Chapter 24 Sarah
SARAH
My phone vibrated on the library’s meet-cute desk and I was relieved that I’d remembered to put it on Do Not Disturb.
This evening, we were hosting a silent reading party. It was the first one that I’d attended since I’d been here and it was really cool. I wished they’d had events like this where I used to live.
I picked up my phone and when I saw who’d messaged, excitement fizzed in my stomach.
Ben
Hey…
I started grinning like a stupid teenager and immediately told myself to grow the hell up. From the way I was smiling, anyone would think he’d told me I’d won the lottery, not just written one tiny three-letter word.
It felt like it’d been months since I’d spoken to him properly, when in reality it’d only been two weeks. Not that I’d counted or anything.
The last time we spoke in person was when he’d given me his shirt to cover up the stain on my dress. Since then, we’d been passing ships.
He wasn’t at the library when I’d returned that Monday with Jess, and since then he’d been at the retreat, upstairs working with Theo on the bar stuff, or on some research trips looking for investment opportunities or something. I only knew that because I’d subtly asked Jess.
Once I’d washed and ironed his shirt (the smell of fabric conditioner really didn’t compare to his scent), I’d had to leave it on his desk because he was away.
I’d left his latest book pick there too, and when I’d returned a few hours later it was gone, so I must’ve just missed him again when I was covering for Celeste in the bookshop.
It was a relief that I’d been so busy; otherwise I think this stupid crush thing could’ve got out of control.
But what with all the social media promo I’d had to do for the silent reading party and brainstorming with Jess and Jane about the marketing plans for the retreat, not to mention covering lunch breaks in the library and bookshop, I’d been flat out.
Plus, we had a signing with an incredible historical romance author coming up, which was huge.
With all that going on, I hadn’t even had a chance to post the first video I’d created with Ben yet. I’d definitely do that soon, but the priority would be posting content about today’s event, then promoting the next one.
Anyway, I supposed I should be grateful that I hadn’t seen Ben. After all, that was what I’d wished. I’d told myself that I needed to keep my distance so that this teeny, tiny crush wouldn’t spiral out of control and that was exactly what I’d done.
I blew out a breath, then remembered Ben had texted. I wasn’t sure if he was expecting me to reply or if the ellipsis after ‘hey’ meant that he was going to follow it up with a second message.
Best to play it cool, though, right? I was working, so I couldn’t reply straight away. I’d wait until the event finished.
A few minutes passed and I found myself tapping my foot impatiently on the floor, then glancing at the phone.
There was no second message.
I wondered what he wanted.
No.
I said I’d wait until after the event finished to reply.
I heard someone tut loudly, and when I looked up I saw a member staring directly at me. It was then that I realised that I was tapping my foot again.
‘Sorry!’ I mouthed, then I unlocked my phone and brought up Ben’s message.
This was silly. If I wanted to know what he wanted, I should just reply. We weren’t children. And we weren’t even dating, so I didn’t have to do all this stupid game-playing.
Me
Hey…
There. Done. Hopefully in his next message, he’d elaborate and tell me what he wanted. I expected he’d wait a while before replying, but then I saw the bouncing dots in the message to show he was writing something.
My pulse raced and excitement rippled through me. Once again I told myself to calm the hell down. It was just a message.
Ben
What time do you finish work?
Me
Around nineish, I think.
Wow, that’s later than usual?
Yeah, we’re having a party.
And you didn’t invite me?
Can’t be any good, I can’t hear any music playing!
A chuckle flew from my lips and a member glared at me.
Oops.
I was about to return to typing out a reply, but then realised I was setting a really bad example. The point of these parties was to escape distractions like phones and social media, be present in the moment and focus on reading.
Any minute now Jane would be back from the loo and I didn’t want her to see me texting. I needed to put my phone away.
But… I wanted to keep chatting to Ben.
‘You okay?’ Jane whispered. I hadn’t even heard her come up to the library’s meet-cute desk.
‘Yeah,’ I replied, keeping my voice low. ‘I just need to pop out for a sec. I’ll be back in five.’
‘Okay.’ She gave me a thumbs-up.
I hurried out of the hall, down the corridor, then slipped into one of the rooms the library used for smaller events.
I didn’t have long, so instead of toing and froing with texts, I decided to do the crazy thing that most people my age rarely did: call.
Ben answered on the first ring.
‘Jeffries,’ he said and the sound of his deep, posh voice sent a shock wave straight to my core.
‘Ben-evolent,’ I replied.
‘Awww, you going soft on me?’ he asked. ‘What happened to Benjamin Buttface?’
