Ben laughs darkly. “Yes, I am. And this is my woman. Her, right there, Becca, she’s my woman. You don’t talk to her that way. I suggest you apologize and leave.”
The man looks like he’s waking up like suddenly the alcohol has lost its effect.
“I’m sorry,” he mumbles, glancing at me. “Jesus, I need to sober up. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have…I’m sorry.”
Ben looks at me, a smile touching his lips…but then it falters, and it disappears from his face when he realizes what he just did.
He just outed us, our relationship, without even thinking about it.
We both turn at the same time to see how Alex is going to react.
But Tiffany is standing there alone, her hands raised as though to tell us she doesn’t know what’s happening. She’s looking between Ben and me like she can’t believe it.
And yet, there’s something else in her expression. She doesn’t look that surprised now that I look closer.
It’s more like she’s trying to act surprised.
Or am I imagining that?
“We have to go after him,” I say, turning to Ben and touching his arm.
He takes my hand. “I didn’t mean to…I forgot, Becca bee.”
“I know,” I say. “I’m glad you stood up for me.”
“But timing,” he sighs. “Goddamn it.”
“Let’s go.”
I rush for the door, silently wishing I’d listened to Ben, silently wishing we’d told Alex sooner.