Page 98 of Rebound

“Then I think it’s perfect.”

Ben didn’t hesitate, doing his best to stack the two side tables in the oversized cart and jogging down the aisle to pick up the coffee table.

“Let’s go drop these off at the register and get another cart,” he suggested. “I assume you want to shop more.”

Ben peered at him from over the edge of the coffee table, his eyes excited and eager, sending a thrill up Thomas’s spine.

“Right,” Ben agreed. “We’re just getting started.”

CHAPTER31

BEN

After Ben finished spending far toomuch money at the store, they’d both gone back to his apartment. Together. Thomas had hovered while he washed the new sheets and put them on the bed, and he’d remained silent while Ben fought with arranging his new furniture in a way that felt right. He liked the company, and he appreciated the space. At first, he’d been put off by Thomas’s lack of input, but the longer he rolled the idea of it around in his head, the more sense it made. Thomas was only trying to do him a service. Finally settled, he opened a bottle of water from the fridge and leaned against the corner of his dining room table, giving the newly furnished living room a onceover.

“What do you think?” Thomas asked, standing beside him.

“I like it.” He didn’t bother to ask if Thomas liked it because he knew Thomas wouldn’t answer.

“Did you want to get dinner?”

“Honestly, yes.” He twisted the cap back onto the bottle and set it down behind him. “But Lara has been pushy about how long it’s been since I’ve seen her.”

“I can take off.”

“I…I’d like to see her, but I’d like you to come. If that’s something you’re okay with.”

“I like your friend, Ben. I don’t mind coming; I just don’t want to intrude.”

Ben sighed. “I’ve never heard you talk about any friends.”

“I don’t really have any,” Thomas admitted, his throat turning a dark red just above the collar of his shirt. “Casualty of the divorce, I suppose.”

“Who do you talk to when you’re sad?”

Thomas scoffed, rolling his eyes and pushing away from the table. “My plants.”

“That’s…”

“It’s pathetic, I know.” Thomas cleared his throat and pasted on a smile. “I’d love to come with you and Lara as long as she’s okay with it.”

“Our friend Owen too.”

“The more, the merrier.”

Ben pulled his phone out of his pocket to text his best friend. He snapped a picture of the living room and sent it to her, then asked what she and Owen had decided to do. She answered him quickly with a text.

Lara:We’re coming over to eat takeout on your new coffee table.

Ben:Bring enough for 4. Thomas is here.

Lara:Of course he is.

Ben:Is that okay?

Lara:Of course it is.

Ben:You’re as bad as he is with texting. Can you give me a freaking emoji or something so I can gauge your tone????