‘I’m sure he’s still around. But I like to mix up my nicknames, to keep you on your toes,’ I said, not wanting to admit that after he’d done all those kind things for me, I couldn’t in good conscience use such an insulting name.
‘Like it! So what’s up with the party? Why didn’t I get an invite? And when’s the DJ starting?’
‘It’s not that kind of party! It’s a silent reading party.’
‘A what?’
‘A party where readers come and sit together to read.’
‘And then they party afterwards?’ he said, confusion in his voice.
‘No. The reading bit is the party.’
‘I think you and I have a very different understanding of the word party. Parties normally have a DJ and alcohol and dancing.’
‘Was there something you needed?’ I said, keen to get to the point of his texts. Ben was a party playboy, so of course he wouldn’t understand the concept of a silent reading party and there was no point in trying to explain it.
‘Er, yes,’ he said, sounding like my bluntness had caught him off guard. ‘I was messaging to see if you were free to meet after work. There’s some stuff we need to discuss.’
‘What stuff?’ I asked, my curiosity piqued.
‘Wedding stuff. We leave in four days and I don’t feel very prepared. I mean, I’m happy to wing it, but as you know, I’m the ultimate professional, so I’d prefer to bring myself up to speed and study, so to speak.’
‘I wouldn’t have thought preparation and studying were your style,’ I laughed, and the line went silent.
Had I offended him? I thought he liked the whole bantering thing.
‘Sorry, yeah, you’re right. We should prepare.
You’re doing me a massive favour, so the least I can do is give you a brief. Shall we meet tomorrow?’
‘Can’t,’ he said solemnly. He’d only replied with one word, but something in his tone was different. ‘I’m away with Theo most of this week, hence why I suggested tonight.’
‘Oh, right. Okay.’ It’d been a long day and there was still another hour and a half before this event finished, but like I’d just said, he was doing me a favour, so I needed to work around his diary.
‘Or if you don’t feel comfortable meeting me in the evening, we can meet in the morning around seven once I’m back from my run.’
‘Er, no, tonight’s fine. Where do you want to meet?’
‘Up to you. I’m in my flat upstairs unpacking, so I can come down to the library or meet across the road, wherever you want.’
‘Oh yeah!’ I said. ‘Jess mentioned you’d moved. How is it?’
‘A mess. My stuff’s been in storage, so I’d forgotten how much shit I had.’
‘Yeah, moving’s the worst. The unpacking takes ages. Actually, why don’t I come up and help? I can fill you in on my family and who’s who whilst we unpack.’
‘You’d do that?’ he said, his voice filled with surprise.
‘Course, why not?’ I frowned.
‘Because, it’ll be late and I just assumed you wouldn’t be comfortable. And unpacking would be helping me.’
‘Really? I hadn’t realised!’ I said sarcastically. ‘That’s the point! Why wouldn’t I want to help you? Especially after everything you’ve done for me.’
‘Well, if you’re sure?’
‘Ben,’ I sighed. ‘I might have called you Buttface, and I know we locked horns over your scandalous opinions about romance novels, but I know deep down you’re a decent guy.’
‘So you don’t think I’m an arsehole?’
‘In the beginning, yes. But the Buttface nickname was always supposed to be ironic. Because obviously your face looks nothing like a butt.’
‘You saying you think I’m pretty?’ I could tell that he had a smug grin on his face.
‘Ridiculously so. But you didn’t hear me say that. I can’t go throwing around compliments to someone like you. Your head will never fit through the library’s double doors.’
‘Your secret’s safe with me.’
‘Anyway, to answer your question, I’m fine with coming to your flat.
It’s not like we haven’t been alone before.
I know you find me irresistible, obviously, but I’m sure you’ll find a way to control yourself!
’ I cackled. Clearly, I was joking. I could probably cover myself in ice cream with chocolate sauce and sprinkles and I’m pretty sure Ben wouldn’t be tempted.
In fact, I was starting to think this playboy reputation stuff was all a myth. When I bumped into Kara the other day, she told me she’d seen Ben on the beach and practically thrown herself at him and he hadn’t even batted an eyelid.
Or maybe he preferred American girls, which was why he hadn’t asked Celeste or Kara out.
‘Ha,’ he laughed. ‘You sure your offer to help me unpack isn’t some ruse just to get me alone so you can have your wicked way with me, Jeffries?’
‘No!’ I said, thinking that my defensiveness made me sound as guilty as hell. ‘You were the one who said that I needed to prep you for the wedding, so that’s why we’re meeting up, remember? Look, I need to get back to the party. How do I get up to the flat?’
‘You need to go through the separate entrance door at the back of the library. Press the buzzer for flat one and I’ll let you in.’
‘Okay. See you later.’