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“Thanks again for this. I just didn’t know who else to call. And with the storm going outside-“
“Don’t worry about it,” Ben replied, leaning on the doorframe. “You have everything you need?”
Rey let out a short laugh. “More than. You didn’t need to give me your bed. I really would be fine on the sofa.”
“Nah you should have the bed. Besides, you bought all the bedding so it’s practically half yours.”
Rey’s fingers nervously fidgeted. This was why she didn’t want to call him. What could be more awkward than calling your ex of less than a month to pick you up when you’re locked out of your apartment during a storm?
“It’s your bedding. I bought it for you,” Rey countered softly. “But anyway… thanks for letting me stay.”
“You can always stay.”
Rey looked up at him, seeing how intensely serious he was.
“I’ll always have a place for you, Rey, if you need it,” Ben gulped visibly. “I’m always gonna care, even if you don’t want to be with me.”
But I do, she thought, and nearly said it aloud. She nearly crossed the room to him.
But then she remembered all the reasons things between them hadn’t worked and why she broke it off. Besides, he’d leave eventually. Just like anyone else in her life. Best not to drag it out. He’d wanted to hash it all out but she didn’t see the point. They just weren’t meant to be, she was sure of it.
Wasn’t she?
”Ben?”
He stopped before walking off. “Yeah?”
Rey drew a breath of courage. “If you’re not working first thing tomorrow, maybe we could get some coffee… and talk.”
She could see the corner of his lips twitch upward just a bit in the dim light. And just like that, Rey knew in her bones that she was doing the right thing, even before he answered.
“I’d like that.”