Page 24 of It Happened Back Then (Nilsson Family #3)

I can’t believe I slept with Bennett.

We’ve been dancing around each other for so long I never thought it would happen again. And then it did and it was like it was always meant to be. And that scares me more. Nothing feels certain, nothing has a label.

It’s been a week since Bennett and I were first together again, and I've seen him every night since then. My heart is so full seeing him each night, talking, having sex, laying together. It’s like we picked up right where we left off years ago.

Except we haven't made it official, we haven't announced that we’re together. On the outside, everything is still as it was. We meet for lunch. He runs errands with me. I see him after his shift at the restaurant, but I don’t know how to tell him the secret I’ve been holding from him.

Deep down, I’m terrified that once he knows, what we thought could be permanent will disappear with the wind. I don’t want him thinking I trapped him, that I slept with him only to drop a bomb.

“What’s going on with you?” I turn from my laptop at the sound of January’s voice.

“Aunt Blossom!”

“Hey, baby girl!” I drop to my knees as my niece, Lily, comes barreling toward me. She jumps into my arms, and I catch her before standing and hugging her back. “You look so pretty. Did you get your nails done?”

“I did! Look! They’re blue!” She wiggles her little fingers in my face, and I make a show of trying to bite them.

“They look so good I could eat them!” She screams and squirms until I put her down. “Morning, love bug,” I tease my sister.

“You didn’t answer the question.”

“What question?”

“What's going on? You’ve been early every day this week. You’re happier than usual.” She eyes me. “Who are you having sex with?”

“January!”

She steps closer. “Don't lie to me. I’ll know.”

I roll my eyes and then put my hand on my hip and tilt my head. “Who do you think?”

Her eyes widen as she connects the limited dots. “You and Bennett?”

She grabs my hands and squeals, and I shush her. “Stop it. It’s not public knowledge yet.”

“Well why not? Everyone sees you two together anyway.”

I shake my head. “We’re just, I don’t know. I don't want to rush anything. There are things that need to be worked out first. I don’t know if it actually means anything yet.”

“What could have to be worked out? It’s always been you two?—”

The bell above the door jingles and I nearly fall over when I see who’s walking through.

“Good morning! Welcome to Dress Me up!” My sister greets Savannah because she doesn’t know any better. But I do.

I take a breath and decide to be the bigger person. “Hi, Savannah.” As her name falls from my mouth January eyes snap to me, but I ignore it. “Bennett told me you were visiting. How have you been?”

The smirk across her face makes me want to punch her. This is the bitch I always knew her to be. And if I was a bitch, I’d make sure to let her know just how good Bennett's been giving it to me all week.

She saunters closer to us at the counter while letting her eyes roam the store.

But not in a nice way. She stops at a table of lingerie, gently touching the lace that’s laid out.

“Ooh, these are nice. Maybe I should get some new sets while I’m here.

” Her lips twist and my hands clench. She approaches the counter and in a fake show of friendliness, leans across it, kissing me on the cheek.

“It’s so good to see you! It’s been years since I was here last.”

“Yes, it’s been a long time.” At the sound of January clearing her throat, I say, “This is my older sister January, January, this is Savannah. She’s a friend of Bennett’s from college.”

January places her hand on her hip and says, “Nice to meet you. What are you doing in Bluemoon?”

I pinch January's side but she doesn't flinch.

Savannah waves her hand in the air and turns to look out onto the floor of the store again, wandering over to another display of dresses.

“I came to visit Bennie for a while.” I stifle a laugh as January’s face screws up with disgust and she mouths the word ‘Bennie’.

“I should never have let him come back here alone for that job. I was always his biggest fan, and, well, I want to be here to support him.” She turns quickly assessing us both before adding, “Wouldn’t it be amazing if he was to get a head chef position in another country? ”

I scowl. “Another country? Why would he do that?”

Again, she waves her hand in dismissal, and I want to reach out and snap her wrist. “My father has connections in France. Bennie and I used to dream of moving there. Wouldn’t it be amazing if he were to get an offer?”

I nod like it’s no big deal, but inside I’m spiraling.

France? Why haven’t I heard about this? And why does she sound like she already knows how it ends?

My heart is beating wildly in my chest, but I try to appear nonchalant.

Why hasn’t he ever mentioned this to me?

Is she just saying things to upset me? “That would be amazing.”

She turns and walks back to the lingerie, picking up a white lace set with a little blue bow on the front.

“This is gorgeous. Very bride-like.” Placing it down, she checks her phone.

“Oh, speaking of.” She types out a text before placing the phone back in her purse.

“Gotta go! It was so great to see you, Blossom. Bye, January.” I watch as she walks out the door and finally let out the breath I didn’t realize I was holding.

“What the fuck was that?” January spins on me. “She’s really here for Bennett?”

I shake my head. “I don’t know what she’s up to. Bennett told me she rented one of those cabins in Birch Village where Drake used to live. He told me she came back for him.”

“Then why is she still here? If you’re together, he should have said something.”

I can’t let her get in my head. Not when I’m already holding a truth that could blow all of this apart. “I don’t know.” I don’t have an answer to that.

France and Savannah and the lingerie all swirl around my mind. And I don’t like any of it one bit.