Page 55 of A Box of Wishes
“Why not? I can stock the counter and stuff.”
“I don’t doubt it, but you have a job, too.”
A rush of cold air filled the cab as Ben pushed open the door and stepped out. “You’re my job today,” he said. “I’ll stick to you like glue until my governor has talked to you.”
Ryan didn’t know why having Ben close by should feel so comforting. He just knew that it did.
Opening the cafe and handling the morning rush took all Ryan’s concentration and left him little time to spend with Ben. By the time Rebecca arrived, he felt wrung out.
“Go sit down,” she said once she understood why Ben was hovering nearby. “You need a cup of tea yourself.”
Ryan didn’t argue. All morning he’d been jumping at shadows and battling feelings of unease. None of which were helped by Ben growing quieter and more distant by the minute.
It hurt.
“Did I ruin things between us?” he asked when Ben had joined him in the nook.
Ben curled his palm to Ryan’s undamaged cheek and ran his thumb softly over Ryan’s lower lip until Ryan nipped at him. “Not as far as I’m concerned.”
“But you’re… pulling away.”
Ben busied himself with the teapot while he contemplated his answer. “You could see it that way,” he said.
“Tell me why?”
“Because I didn’t plan this. And I don’t want you to resent me for it.”
“Plan what? Offering me a safe place to sleep after some nutcase beat me up? Helping me back to sleep after Morris woke me? The first was as much out of your hands as it was out of mine. And the second was… lovely. I thought we both wanted it. I know I did.”
“I did, too.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“I was trying to finish my job first.”
“You’re not making sense.”
“No, I suppose not.” Ben sucked in a deep breath and blew it out. “There have been… complaints. Several over the last few years, usually during the winter. All claiming that you’re dealing drugs.”
“And nobody thought to mention that to me?” Ryan wanted to jump up and pace. Unfortunately, the coffeehouse was busy, and venting his frustration would upset his customers. Ryan leaned down and held out a hand, pleased as punch when Morris came and rubbed his chops against it. “I know, big boy,” he murmured, using Ben’s endearment for Morris. “You have cat ears. I promise I’ll keep my temper.”
“Nobody was accusing you.” Ben pulled a box of pills from his pocket and set it beside Ryan’s plate. “Take a couple. You’ll feel better for it.”
Ryan breathed out. Reminded himself that none of it was Ben’s fault and took the pills. “Tell me about the complaints. Am I a suspect?”
“You’d be amazed by the number of complaints we get. A lot of them are unsubstantiated gossip and spiteful nonsense, but we still have to follow up each and every one.”
“Doesn’t this waste police time?”
“Of course. If we can prove it was done deliberately, there are consequences. But that’s not what we’ve been talking about.”
“We’ve been talking about me being a drug dealer.”
“Ryan, no. Please.” Ben reached for Ryan’s hand and twined their fingers. “That play with the papers and the box made someone think you’re dealing drugs. We take that seriously. Add the break-in where nothing was stolen…”
“You think they were looking for drugs in my office?” Ben rubbed circles on Ryan’s wrist, sending little shivers rippling up and down his arm. The contact kept him calm. Calmer than he’d usually be if someone accused him of—
“Could be. It’s also possible that one of the local dealers wanted to make sure you weren’t playing on their turf. And if that’s the case, I’m grateful they didn’t ask questions later.”
