19. BEN
19
BEN
T he car was on time but it was the first time I wished it would be late. Blackwood staff wouldn’t dare be late—we paid them well and we expected them to be where they were wanted, when they were wanted.
I just wished I had more time with Sofia. Talking to her about my past, about the things that bothered me or scared me, felt like a weight lifted off my shoulders.
I’d been holding back who I was and where I’d come from for a long, long time. None of us really liked to talk about us being adopted, and my parents had done everything they could to make sure the newspapers never caught wind of it.
It didn’t matter, my dad always said. What happened in our past was exactly that—the past. The important part was the present, and the future, and that was all we focused on.
But in a way, it did matter, because it defined who we were. We had to know where we came from to know where we were going, right?
Or where we weren’t going, in my case.
That was how I’d felt—like I was spinning around in circles, going nowhere, until Sofia had come along with her crazy sense of direction.
I’d never met someone so sure of herself, so set on what she wanted to achieve, and yet she’d told me she was insecure.
I couldn’t put the two women together, but her telling me meant everything to me.
The car slid through the streets of Harborview, and my stomach twisted in knots of nerves. As if Sofia could feel my tension, she tightened her grip on my hand.
We didn’t have to hold hands yet—we were still on the way, and we didn’t have to pretend for anyone. But I liked holding her hand. Sofia made me feel like, for the first time, I was anchored. I’d been wandering around, not knowing where I belonged, but now, I felt like my feet touched the earth and I was steady.
“It’s going to be okay,” Sofia said softly.
“Let’s hope.”
“If it doesn’t work, then we’ll just have to figure out another way to do this,” she said. “But this project is a big deal, so we’re going to make it happen one way or another.”
I nodded. That determination and her business savvy were so fucking hot.
We finally arrived at the address Richard had sent us. He stayed in a rented house on the outskirts of Savannah, not too far from Harborview.
The house was charming and about as southern as they got, sprawled beneath oak trees and draped with moss. A grand porch wrapped around the house, adorned with white columns. The house was painted in a pale yellow that exuded warmth.
“Oh, this place is like a dream,” Sofia breathed when we climbed out of the car. She looked out over the lawn, laced with colorful flower beds, and a fountain babbled somewhere nearby.
“Welcome, welcome!” Richard cried out, opening the double front door with flair. He had a broad smile on his face, and I let go of Sofia’s hand to shake his.
He was dressed much the same as I was—gray chinos, a white button-up, and a sports coat that made him look more relaxed, although with his gray beard so neatly trimmed and his hair combed to the side, he would always look polished.
“You have a wonderful home, Richie,” Sofia said, greeting him with a kiss on the cheek as if they were old friends.
A pang of jealousy shot into my chest, but I pushed it away.
“Oh, it’s just a rental until we know exactly what’s happening, but I wouldn’t mind owning the place.” He looked around. “My Martha would have loved it here.” He looked emotional for a moment.
“It’s so peaceful,” Sofia said warmly, and she squeezed Richard’s arm.
That seemed to snap him out of his emotional moment, and he shook off his sorrow.
“Come on in,” Richard said with the same jovial voice he’d welcomed us with. “The dining table is set, and the wines have breathed long enough.”
We walked through a formal living room, a casual living room, and finally the dining room adjacent to the bar. This wasn’t my kind of house, but it was homey, and it suited Richard perfectly. I had a feeling he would end up buying it whether the project went through or not.
In the dining room, an antique table was set with fine cutlery and china, and a vase with flowers took center stage.
The walls were adorned with oil paintings, and the lights were turned down a little to add to the warmth and intimacy.
“Please, sit down,” Richard said, gesturing to the chairs.
I pulled out Sofia’s chair for her, and she smiled at me. Her gray eyes were bright, and I sat down next to her.
“I hope you came hungry,” Richard said. “You’re in for a treat.”
The first course came right away. Richard wasn’t someone who liked to make his guests wait.
While mixed green salad was dressed with balsamic vinaigrette, another staff member poured us a glass of Chardonnay.
Sofia thanked them before turning to Richard.
“How perfect for a summer’s night,” she said with a smile.
