Page 3 of When Ben Loved Jace (He Loved Him #2)

“Because it is. So you didn’t get married straight out of high school.

Big deal! And yes, you’ve dated a bunch of lowlifes since then.

Even better, because now when the right guy comes along—” She taps the fortune for emphasis.

“—you’ll actually be able to tell if he’s the one for you.

And you’ll have enough experience to be the right one for him.

Maybe it isn’t this guy. Worst case scenario, you learn a few lessons while fine-tuning your love maker. ”

“My what?”

“You heard me.”

We stare each other down before laughing.

“You either call him or I do,” Allison says. “You know I will. I have no shame.”

“Fine,” I say, swiping the fortune off the table. “I’ll do it. But um… When?”

“How should I know? I can only tell you when a woman would expect to be called.”

“Pretend you’re a gay man.”

“You are a gay man!” Allison shakes her head and laughs. “I haven’t seen you this flustered for ages. You really do like the boy.”

“I don’t know the first thing about him.”

“Then find out,” she says softly. “Sooner rather than later. Don’t keep me in suspense.”

“All right.” I bite my bottom lip. “Ben and Jace does have a nice ring to it.”

Allison snorts. “Sounds like a brand of ice cream. And the initials are a little too on point.”

“How about Jace and Ben?”

“Mmm. That’s better. Now get me a couple of aspirin and don’t talk for the next hour, okay?”

I nod and happily comply, eternally in her debt.

— — —

I call Jace that night. Before doing so, I set the mood by lowering the lights and putting on music in the background, wanting to take the tension out of any lengthy silences.

It doesn’t matter that he won’t hear or see any of this.

I need it for me. Of course these efforts will all be for naught if he doesn’t answer.

I dial his number after taking a swig of water, my mouth drying out regardless.

But I like the way my heart beats in excitement, as if eager to come out of retirement.

One ring. Then another. And…

“Hello?”

“Hey!” I say breathlessly into the phone. “It’s me. Ben. The um… yoghurt boy.”

“Hello, Yoghurt Boy. I’m glad you called.”

I can’t help but smile. “Really?”

“Yeah. I wasn’t sure if you would. I’ve spoken to three different telemarketers today.”

“Oh! Sorry. I should have given you my number as well.”

“That’s all right. Thanks to you, I’ll be saving twenty percent by bundling my internet, cable, and phone services together.”

I laugh. “You’re welcome. So um… How should we do this?”

“What?”

“Get to know each other.”

“Hmm…”

I love the sound of his voice. It’s deeper than my own and soothing. If he’s nervous, I can’t tell. Me? I’m squirming on my bed .

“I suppose we should start with the basics,” he says. “Are you a full-time yoghurt boy?”

“No. I’m still in college. For the next five months anyway. Then I graduate and become a yoghurt man.”

He chuckles, sending goosebumps racing across my skin.

“What about you?” I ask. “Are you a pilot?”

“No. I’m a flight attendant.”

“Oh.”

“Does that disappoint you?”

I imagine him pushing a cart down an aisle while making sure everyone is buckled up and has something to drink, which sounds nurturing. “Either way is fine with me. I just like the uniform.”

“That was Greg’s idea,” Jace says. “When he picked me up from the airport, he said it was the perfect time to try.”

Meaning that he’d told his friend about me previously. I’m positively dizzy with this revelation. Although when I imagine this scenario playing out to completion, I do have questions. “How come he took your arm? You know, when you both came into the store.”

Jace sighs. “For the same reason he used to wear a wedding ring as soon as we were old enough to go to bars. He thinks being taken makes someone more desirable.”

As if Greg needs any help in that department! This raises another concern, one borne out of insecurity. “He’s very handsome.”

There’s a pause before Jace responds. “Are you interested in him? Because it’s okay if you are.”

“No! I’ve had my fill of muscles, believe me.”

“Hm. Why did you sound sad when saying that?”

“Ancient history. I guess what I’m wondering is why you aren’t with him.”

“Greg?” Jace laughs, dispelling my fears. “First of all, he’s straight. Secondly, I’ve known him since we were little. I just don’t see him that way. Greg is more like a brother to me. Besides, he’s not really my type.”

“No?”

“Nope. I wish we were doing this in person.”

“How come?”

“To get the full picture. Due to the counter you stand behind at work, I’ve only ever seen you from the waist up. For all I know, you slither around on octopus tentacles.”

“Busted!” I think about what Allison said, how I’ll need to take risks if I’m ever going to find the right guy. Persistence holds the key… “So why don’t we continue this conversation in person?”

“I’m out of town for the moment,” he says apologetically. “Although it is drivable. How about tomorrow?”

I wince. “I’m going home for the holidays.”

“Which is where, exactly?”

When I tell him, he starts laughing. “Guess where I am now?”

“No!”

“Uh-huh.”

We discuss options on how we could meet. I’m not too picky. I just want to see him again. Once the time and the location are set, the tension grows thick.

“I guess I’ll see you soon,” I say.

“Not soon enough for me,” Jace replies. “Have a good night, Ben.”

“You too.”

After saying goodbye and hanging up, I tumble backward onto the sheets and place a hand over my racing heart.

I’m so ready for this!