Page 111 of Marked By the Pack
“That’s definitely not what I’m trying to say. And what about what happened last night makes you think we’re just friends?”
He’d touched me. In the middle of the bank. I’d loved every second of it. But… “You were just making a point to your friends.”
“There are other ways to make a point. I did that because I wanted to. I’ve wanted to for a while actually.”
What?I just stared at him. “But you wanted me to set you up with Emma.”
He laughed. “I never asked you to do that. If you don’t recall, you practically had to beg me to go on that blind date.”
I pressed my lips together. Yeah, I did remember. “Because you thought she must be hideous or something. But she’s not. And you still like her…”
“Zoey. I only mentioned Emma because she said something to me yesterday that made me realize what a dick I’ve been to you. When I originally told you that I was looking for something serious, I wasn’t turning you down. I was legit asking you if you wanted something serious with me. Because I likedyou. And you told me that you weren’t looking for anything serious and immediately said your friend was coming to town and that I should meet her. And after talking to Emma, she made me realize thatyouthought thatIturned you down. But Zoey…I thoughtyouturnedmedown.”
“I wasn’t turning you down. I just…thought you’d never be interested in someone like me.”
“Someone like you?” He smiled. “Someone smart, and confident, and brave, and beautiful?”
I couldn’t even hide my smile. “But what about Emma?”
“What about Emma? She and I are done.”
“You only just broke up.”
“Honestly?” He sighed. “I think I liked the idea of what we could be more than I actually liked her.” He looked over his shoulder at his friends at the grill. “The five of us have travelled a lot. We’re ready to settle down. And I’ve been picturing what that could mean in my head for so long that I just wanted to get to that point.”
“So you weren’t in love with her?”
“No, I wasn’t in love with her. And I want us to be able to move past this. Yes, I dated your friend. But I liked you first, Zoey.”
He liked me first?
His eyes searched mine.
It was like he was waiting for me to respond, but I didn’t know what to say. He’d taken me by surprise. I couldn’t believe he thought I’d turned him down. I’d definitely thought the exact opposite.
Bennett cleared his throat. “Well, I should go help them before they burn something.” He stood up to walk over to the grill.
But I grabbed his hand.
“I liked you first too.”
This time, he didn’t say anything.
I stood up and intertwined my fingers with his. “When you first moved to town, I had the biggest crush on you.”
He smiled. “Yeah?”
“Oh, don’t look so full of yourself.” I lightly pushed on his chest
He caught my hand before I could pull it away.
And we just stood there. One of my hands against his chest and my other hand holding his.
“What are you thinking?” he asked.
I bit the inside of my lip. “Honestly?”
He nodded.
