Page 2 of The Benefits of Love (As I Am 2)

“I’mjoking again. Stay for half an hour, an hour, ten minutes—totally up to you.”

“Ugh, sorry. Life has been stressful for, what, four years since Istarted my business?” Islumped back in the chair, giving him apartial excuse. The rest of it, meaning me working on getting over his rejection, that Ikept to myself.

“Yeah.” He signaled to the waitress as we both sat down. “Owning abusiness does that to aperson.”

“Seriously, today I’ve been up since five in the morning, catching up on my deadlines to make it in time to see Erin.” Iflopped my head on the table and mumbled, “And she’snot even here.”

The waitress came and took our drink orders from Zach. Ifelt her hovering over me after he finished.

Eventually she asked in aslightly French accent, “Hey, everything okay?”

Iraised my head, plastering asmile on my haggard face that was supposed to soothe the young blonde who bore avery serious expression. “Yeah, thanks. Just tired.” Igave her two thumbs-up and nearly broke my jaw with the widest grin you’dever seen.

She scrunched her nose, but left anyway.

Zach choked on alaugh. “You were saying?”

“Ugh, never mind.”

He cleared his throat, mustering asomber expression. “No, please continue.”

“Nothing, Ijust…” My hands dropped from the table to my lap. “Ihave aton of work to do.”

“And you’re stuck with me instead.” He said the statement as afact more than an accusation.

“It’snot like I’msuffering.” Iinhaled, thinking of something nice to say that wouldn’tsend even the slightest message that Iwas still interested. “And you’re not bad company.”

“Thanks, Laur. You’re not bad either, but yeah, Ifeel you.” He placed his forearms on the table, leaning forward. “When I’mnot in the office or answering emails or calls on my phone, I’mstill working up here.” He tapped on his forehead. Ishared the sentiment, sometimes even too well.

At the changed tone of his voice, to being resigned and very un-Zach-like, Ilooked at him for the first time today. Not the quick glance Igave him, but areal, hard one, and Irealized that despite his jokes, despite his carefully ironed white polo shirt and pressed navy-blue pants, he looked just like me, deflated. His short, dark hair was amess, the bags under his eyes were prominent, and alight stubble was covering his normally shaved jaw.

Imissed all of it while I’dbeen busy being upset with him.

His lips twitched. “Get agood look?”

He startled me out of my perusal, and Ireturned my focus up to his eyes. “You’re tired.”

“Feels like looking in the mirror, doesn’tit?” The drinks arrived, and he raised his beer to mine. “To the glamorous life of abusiness owner.”

We clinked our glasses, and Itook abig gulp of my wine. It tasted delicious and Ihoped the rest of the evening would be as soothing as the effect it had on me.

Zach had other plans. “Are you seeing anyone?”

Opting for the mildly honest answer, without sharing the debacle that was my romantic life, Isaid, “No, Ibarely have time to see myself, let alone another person.”

“That’sagood one. I’mgoing to use it.”

Itook another sip from my glass and shrugged. “Be my guest.”

His eyes squinted as he surveyed me. “You sure that being busy is the only reason?”

“You’re calling me aliar?” My eyes narrowed.

“Not at all,” he corrected himself, still smiling though. “You’re gorgeous, intelligent, and run your own business. Ican’tsee anyone with half abrain not wanting to date you.”

Oh, really?

He continued, “And even you must have some time in your busy schedule to see someone.”

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