Maid in Ink [PUBLISHED]

Chapter Nine

At work on Friday I feel anxious. The closer it gets to the time I get out the closer I'll be to seeing Dylan again. I know I shouldn't be thinking about him, especially since I've been hanging out with Ben for the past two days, but I can't help it. I just want things to be normal again.

I'm putting clothes on the racks when I feel someone put their hand on the small of my back. I whip around to see Ben standing there with a backwards baseball cap on his head and a black and white baseball shirt.

His smile makes me smile. "Hey, I didn't know you were coming," I tell him. We've been hanging out at my apartment for the past two nights and everything seemed like it was going well for us.

"I just wanted to see you before you leave for the weekend," he says. "I hope this is okay."

"Yeah, it's great," I assure him. "I finish my shift in a few minutes. I can meet you outside if you want."

He nods and lets me finish putting the clothes away. I take the larger rack to the back so I can clock out. I gather my things and say my goodbyes to Bee.

My things are already packed so I can leave straight to Casey's place. I do a mental check list before I head outside. Ben is parked near me so he walks in my direction.

His blue-green eyes stand out today and part of me wishes I could stay so we can waste the afternoon away at my place. When I look directly into his eyes I suddenly see Dylan's pretty green eyes and I immediately look away.

"Everything okay?" Ben asks, a frown forming on his face.

"Yeah," I nod quickly. "I'm just ready to get on the road."

He opens his arms for a hug and I wrap my arms around him. He's a little shorter than Dylan and it's strange how I feel the difference. I also wish I could stop comparing them, but it's hard not to.

We let go and he gives me a smile. "Have fun this weekend. And be careful."

"I will," I promise him.

He leans in for a kiss and our lips meet hungrily. Flashes of the past two nights seep into my mind as his hands slip to my waist. I still feel his hands all over me.

We break the kiss before it gets too heated. My cheeks feel warm and Ben has a playful smirk on his face. "Hurry back," he says.

We part ways and I hit the road to home, letting Casey and my Aunt Jade know.

My mind wanders as I drive, and I wish it wouldn't. Hooking up with Ben gives me a rush of emotions that I really like. It's very...vanilla right now.

I wonder what Dylan is like now. We only had sex twice between high school graduation and when we broke up, and while both times were amazing, I always wanted a little more.

A guilty feeling settles in my stomach for thinking about Dylan while with Ben. I need to clear my head of these thoughts before I see Dylan otherwise I might make some bad decisions this weekend.

~

Saturday morning Casey is up bright and early trying to make sure everything is ready for the shower. She's on the phone with her mom double checking everything on her list. Props for games, decorations, among other things.

Levi and I sit at their small dining table while she paces in the living room. It sounds like her mom forgot something so she's ranting to her about it.

I glance over Levi. "I hope you know what you're getting into," I say, laughing. I love Casey with all my heart, but she is a lot to handle.

He laughs too. "Trust me, I do. I like it."