A Million Miles Apart (Wish 4)

26 - Blue

They viewed the silent auction items together. Ben had donated a signed worn game jersey and some framed autographed photos. She was tempted to bid on the jersey. When she stared at it, Ben gently tugged on her hand to move on. He hissed in her ear. "Crazy fan." She didn't care, because he didn't let go of her hand. She wanted his worn shirt, but not the kind on display. She wanted the kind she picked up off the floor and put on to cover herself before making morning coffee.

His hand was warm and comforting the way it wrapped around hers. If he didn't kiss her, she might have to kiss him. She could use her crazy fan excuse, but he was the one holding her hand.

The auction items varied in value from gift certificates for restaurants and spas to high end vacations and pieces of art. She spent a few moments looking at some handcrafted jewelry. A photograph of a sunset over a blue shimmering ocean caught her eye.

"Oh, I like that!"

Ben smiled. "I was thinking the same thing. It reminds me of Florida."

It reminded her of Saint Thomas. "You should bid on it."

He looked into her eyes and shook his head. "But you like it."

"Yes, but so do you and you have a home in Florida, not me."

"I like the blue ocean."

"Your favorite color." She smiled at him. Although she liked the photograph, she wasn't even sure where she would hang it. Eventually she needed to take the time to buy her own furniture and decor, but Mia's things were fine. "Just bid on it."

"Are you always so selfless?" He acted genuinely surprised.

She shrugged. She couldn't say she was with him. She was trying to get over her disappointment that the discussion of the photograph caused him to drop her hand.

"I'll wait until the bids are ready to close, unless you change your mind."

She smiled and felt a tumble in her belly as his eyes lingered on her lips. She wanted to kiss him. "Dance?" He held out his hand, and she took it. Her hand felt at home again.

As they stepped onto the dance floor, she leaned into him. "Do you remember what I showed you?" He nodded. "Should I lead?"

"I think you can just help me if I mess up."

"Of course. Trust me."

He looked down at her as he placed his hand on her back. She felt his fingers on her bare skin.

"I do trust you. You've shown me over and over that I can."

He moved, and she followed. It wasn't like dancing with Ted. Her insides didn't feel jumbled when she was in her brother's arms. She leaned into Ben for support and he held her tighter. His fingers brushed the small of her back and she could feel his heart beating. It was as rapid as her own.

He whispered, and she wondered if she heard him. "It reminds me of your eyes."

She looked up at him. "What?"

"The ocean. It reminds me of your eyes."

She was certain her face was as red as a tomato. He laughed at her discomfort. She considered stepping on his foot, but focused instead on his admission, which couldn't have been easy for him. They danced in silence. Kenzie and Jett were dancing on the other side of the dance floor. Jett had to be the reason Kenzie wasn't right next to them. When the song ended, he asked if she wanted a drink and she instantly felt the loss of his body against hers.

She excused herself to the ladies' room while Ben went to the bar. He had only had a taste of champagne all night and she hadn't told him what she wanted to drink.