Page 64 of When Ben Loved Tim

“Yeah! When you took me to the beach. We kissed, I busted out some smooth lines about you being my butterfly, and we had dinner.”

“That’s your take,” I say, fighting down a smile. “From my perspective, you said stuff in Spanish that I misinterpreted, some sorority girls crashed the party, and then I had a meltdown. Although I did like that kiss.”

“Yeah?” he asks, pushing against the ground to swing closer.

I lean away so he can’t reach me. “Where are you taking Krista this weekend?”

Tim rolls his eyes, but not at me, as it turns out. “Some vegan place. It sounds gross. And then afterwards, I have to see some chick flick that’s supposed to be super sad. Why would anyone want to feel that way? I don’t get it.”

At last, a level playing field! “I was thinking a steakhouse. And afterwards there’s that big movie about drag racing.”

“For real?” Tim says, perking up. “Everyone else saw it when my ankle was jacked up. Bryce says it’s really good.”

“How about Saturday then?”

His grin falters. “That’s when I’m taking Krista out.”

“So reschedule,” I say with a shrug.

“But I promised.” At least he has the decency to look conflicted. “How does Sunday sound?”

“Like I’d be sloppy seconds,” I say, shaking my head. “Friday night?”

“Darryl is having some of the guys over, but I could bail on them.”

Thank goodness! Krista is bad enough. My ego would never recover if he chose his straight buddies over me. Again. “So we’re on?” I ask.

Tim changes tactics. He grabs the chain of my swing to pull me closer. “We’re on,” he says, just before our lips meet.

Crisis averted. He might belong to her still, but only technically. As he takes my hand and leads me back toward the shadows, there’s no doubt that he’s mine.

* * * * *

“Sometimes I feel like your mother,” Allison says as she buttons up my shirt.

“I can’t imagine why,” I reply while watching her work.

We both know that I’m capable of dressing myself, but the gesture is affectionate and the feeling is mutual.

“What do you think?” she asks, taking a step back so I can see myself in the mirror.

I’m fully capable of choosing the outfit I want to wear, but Allison has better taste than me, and tonight is important. My first real date! I’m happy with my appearance. The burgundy dress shirt she helped me shop for looks dressy but casual, thanks to the unbuttoned collar and dark-blue T-shirt beneath. My jeans are a similar navy hue, and I have a pair of maroon sneakers that are really going to bring it all together.

“Tim’s going to forget that Krista exists,” I say, running a hand through my freshly trimmed hair.

“He should’ve already,” Allison replies. “I would have.”

“Thanks,” I say, giving her a hug, even if it means risking a few wrinkles. She’s more than worth it. “Now go away. Tim will be here in ten minutes and I don’t want him to know my secret.”

Allison snorts. “That you were going to wear a suit jacket before I intervened?”

“A vest,” I correct. “I thought it would be cute.”

“It was,” she murmurs. “Like a monkey playing cymbals. Is he picking you up from here?”

“Yeah.”

“Can I watch from the front window?”