Chapter 12
When faced with an entire day with zero plans, my choice is usually to cuddle up with Ernest and find the latest true crime documentary. I survived my project with Brody, coming out relatively unscathed because of his ability to act like a grown-ass adult and not make things weird.
I definitely made things weird. Especially when he was over at my apartment late one night and went in for a perfectly platonic high five.
I misinterpreted his arm movements, going in for a hug instead.
I’m not even a hugger! I have no idea what possessed me to do that, and I’ve been waking up around two in the morning every night to overthink it.
But, we passed our midterms and I’m on the way to passing the entire course—no, acing the entire course. I should be hearing back about placements for next semester any day now, as well.
So, yes. I decided to take a day off. No studying, no working on projects, no agonizing over the way Ben looks in glasses.
It was going to be a great day.
Then I matched with a guy named Garrett on the dating app. And, well… my Ben-in-glasses dilemma needed a solution, so I set a date with Garrett for this evening.
Fine, it will be a partial day off. I’m getting ready to settle down on the couch with popcorn and a diet cherry cola—though, even that has now been ruined by Ben—when my phone dings.
Maybe it’s Garrett canceling the date. I really don’t want to go out tonight.
Thea
Hey Cole! It’s Thea!
Yes, Thea. We’ve been texting. I even saved your number in my phone.
Thea
Wow! What a compliment.
That really is so great. Are we friends?
I feel like we’re friends now.
I don’t have friends.
Thea
Right… I do remember you saying that. But saving my number feels awfully friend-like
Do you need something, Thea? It’s my day off
Thea
Shoot. Any chance you’d like to help out at the studio on your day off?
Help a pregnant woman out?
It’s not my fault you didn’t use a condom
Thea
We did!
What the fuck?!
Thea
Well… it broke. But the intention was there!
Oh thank God. I was getting ready to sue the condom company on her behalf.
That is…
Thea
Incredibly unfortunate? Yes, I’m aware.
But we are moving on! The studio needs to be finished so I can actually teach students.
I eye Ernest. I’d like to think he’ll be mad at me for leaving him today, but I think he prefers when he can have the couch to himself.
Fine, be there soon.
“This place really does look great. Not going to lie, it was giving a little more crack den than ballet studio before you took over.”
Thea is standing in the middle of the dance studio—conveniently located next door to the soon-to-be Bardot Brothers Coffee Co.
She takes a moment to look around the entire space, as if she’s seeing it for the first time.
The walls are a soothing shade of green, the floors have been cleaned and re-stained, and we are currently almost done adding a translucent film to the giant front windows that face the street.
Thea explained the need to let some light in while also preventing dancers from getting distracted by the passersby.
She absentmindedly rubs her belly, which looks like she just had a really large lunch, biting her lip as a blush runs up her neck and fills her cheeks. After a few moments of silence, I wave my hand in front of her. “Earth to Thea.”
“Hmm? Oh! Sorry, what’s up?”
“You were thinking about sex, weren’t you?” Or maybe that’s just me. Sex with Ben. Because of course he was working at the coffee shop when I arrived today.
Thea looks as if I’ve offended her sensibilities. “What?! No! Sex? What’s that? I—”
“Mhmm, very convincing.” I cut her off. “So are you and Jules…?”
She stares at me. “Are me and Jules what?”
Thea is either an idiot or really doesn’t want to talk about this. Too bad. Ben is making me feel destructive, and unfortunately Thea is in the line of fire. “Fucking, Thea. Are you and Jules fucking?”
Thea spins around, searching the area for… an answer maybe? She finds nothing to help her in the empty studio. “So, that’s a no. But you want to be.”
She proceeds to explain to me how Jules is too perfect, so obviously she can’t sleep with him. Again.
I watch as she lays herself across the floor in exasperation.
It’s hard for me to relate to this exact scenario, but I do feel bad for her, and Jules is a good guy.
Taking a seat on the ground next to her, I do my best attempt at friendship.
“Just because Chloe’s sperm donor is a douche canoe that wouldn’t own up to his part in her creation, doesn’t mean all guys are like that. ”
From what Thea has told me, Chloe’s dad essentially groomed Thea and then left her as soon as she got pregnant. “I’ve known Jules since high school. Middle school actually. He’s always been a good one.” Unlike his brother.
“It’s annoying. The man should have at least one flaw. And even if it didn’t work out romantically between the two of you, he would never let that affect his relationship with his child.” I’m absolutely certain of that. The Bardots—minus Benjamin—are good people.
Tentatively, I pat Thea’s leg because it feels like the comforting thing to do. “Better now?” She grunts in response. “Great. I’ve got to go, I have a date tonight.”
“With Ben?” she asks.
I can feel the look of disgust painted across my face. “Ew. No. Why would you ask that?”
She grins at me. “He seems to seek your approval like a puppy dog looking for scratches.”
Gag. “He can scratch his own ass.”
“This feels like a ‘you’re not fucking but you want to be’ type situation,” she says, throwing my own words back at me. If only she knew.
“Bye, Thea! Off to go get ready for my date with Garrett—not Benjamin. See if I come back to help again after that sass.”
The door shuts behind me as Thea shouts, “Bye, Colette! Good luck!”
“Good luck with what?”
I stop dead in my tracks, knowing exactly who will be standing there if I turn around.
“Leave her alone, Ben.” Ah, thank fuck. Jules is here too.
Turning to face the twins, I address Jules while completely ignoring Ben’s question. “You should go talk to her,” I tell him, nodding toward the studio door. “She… she wants you, so for fuck’s sake put us all out of our misery and do something about it, okay?”
Jules’ answering smirk is sheepish. “Okay,” he simply replies before walking into the studio.
“Wow, that was easy.” I turn toward Ben. “Does it work on you as well? Go away!” I shoo him, but he doesn’t budge.
“You can’t get rid of me that easily, Red.” He chuckles.
“I’m aware.”
“So what do you need luck with?”
I debate not answering but maybe he’ll leave me alone if I do. “I have a date.”
“Of course you do. That birthday deadline is coming up, isn’t it?”
“We are not getting married,” I seethe, taking a step toward him.
He matches me as he asks, “Why not?”
Why not? Why not! Because… because… “You don’t even know me!” I splutter. “Just because we knew each other over a decade ago does not mean we should get married!”
He hums, as if I didn’t just make an excellent point. But then he opens his mouth again. “I don’t? I know that you like to tie people up.”
Now he’s standing entirely too close. “People don’t base a marriage off of that information.”
Ben tips his head side to side. “I suppose not. But I also know that you’re a hard worker—that hasn’t changed. You smell delicious—” He holds his hand up to stop me from interrupting. “Also not something people base a marriage off of, I know. You are kind to animals, even the really ugly ones.”
“Stalking my Instagram again?”
“You have an obsession with Dateline,” he continues.
“It’s called a special interest.”
“And…” He steps in so close, I can feel the heat of his breath coasting across my nose. His hand lifts, and my eyes drift shut on their own volition. He’s going to kiss me again.
I think I’m going to let him.
My body sways toward his, but instead of the kiss I’m expecting, his hand wraps around my ponytail and tugs. My eyes snap open to see his chocolate brown irises dancing with mirth. “My special interest is your hair,” he whispers.
Then all of a sudden, he’s gone. My body is cold in his absence, but my stomach is on fire.
“Have fun on your date tonight, Red,” Ben calls over his shoulder, not once looking back as he heads up the street toward Louie’s.