Page 73 of Consumed By You

“Yeah, you did. But he did just call into your job to holler at your boss for taking you back before you were ready. I mean, that sounds like he cares, does it not?”

I’m scowling at him when the phone rings again. It’s Benjamin’s number.

Kevin’s cackle is wicked as he leaves for the break room.

I pick up the phone. “Benjamin, please stop.”

“I’m sorry. I called for a reason.”

“What is it?” I whisper, weak from hearing his voice.

“There’s a charity gala for The American Cancer Society this Friday. I was wondering if you’d accompany me.”

I sit in silence for a moment, unsure if I heard him right.

“There’s a woman that will be there. Cindy Dante. She owns a publishing company. I’ve known her forever. I spoke to her about you…she wants to meet you.”

I’m speechless.

“Are you still there?”The anxiousness in his voice melts my frozen heart.

“Why did you tell her about me?”

“She wants to meet you to set up an interview, if she likes you, that is.”

“I-I don’t know what to say, Benjamin,” I stutter, clutching the phone tightly.

“Say you’ll go with me.”

“Friday is in two days.”

“I can have Dimitri take you shopping for a gown tomorrow.”

Dimitri? Gown?What is happening? Not ten minutes ago, I had sworn off this man.

“I can’t do that. I can get one on my own.”

“Then, let me send you some money.”

“No, I—”

“Look, you’re doing me a favor. I don’t want you to spend a dime on anything. Please, just let me do this.”

“Why do you care so much about this?”

“Darcy, you’re smart, too smart to be working in a bar.”

“I can’t…” I stop myself, afraid of how to word my next sentence. “I can only go as your friend, Benjamin.”

“I know that. I haven’t forgotten our conversations.”There’s a hint of aggravation in his tone at that, and I wonder how mad he was last night when I told him goodbye.

“Okay, then.”

“You’ll go?”

“I’ll go.”

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