Page 37 of The Swap

“Apparently everyone else was able to see his true colors except for me,” I said glumly.

“Yeah, well, take it from me, people only let you see the parts of themselves they want you to see.”

“I suppose you’re right,” I said with a sigh.

“But hey, we can have even more fun now, and Korey won’t be able to bother you ever again,” he said gently.

“Thanks, Ben. I appreciate that and I’m really glad you called.”

“Anytime. I’ll always be here for you. I can even come over if you want some company.”

I started to reply when Samuel peeked his head through the doorway. “Dinner’s ready,” he whispered when he saw I was on the phone.

“I’ve got to go, Ben. Samuel’s got dinner ready.”

“Oh! I didn’t realize you were still seeing him,” he said.

“Yeah, he’s a great guy. I’m very lucky to have him,” I said, smiling at Samuel who was still lingering near the door. He pointed to his chest as if to say, “who me?” and I nodded my head slowly, licking over my bottom lip in the way that drove him wild. His eyes darkened, and he took a step forward. “Uh, I’ve really gotta go, Ben. I’ll talk to you later.”

I didn’t even wait for his reply before ending the call and tossing my phone on the desk. My last thought before Samuel closed in on me and I lost the ability to think, was that dinner was going to have to wait.