Page 42 of To the Chase

Ben strolled into the kitchen, twirling my key around his finger. “IwishI was her boyfriend. She friend-zoned me. It’s depressing.” He leaned his shoulder against the entryway, folding his arms across his chest. “Who might you be?” he asked Scarlet.

I put my hand on her shoulder. “This is my assistant, Scarlet. She and her family are moving into the construction zone across the street. Say hi, Ben.”

He grinned. “Hi, Ben.”

I groaned. “Don’t be obnoxious.”

Scarlet had to tilt her head way back to look Ben in the eye. “You have the same name as Bea’s dog. That’s kind of weird.”

“Ah, well…it would be, if Ben was short for Benjamin, but it’s not.” He tapped his chest. “Bennett Wiley Wells, at your service.”

Shehmphedand muttered, “Still kind of weird.”

“Weird’s cool, kid,” Ben replied, unfazed.

Scarlet put down her prosciutto flower. “Why do you have a key to Bea’s house?”

“Foremergencies,” I emphasized. “He abuses his key-holding privileges.”

“You shouldn’t do that,” she admonished like a stern little grandmother.

“Look, I’m saving you the trouble of walking all the way to the door by unlocking it myself.” He gestured at my supply-covered counters. “And I remembered you had a big job today, so I stopped by to see if you need any help.”

Scarlet straightened. “I’mhelping her.”

“She is,” I added. “Scarlet’s amazing.”

I’d stopped questioning my decision to hire her, even if she could be slightly annoying. The fact of the matter was:everyoneannoyed me, but Scarlet did less than most.

Ben flexed his tree trunk biceps. “You’re really going to turn down free manual labor, Buzz?”

“Nope. I’m not.” I took my gloves off and brushed by him, grabbing the leash hanging on a hook in the hallway. “Your namesake would love to go for a walk.”

Benjamin was a wild child, but he understood he had to make himself scarce when I was preparing for an event. As soon as I took my gear out, he showed himself upstairs.

But my boy could be passed out cold, deep in dreamland, and he’d come running at the sound of his leash jingling.

I tossed the leash to Ben. He’d been through this before and braced himself.

Two seconds later, Benjamin launched himself down the stairs, straight into Ben’s legs. Ben might’ve been six-and-a-half feet of pure muscle, but he was no match for the missile that was my dog. They both stumbled back, and Ben caught himself on my table, saving them from landing in a heap.

“You’re lucky you’re cute, man,” Ben grumbled as he gave my dog a vigorous rubdown and attached his leash. “I could use you on the team. You’d make a hell of a rugby player.”

Benjaminruffed, agreeing he would. I had my doubts, though. He was powerful, but he was too much of a lover to get rough on the pitch.

“Have fun, boys,” I called as they headed out.

Scarlet watched them go, dreamy-eyed. “Wow. That guy’s really our neighbor?”

I laughed. “He really is. Want to know something even crazier?”

She nodded, eyes wide.

“His identical twin lives in the house next to his.”

“There aretwoof them?” she screeched.

“There sure are.”