“I wanted it to be something light and crisp. I can’t stand it when the food doesn’t suit the weather. It’s a little strange, but something about the right food for the right temperature just makes me feel better about it.”
“Well, cheers to that,” Sofia said, and she lifted her wineglass.
We did the same.
“I’m glad you could make it,” Richard said. “I was excited to see you again.”
Sofia sipped her wine, and I glanced at her. When we made eye contact, a spark ignited, but I cleared my throat and looked at Richard again.
The salad was a great choice for the heat—the whole day had been just short of sweltering. Despite the great wine, the nice appetizer, and Richard’s warm attitude, a knot of nerves and anticipation wouldn’t release in my gut.
“So, Ben,” Richard said, turning to me. “I’ve been thinking about revitalizing the town a lot these past few days. I really think we can make a difference.”
“We can,” I said.
“What made you take on such a monumental endeavor? I mean, it’s not a small thing to take on, and even if it looks good for Blackwood Inc., there has to be more to it than that.”
I glanced at Sofia. If she’d taught me anything the last few days, it was that I had to look at the bigger picture. Everyone else wanted that from me.
Here goes nothing.
I leaned forward. “It’s good for the business, you’re right. But we’ve spent some time in the town, and I think it will be good for the people. It will create jobs and it will generate a bit of money so that the town can be restored to its former glory. It won’t happen overnight, but it’s something the people seem willing to take on. That’s the kind of thing that really impresses me—tenacity in the face of hardship.” I glanced at Sofia again.
I hoped she would know that she was included in that. In fact, I was talking mostly about her right now.
Sofia nodded. “We’re passionate about sustainability. You do know that Blackwood Inc. changed direction last year and adopted environmentally friendly practices? That’s what we want to spread—community development—and we really think the project aligns with both our values. Not only ours but yours, too.”
“Hmm,” Richard said, stroking his fingers through his graying beard. “I admire your dedication. I have to admit, at first I really thought it was just about the money.”
“A mistake on my part,” I said quickly. “I’m not always that good at putting what I think into words. That’s what Sofia helps me with.” I looked at her with a smile. That wasn’t only for show, I really meant it. She knew how to tell me what I was feeling even when I wasn’t aware that I felt it.
Or when I was determined not to feel it in the first place.
When I glanced at Richard again, he was grinning at me.
“I must say, the idea of investing in the people , benefiting the local community, deeply resonates with me. It’s what Martha would have wanted, and it’s what we always wanted to do with our money.”
We both nodded, and there was a moment of silence for Richard’s late wife. He looked happy with what we’d said so far.
The main course followed when we finished our salad, and the staff brought out grilled salmon and roasted vegetables.
“Oh, this looks incredible,” Sofia said and breathed in the scent of lemon butter.
“I thought you might like it,” Richard said.
We dug in, and the grilled salmon fillets were divine.
“How did you two meet?” Richard asked.
I’d known this question would come, and I was ready for it.
“We met at a bar, actually,” I said, telling the truth. “It’s a place called Jester, and I’m there all the time, but Sofia doesn’t usually go there.”
Sofia nudged me playfully. “Yeah, it was quite an unexpected encounter, too. He hijacked our evening. It was supposed to be just us girls, celebrating a promotion, but Ben can be very persuasive.”
Richard laughed. “I can just imagine.”
“It’s not something I regret,” Sofia added and when she glanced at me again, her eyes were warm and filled with affection.
“It was a bit of a turning point,” I agreed.
“I don’t really believe in fate, but sometimes, you have to wonder,” Sofia said.
“Oh!” Richard cried out. “I completely believe in fate, destiny, love at first sight… all of it. We’re brought together for a reason, and if you feel that it might be fate, it probably is.”
I didn’t really believe in fate, but this thing I had with Sofia wasn’t like anything I’d felt before. And Richard was happy with us acting like we were together.
That counted for something.
Although, tonight it didn’t feel like it was just an act.
I reached for Sofia’s hand beneath the table, intertwining our fingers. I was aware of the rings I’d slipped on her finger, pressing against mine. She glanced at me and something tender passed between us. This was nothing like I’d felt before. This was… terrifying.
And I couldn’t get enough.