Bring Me Back(16)

I take a deep breath. He’s right. He’s always right. But it doesn’t dissuade the nagging thoughts in my mind.

“You’re overthinking this, B.” He taps my forehead and blinks earnest blue eyes at me. “I’m a doctor, remember?” He cracks a smile, and when I laugh, he continues, “If I really thought something was wrong I’d tell you. I know on TV shows and movies, and even those romance books you love to read, men look at women and boom they’re pregnant.” He snaps his fingers for emphasis. “But that’s not the real world, babe.”

I nod and he cradles the back of my neck. I cuddle into his side and tuck my head into the crook of his neck. He rubs his fingers through my hair, murmuring sweet words under his breath until he has to get up and get ready.

He drives us over to the café and the other girls are already there.

Casey waves us over from the regular table—as if we didn’t know which one it was already. Hannah and Chloe sit on one side of the table with Casey at the head of one end. Ben takes the other head, his usual spot, and I sit beside him.

“What do you want to eat?” he asks me.

I eye him.

He sighs. “Of course. I’ll be right back. Nice to see you, ladies.” He nods his head at the girls before heading over to the counter.

Chloe sighs dreamily and leans forward, propping her head in her hand and biting her lip. “Would you look at the way his jeans hug his ass? Mmm.”

“Hey, he’s practically my husband,” I scold her.

“I know, but you did good, girl. Man, I wish he had a single brother. If only dreams came true.”

“You’re a mess. You’ll find someone when the time is right.” I wrinkle my nose. “On that note, you need to start dating the right guys. Stop going for the bad boys.”

“But they’re so delicious in their dark jeans, sunglasses, and leather jackets. It’s even better when they have tattoos and spank me.”

I snort.

“Who’s getting spanked?”

Chloe lets out a squeak at the sound of Ben’s voice.

“Apparently Chloe,” Casey says with a smile, twisting a piece of blond hair around her finger.

“I hate you guys,” Chloe pouts.

Ben slides my sandwich and coffee over and sits down with his own.

I take a bite and it’s like heaven in my mouth.

“I don’t know why you’d hate us,” Hannah chimes in. “No one made you say it.”

Chloe purses her lips and mutters, “Well … ”

Casey laughs and brushes crumbs from her muffin off the table. “So the wedding’s soon, are you getting cold feet?” Casey asks Ben.

“Casey,” I hiss. “Why would you say something like that?”

She shrugs and flips her hair over her shoulder. Wrapping her hand around her mug of coffee she says, “You’re overreacting, Blaire. It’s just a saying.”

Ben places his hand on my knee in an effort to calm me, and the gesture does help a little. I’m sure I’m being a little testy what with the baby thing, work, and a wedding.

“No, no cold feet here.” Ben smiles. “My feet are nice and warm.”

Casey gives me a look as if to say: See, it was an innocent question.

Casey’s been my best friend for a long time, and we’ve never fought over a guy, but lately little comments she makes have me wondering if she has feelings for Ben. I know she’s dating James, but I don’t see that making it much longer, and I do know she had a brief crush on Ben when we were in high school. Regardless, I can’t see her doing anything to sabotage my happiness but … but, you never know.

“How’s work?” Ben asks Casey, leaning back in his chair.

She makes a face. “Same old, same old. I used to love law, but lately I want to throw a book at everyone I work with. They’re all a bunch of idiots.” Her voice spikes with irritation. “Even the old people that have been at the firm forever go around asking the dumbest questions. Sometimes I want to say to them, ‘I’m not the adult, you are. Get it together.’ But then I realize I am an adult and I’d probably get fired if I said that.” She takes a deep breath after her long-winded rambling.

“Whoa,” Ben says, holding his cup of coffee midway in the air. “That’s intense.”

“I should probably find another firm to work at, but they’re really all the same.” Casey makes a face like she tasted something sour. “Anyway,” she lays her hands flat on the wood of the table, “let’s talk about you guys. Any of you,” she adds, desperate to get the attention off her.

“I’m moving,” Hannah says.

We all grow quiet and stare at her. “Um, what?” I’m the first to speak.

“Not away,” she clarifies. “But, man, thanks to the look on your faces I know I’d be missed if I did. Anyway—” she waves a hand dismissively “—I’m moving into a new apartment. The lease on mine is up and I can’t take the roaches and rat poop anymore so I’m out of there.”

“It was that bad?” Chloe asks, completely appalled.

“Yep.” Hannah lifts her napkin and begins to break it apart. “It sucks.”

“Now I understand why you’ve never invited us over,” I add.