Five Ways to Fall (Ten Tiny Breaths, #4)(25)

My ears begin to burn as I feel their eyes shift from me to each other and back again, no doubt discussing what to do. Ben must have picked up on my anxiety because he reaches over and clasps my hand with his. I don’t even try to pull away. Leaning in slightly, he murmurs, “You okay?”

“No.”

A mixture of surprise and concern flickers within his eyes. “Do I need to hurt someone for you?”

Despite the situation, I feel my heart melt a little. It’s kind of sweet that Ben’s taking on a protective role. I guess years of being a bouncer have developed those instincts. “Yes, but not in the way you’re thinking.” From my peripherals, I see Jared shift out of his seat and start heading my way, Caroline on his heels.

Oh shit. “We’re dating, okay?” I blurt out without really thinking.

Ben’s face stills for a moment. And then a smirk that is nothing short of victorious spreads across his lips. “You want my help?”

“Please, just—” I don’t have a chance to beg before I find Jared standing next to the table.

“Reese? Is that you?” The smooth cadence in his voice is just as alluring as it was the first time I met him, when he ensnared me in his trap. Caroline wastes no time roping her bony arm through his, indiscreetly positioning her hand so that her rings are front and center in my line of sight. In case I didn’t already know that they were married. I force myself to take a slow, calming breath, only to sense the rattle in my chest.

“Hey, Jared.” I’d love to sound indifferent or flippant, but I can’t keep the softness from my voice. Jared’s very presence has always had a tranquilizing effect on me. From the corner of my eye, I notice Ben’s eyebrow spike as his gaze shifts to my arm, where the noticeable tattoo remains.

“Wow, you look so . . . different.”

I flick a few strands of my hair. “New job requirement.” A wobble in my voice belies my casual answer. I hate it.

Jared’s attention turns to Ben, quickly scanning his upper body, before moving back to me. “What are you doing in Miami?”

“I live here. I moved nine months ago.” Right after you ripped out my heart.

“Huh, Lina didn’t say anything about that.” That’s because she would have tortured you if she could get away with it. My straight-laced friend has a mean streak just waiting to be unleashed, probably worse than mine. “We just moved here about . . . uh . . .” He frowns, seemingly flustered.

“Two weeks ago,” Caroline finishes for him in her heavy southern drawl, adding, “into a fantastic condo by the water.” Her cheek rests against his shoulder. “Right, honey?”

That seems to snap him out of it. “Yes. Right.” He bites his lip. “I got a welding job down here. Working on ships.”

“Just like you always wanted,” I murmur, hazarding a direct look into his eyes. They’re still as piercing as always.

“Exactly.” A small, quiet smile touches his lips. Jared’s never been a big grinner. Not like Ben. He’s naturally reserved, choosing to sit back and take the crowd in rather than lead the charge.

There’s a long pause during which Jared simply stares at me and I grit my teeth and Caroline seems intent on molding herself to his body. This is beyond awkward. The only one who seems perfectly at ease is Ben. By the wide smile on his face, the bastard is enjoying this.

He sticks a hand out. “Hi, I’m Ben.”

With a slight nod, Jared accepts it. “Jared.”

“The ex-husband, right?”

Jared’s face twists with a hint of displeasure. “And this is Caroline.”

Ben winks at her. “The mistress.”

With a slight pucker, she tucks her hair behind her ear and offers, “The wife. Jared and I have been together since we were twelve.” As if that justifies everything. I hear the hidden message clearly. My marriage to him was a frivolous blip in their planned life of happiness.

“Right.” The dryness in Ben’s voice is rare but unmistakable. He obviously doesn’t care if he offends anyone and he’s happy to pet the elephant in the room. Part of me wants to kiss him. The other wants to punch him square in the nose.

Thankfully, he changes topic and tempo in a heartbeat. “Great place here, down by the water.”

“I know, right?” Caroline’s eyes lighten up and I wonder if it’s all an act. If she’s really this cheerful and sweet. “I just love their coffee. I come here every morning.”

I know this already. I know because last Tuesday I sat out on a park bench and waited almost an hour for her to appear. She comes in for her morning coffee at eight thirty. Then she walks four blocks west to an old renovated house where she’s an administrative assistant for an insurance brokerage. I know this because I followed her from the café to her place of work.

And I am well aware that what I did is entirely unhealthy.

“So you must have just gotten married. Congratulations.”

Does Ben not miss a damn thing? Men are not supposed to notice these things. And men like Ben are definitely not supposed to notice these things. I shoot a “way-to-bring-that-up” glare his way but he ignores me, keeping his eyes on the happy couple.

“Yes. Back in July, in Savannah. It was the most beautiful, classy wedding.”