“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“You should.” He looks at Chris, who can’t seem to stop staring at me. “Get outta here, man. We’re closing up.”
Chris groans, but grabs his coat and slinks off after paying his tab. When the remainder of the patrons are gone, Scott looks at me. “You should probably go change.”
“What? Why?”
Crystal nods. “He’s right. Otherwise you’re going to give Benny Boy a heart attack. He isn’t going t
o know what hit him when he gets a look at you.”
“But that’s what I’m hoping for,” I say, a little too loudly.
Crystals eyes widen, along with her smile. “It is?”
“It is?” Scott asks, scratching his head.
“Yes! I’m ready. I love him.”
“I knew it!” Crystal fist pumps the air and looks around. “Where’s Ethan? He owes me ten bucks.”
“He’s on his way,” Scott says, a shocked look on his face. Scott and Ben have always been close. “You love Ben?”
“Yes, but please don’t say anything. I have something special planned.”
He nods. “Okay. But Dani, please be sure.”
For the first time tonight, my enthusiasm pales. “I am sure. Why do you say it like that?”
“Because last year about broke his heart.”
“I know. I was an idiot. I made a mistake. But I’m going to make things right.”
“I hope you do, because Ben is a great guy.”
“Do you think he’ll give me a second chance?” I ask.
Scott finally smiles. “I know he will.”
“Good, because I’m ready to settle down. I want more than a date; I want forever.”
A throat clears from behind us, and we all whip around to find Ben standing in the doorway.
My God, he’s gorgeous.
He’s traded in his faded jeans for a pair of darker ones and a flannel shirt—with pearl snap buttons—that wraps tight around his big, strong arms.
Arms I desperately want wrapped around me.
He’s wearing the same brown boots he always wears, but instead of a hat, his dark hair is left loose and tousled.
Other guys would probably use a tube of gel to get the look Ben is sporting. But if I know him, all he did was run his fingers through the soft strands and call it good.
He shifts, pushing his hands into his pockets. His face is unreadable, and I have no idea if he heard what I said until he asks, “What were you guys talking about?”
Whew. He didn’t.
He also hasn’t said a word about the way I look, but that’s okay.