Page 34 of It Happened Back Then (Nilsson Family #3)

I felt better after talking with my mom yesterday. I went home and rested again, still worn out from the bridal shower. I sent Bennett a message saying I’d like to meet up, but I didn’t hear back. I’m telling myself it’s because he was busy at the restaurant.

So, this morning I’m up and at the boutique early, needing to keep busy. I’m updating our website and making some social media posts of the new dresses we got in for prom. But I’m doing my damn hardest to avoid looking at any other Instagram pages but ours.

I don’t want to see if there is something going on. I want to keep my head buried in the sand whether it’s a good idea or not.

“Morning!” my brother yells as he enters through the back door, carrying a tray of coffee cups. My stomach rolls just thinking about what's in those cups.

“Hey,” I yell back and continue scrolling around on the website. He places a cup in front of me.

“It’s just hot chocolate. I saw Meadow at the bakery, and she said you were fighting off a cold and were avoiding coffee.”

I grin, reminding myself that Meadow is my favorite sister. “She’s right and thank you. This is perfect.”

“Between here and the wedding, you’re working too hard. You need to take a break. Get that boyfriend of yours to cook dinner for you.”

I scoff, if he only knew.

He peers over my shoulder. “The website looks amazing.”

I answer with a hum but he presses. “I’m serious, B. You need to do something fun for you, and don’t say organizing the stockroom. That doesn’t count.”

I roll my eyes, opening the lid to cool off the hot chocolate. If he only knew the fun I'd been having that led me here. “Fun’s overrated.”

“Yeah, yeah,” he says, smirking. “Keep telling yourself that while you turn into Mom with her color-coded calendars and ‘just one more thing’ lists.”

I laugh, because he’s not wrong. “Don’t knock organization. It’s how this place runs.”

He sits at the table with me and begins to show me some new items he and Jack found when they went checking out other stores. My phone buzzes on the table between us. When I see Bennett’s name, my heart stutters. Lief is still talking, but I don't hear a thing as Bennett’s words come into focus.

Bennett: I can’t do this anymore, Blossom. You won’t answer my calls. You won’t answer the door. Your sisters won’t tell me anything. Then all of a sudden you text me? I’m over the back-and-forth. I’m over you running hot and cold. I deserve more.

My body immediately reacts, my blood runs cold and my heart races. I reach for my hot chocolate with shaking hands and knock it over instead. “Oh no!”

Lief jumps up. “I'll grab paper towels.”

I grab my laptop, placing it on the chair so it isn’t damaged, but fall back into the chair and re-read the text. Over and over.

“Why are you crying? It’s just a spill.”

“What?” I look up and see Lief standing there staring at me. Tears run down my face and fall onto the screen of my phone.

“Blossom! What's wrong? Is it Mom? Who’s on the phone?”

Things start to make sense again and I say, “No, no, everyone’s fine.” I breathe deep. “It’s Bennett.”

“Is he okay?” Lief asks urgently.

I nod. “He’s fine. He’s just ..” My words drift off and Lief reaches out.

“Let me see your phone.”

Before I can say anything, he's taking my phone and reading it. “What the fuck? Blossom, what’s going on?”

I whisper, “I’ve been avoiding Bennett.”

“I can see that. Now tell me why.”

He sits down next to me, and I shake my head. “Lief, I don’t know where to begin. It’s been years of complications.”

“Break it down for me in terms that won’t lead to me kicking his ass.”

I shake my head again. “It’s not anything he did. It’s me. It’s seeing Savannah here. There's just a lot I've been carrying around, and he’s catching the brunt of it. But by the looks of this text, it appears we’re really done this time.”

Lief scoffs. “No way. He loves you.”

“No. He’s not waiting anymore. He’s found the one.”

“You’re his one. Just go talk to him.” He says it in a way that makes it sounds so easy, but it's definitely not.

“That’s the thing. I finally decided to tell him,” I swallow, not wanting to say too much. “I wanted to tell him everything, and now he doesn’t want to hear it. I can’t blame him.”

He narrows his eyes on me. “What's everything?”

“Promise me you won’t freak out.”

His body goes rigid. “No fucking way! You don't get to say that to me and expect me not to react.”

“Okay, just listen.” I swallow hard and grab his hand. “I’m pregnant.” He stands so suddenly he knocks over his chair. “Lief!”

“No fucking way. Go talk to him. Now . I’ll kill him myself if he doesn't listen to you.” He begins to pace, and I follow him around the store. “He’s not done, Blossom. I can guarantee you that. Not with this news.”

I start to giggle because this overbearing brother thing is kind of funny.

He slaps his thighs. “What could possibly be funny right now?”

I smile and pull him in for a hug. “You. This protective thing you have going on is kinda cute.”

He scoffs but doesn’t push me away. Instead, he just holds me, and we hug in the middle of the store. “I’m going to be an uncle again, huh?”

“You are.”

“Then I guess congratulations are in order, little sister.”

“Thanks, big brother.”