Kate Little – Baby On The Run (страница 10)

Carey was seated across from Jeff’s wife, Alice, a friendly blonde in her mid-thirties. She was busy keeping her eye on their three children, and didn’t bother Carey with too many personal questions. Carey was able to answer with the cover stories she’d told Ben.

Until, as Alice passed a platter of roast goose, she said, “So, how long have you and Ben been dating?”

A mouthful of corn bread caught in Carey’s throat. She blinked and smiled.

“We aren’t dating. I just met Ben last night. On the road. I had a car accident and he stopped to help me.”

Carey carefully omitted the part about how she stayed over at Ben’s house. That would only give Alice the wrong impression…again.

“Oh, that’s too bad. About your accident, I mean.” Alice cast her a sympathetic look, but also seemed as if she didn’t quite believe that Carey and Ben were not romantically involved.

Carey could hardly blame her. She supposed to the rest of the party, they did look like a couple. They’d walked in together and were now seated side by side, with Ben’s arm slung around the back of her chair in a familiar way, and he’d also just taken Lindsay into his lap so Carey could finish her dinner.

Alice’s look seemed to say that maybe Carey didn’t think they were involved…but they were.

One of Alice’s little boys ran up to her to ask a question, interrupting the adult conversation. Carey was relieved. But suddenly she felt self-conscious. Did everyone here think she was Ben’s girlfriend?

She suddenly wanted to tap the side of her glass, stand up and announce a disclaimer. “Hey, everyone…just so you know, Ben and I are not dating. We just met last night…at a car accident.”

Then she felt silly. Did it matter what Ben’s family thought? It would only really matter to him. After she left. He probably only saw these relatives once or twice a year anyway and most likely, didn’t care what they thought about his social life.

She also knew, someplace deep inside, she was cooperating with this mistaken impression.

How easy it would be to slip into that role of his girlfriend, his romantic partner. And it was Christmas. And they were both alone. So perhaps playing this pretend game for the day was a harmless but helpful way for each of them to get through the holiday?

Ben’s sister, Luanne, finally emerged, wearing kitchen whites—a chef’s white jacket, and work pants. She was tall, with a full, shapely figure. She looked a few years younger than Ben and shared his good looks. Her long dark hair was pulled back in a tight ponytail and she also had the trademark Martin blue eyes, Carey noticed.

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