Page 79 of Consumed By You

“Benjamin! Buddy, how are you?” a dark-haired man cheers loudly, and judging by his accent, he’s Spanish. I’m even more surprised when Benjamin rises from his seat, a wide grin on his face. I’ve rarely seen him so happy to see someone.

“John! I’m great. How are you?” They embrace warmly.

“Fantastic, dear friend. Fantastic!”

Benjamin Scott hasfriends?

The gorgeous Latino looks down at me kindly. “And who’s this?”

I stand up and offer my hand, smiling nervously.

Benjamin makes the introductions. “John, this is Darcy Fontaine. Darcy, John Fuente.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” I respond.

“Please. The pleasure is mine,encantadora.”

Enchantress? I blush profusely as he bends down to kiss my hand.

“You are simply hypnotizing! Your eyes…crystal blue. Benjamin, where have you been hiding this beauty?”

“We’re friends,” I tell him. Benjamin doesn’t say anything. He gestures for John to sit.

“Where is your wife? Is she here?”

“Yes, she’s in the powder room. With the baby coming so soon, she’s stressing over her wardrobe all the time.”

“Oh, she’s expecting?” I ask. “When’s the due date?”

Benjamin answers, much to my surprise. They must be really close. “Two days before Christmas.”

The others gradually join the table, and I try to hide my surprise that Benjamin knows these people well, and they love him.

John’s expression softens, and I notice a brown-haired beauty headed our way, holding her extended stomach.

He slides out a chair for her. “Darcy, this is my wife, Jasmine.”

She presses a quick peck to my cheek in greeting.

Whoa.

I try to recover and beam widely. “Nice to meet you.”

She looks at Benjamin tenderly. “Ben, how are you?”

“Fine, Jaz. How’s the baby?”

“Kicking hard these days. He’s going to be a handful when he gets out of here.”

“Have fun with that.” Benjamin snickers and Jasmine narrows her cat-like eyes.

“You will too, god-daddy.”

Wait, Benjamin’s the godfather?

“I haven’t said yes yet.”

John rolls his eyes. “You will, amigo. You will.”