Page 97 of Consumed By You

“Hello?” I call out, opening the door. Doris is usually in the kitchen and always tells me to just walk in. I feel incredibly awkward just walking into someone’s home. Her house is massive and full of wild colors. Doris collects paintings from around the world, but her favorites are African tribal paintings.

“Oh! Come on in, darling!” she calls out. I close the door behind me and shrug out of my coat, leaving it on the rack in the hallway. I find her in the kitchen stirring broth in a pot. Pasta noodles are sticking out of another one for our dinner.

I walk up and peck her on the cheek, feeling as if I’m home. In the past three months, she’s done more for me than any one person has done in my life. After Benjamin, she would listen to me cry at any time of night. She always wanted to set us up. She’d tell me he missed me, that he asked her about me, but I always ignored it, believing she only said those things to make me feel better. I found a friend in her. I help whenever I can with Arthur, knowing it’s hard for her to do everything on her own. She simply will not get a nurse.

“Smells good in here.” I take a seat on a stool. “Where’s Arthur?”

“In his room. Look, I have to tell you someth—”

“Darcy?”

I freeze, hearing his voice. That perfect, angelic voice I haven’t heard in months.

Benjamin.

I finally get up the nerve to turn around and stare up at those fiery green eyes. My body is instantly weak. I have no movement except for the frantic beating of the organ in my chest.

“Benjamin…what are you doing here?” I manage to get out.

He folds his jacket between his arms and breathes in deeply. “I’m visiting Arthur.”

“I didn’t know you did that.”

“I do.”

The silence grows unbearably by the second. I try to figure out something to say, anything, but nothing comes out. Finally, Doris speaks up.

“I’m going to give Arthur his broth. You two, uh, catch up.” She takes the bowl and a spoon and disappears.

I hop off the stool. “You don’t think…?”

“Oh, I think.” Benjamin smirks. “We’re being set up.”

Ugh.

How could Doris do this to me?

“How have you been?” he asks after a moment, taking a step closer. I brace myself against the counter.

“I’m good, been good. How are you?”

How can he be more stunning than I remember?

“I’m well. Busy.”

“I read about the deal you told me about. Lifegrowth? You got the shares you wanted.”

He nods. “Yes, I did. I’m surprised you remember that.”

“I’m surprised I remember too.”

In a decisive way he comes to stand by me. His cologne bewitches me and I have to look down, knowing my eyes have to be dilated with desire.

“I spoke with Cindy the other day. She told me she’s indebted to me for referring you.” I try not to gape at him. He talks to Cindy?About me?

“She did?”

“Yes, said you’re doing well, but I already knew you would.”