Page 73 of Enemies with Benefits

Hannah’s eyes light up. She claps her hands together. “So, youdolike him. Tell me everything.”

“Thatnever came out of my mouth.” I turn and head back toward the couch. “You heard what she said. He was flirting with her hardcore that night, only to show up at my door and fool me into sleeping with him.Again.” I look over at Hannah, who’s gone completely mute. Her jaw drops so far, you can practically hear it slamming against the floor. Shit. I single-handedly opened that can of worms. I sit down, groaning at the throb in my thigh.

“I’m sorry,what?”

Ugh! I brush my hands down my face. “I don’t want to get into it.”

“You just admitted you’ve had sex with Ben.TheBen. And you don’t want toget into it? Mak, this is huge news. Not sure if it’s good or bad news, but it’s huge. You two. . . well, you used to hate each other, and it got pretty ugly. Even as of late, you have been at each other’s throats. I mean, I won’t lie. The sexual tension has been so thick, we’re all choking on it, but I never realized you two wentthatfar.” She throws herself into the seat next to me. “I may need a moment to process.”

“Don’t hurt yourself. It’s not worth it. Clearly, from what Jenny told us, he’s just playing me. I’ve had enough of those types of men.” Ben was so genuine when he showed up at my door that night. His confessions. I felt his truth. His fierceness. He knew what he wanted. And he made it out like that was me.

“You know. . . I don’t want to talk bad about your friend, but I’m not sure what she said about Ben is true.”

I turn to Hannah. “What do you mean?”

“Well, when you were at the bar, he barely looked her way. Unless she insisted. He was all about you. Even when he was scowling like a baby, he still had that look in his eyes. You know, theI’m mad and pouty but still want youlook?”

I shake my head. “Give me a break.”

“I’m serious. I’ve been watching you two. Just observing. Trust me, I never would have agreed to let him take you in if I didn’t think he had good intentions. Anywho, her comment about him throwing pick-up lines at her. . . I just don’t see it happening. When you left, Ben looked murderous. Well, not murderous, but like someone took away his favorite toy. The wheels were spinning, then he popped up and said he was leaving. He had no plans on driving Jenny home, but she hooked herself to him, insisting. If Ben hadn’t been so worried about looking like a jerk, he would have left her there. My point is, she said he was hitting on her at the bar, and that’s not true. I can't vouch for what happened when he drove her home, but her story doesn’t seem right to me.”

I rest my head against the couch. My mind spins with questions—none I really want the truth to. Was he really flirting with her?

“What’s going through that head of yours?”

“Wondering if it’s really that big of a deal to drink wine right now.”

“Stop. I’m serious.”

I twist to face her. “I don’t know what to think. If he was flirting with her, why is he going through all this trouble with me?”

“Girl, because he likes you. He bargained things he’s never even considered putting on the line.”

“Like a signed football?”

“He told you? That cheater.”

“Well, I think he told me to help make sure he doesn’t break the terms of your agreement. Two fighting toward a cause is better than one, ya know?”

“Mak, I’m no love expert. Well, maybe I am. I seem to have a hand in everyone's love life. But I can honestly say I believe in Ben on this one. I think he has good intentions. And I know he wants something with you. I mean, who goes through all this trouble for a hookup? Right?”

I’m so confused. My heart and mind are at odds with one another. My brain says to open up and let him in—to stop letting the past make decisions for me. But my heart is still so untrusting. Christopher did damage I’m not sure is reversible. Can I trust a man again? Ben makes me feel alive, but it sends me into panic mode. What if all men are the same? What if this is just a ploy? His eyes always tell a different story. They make me feel beautiful. Wanted. Cherished. Like I’m the only person he sees.

“I don’t know what I think. I think I’m tired. Homeless. Sober, sadly, which is worse than being thirty and divorced. But most of all, I think this thing—whatever it is with Ben—will end in disaster, so why start it?”

“Because you’ll never know unless you do. Worst case, you both crash and burn. But the thrill of it may just be worth the risk.” She winks at me. Her growing smile causes my lips to curl.

“That’s seriously so ridiculous.”

“Maybe. But not as ridiculous as you not telling me about the sex. Now, spill. Oh, but never mention I asked if Levi catches wind. He gets super jealous. I would hate for him to murder Ben just because I know this kind of info.”

“What do you want to know?”

“Um. . . for starters, remember that one time we accidentally walked into the bathroom while he was peeing? True to size, or did we just get a weird angle?”

“Oh my god! Really, Han?”

Hannah shrugs. Sweet, innocent Hannah—where did she go?

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