Heat rushed to her cheeks as she recalled their tense conversation. She wasn’t even sure where things had gone so wrong. He’d been so sweet, worrying about what she would tell her friends. When she’d told him that she’d only be bragging about him, the smile that crossed his face had made Katie feel like she’d just won the lottery.
For a man as sensitive as Bennett was, it was a wonder he could be so clueless about why going on a date with another woman was a bad idea.
Katie sighed.
“You’re not drinking. Is it too strong?” Ridley asked. “I probably overdid it. Since I can’t have alcohol anymore, I had to guess at how much tequila to add. Jackson tasted it before he left and said it was okay, though.”
Ridley smiled at the thought of her husband. Katie had been worried about them but if the satisfied smile on her friend’s face was any indication, they had worked things out. Just as Katie had known they would.
“No, the drink is good. I’m just daydreaming.”
“Are the kids okay?” Ridley pressed.
“Oh yeah. They’re fine. Mrs. Hillard is babysitting tonight and she brought her grandson Carter along again. They always have a good time when she babysits so it’s not that.”
“But it is something,” Ridley argued, her eyes narrowing.
Kaylee plopped down on the couch beside Katie. “You might as well just tell her. You know how she gets.”
The whole group laughed at Ridley’s disgruntled face. Raina patted her twin’s hand consolingly. “You know it’s true, Ri. You’re not happy unless you’re meddling.”
Kaylee covered her mouth with her hand she was laughing so hard. “You’d better watch out. If she thinks you’re not moving fast enough, you’ll end up booked into a hotel with Bennett.”
“That was an accident I swear,” Ridley said.
Kay didn’t look convinced. “I think your brain does matchmaking subconsciously.”
Ridley sniffed. “I’m just concerned for my friends. I want you all to be happy, that’s all.” Her voice was small and Katie instantly felt bad about the teasing.
“I know you do, Ri. I’m happy. I’m just … confused. Okay, here’s the thing.”
Katie took a deep breath. If she was going to tell them what happened, she had to choose her words carefully. No matter how angry she was, Bennett was still their brother-in-law.
“You know how Bennett and I have been dating, right?”
“Uh huh. Things seem to be going well. Julia’s thrilled about it, you know.”
Katie winced. “I’d hate for her to get her hopes up. Especially since it’s probably already over.”
Ridley’s eyes widened. “Whoa. What does that mean?”
“You know how Bennett originally wanted me to help him so he could impress his friend Olivia?”
There was a chorus of nods and hummed agreement. Katie figured they’d all heard the story through the grapevine by now.
“Well, apparently even though we’re together, Bennett is still going on a date with Olivia.”
Ridley’s mouth fell open. “Wait, what? Bennett wouldn’t do that!”
“Oh, I didn’t think so either. So I asked him point blank and he said he couldn’t cancel on her so close to the event. That it was rude. The man who would barely say hello to his neighbors is worried about being rude.”
“That’s crazy. I can’t believe Bennett said that. I’m going to give him a piece of my mind the nex
t time I see him.” Ridley looked outraged on her behalf.
“No, I don’t want that. He should be with me because he wants to be. Not because he’s afraid of his sister-in-law.”
“He’s not afraid of me,” Ridley protested.