn’t think he was anything super special. If she wanted to call him handsome though, he wasn’t going to stop her, and with as anxious as he had felt all of his life, he could certainly use the ego boost. Glancing at the clock, Ben cheered internally at having just enough time for a quick shower.

Ben: I’ll be there, sunshine. Can’t wait to see you, either.

Ben logged off his computer, grateful for his flexible work hours, and made the short walk from his home office over to his master bathroom for a quick clean up, not wanting to miss a moment with Holly but still wanting to look his best for her. After toweling off and dressing in dark wash jeans and a charcoal gray Henley, he idly wondered if his mom would pick up on the new dynamic between him and her wedding planner.

As he styled his hair, he ultimately decided that it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world if she did, though she would have them married off and with three kids in the next four years. Ben stilled at that thought and looked at himself in the mirror, expecting to see panic. Instead, he was surprised to see serenity in its place. He looked almost happy at the idea, and as he stared at himself, he also realized he’d started dressing more comfortably around Holly, too.Huh.She’d somehow wiggled her way past his usual defenses and he wasn’t even mad about it.

As the sense of his new reality settled over him like a warm blanket, Ben hummed happily to himself as he slipped on his sneakers and jacket before heading out to his SUV. The drive to Baker’s Bakeshop wasn’t a long one, and before he knew it, he was pulling into the back parking lot, exiting his vehicle at the same time his mom exited her sedan. She looked as happy as she always did, but also a bit tired. Her usual bright expression was subdued, and her brown eyes were turned down at the corners, light purple shadows underneath.

When she stepped up to Ben, she let out a heavy sigh as she gave him a hug. “Hey, Benny. It’s good to see you.”

“It’s good to see you too, mom.” Ben hugged her tightly and for the first time in his life, he felt how frail his mom actually was. She had always been petite, but her personality was so formidable that you never really noticed her being anything but larger than life. Today, however, she looked her age and seemed weary. Ben kissed the top of her head and pulled back, looking at her with concern. “Everything okay?”

She waved off his query and strode toward the front of the bakery. “Oh, yes. Everything is fine. There were just a couple of real tough ones today is all. Three root canals and an embedded tooth extraction are enough to exhaust even a seasoned veteran like me.” She smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. Ben could tell she was holding something back.

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