Let It Be Me by Becky Wade (top young adult novels .TXT) 📕

“Oh?”

“If I were married or had a family, it would probably be the part of the house I’d use the most. As it is, I’m usually here alone. I don’t have much use for a dining room table or a sitting area.”

“What about the kitchen? Do you cook?”

“Not really. You?”

“Not really.” They made their way to the two-story wing.

Downstairs, he showed her the half bath and the den where he watched TV. Upstairs, they walked through the guest bedroom, connecting bathroom, and the room that served as his office. Then they stepped into his master bedroom, which thankfully, he kept clean.

He wouldn’t have thought twice about showing anyone else his bedroom. But this was Leah. The fact that he was showing her his bedroom made this seem intimate. Irrational things he’d never say out loud crammed into his head. Marry me. Sleep here with me. Live here with me.

They reached the landing at the top of the stairs. “I love your house,” she told him. “You and the architect who was glad to get rid of you did an excellent job.”

Their eyes held. For a split second his brain blanked, and he couldn’t find words. “Have . . . have you learned anything new about Jonathan and Trina Brookside since I saw you last?”

“Not much. I visited the house where they lived twenty-eight years ago and found pictures of Trina and Sophie online.”

He wanted to say, “Please let me know how I can help.” But he only let himself nod.

He heard the back door open.

Ben, no doubt. He needed to give his friend warning. “Look who was walking down my street,” Sebastian called as he and Leah made their way downstairs.

Right when they reached the foyer, Ben came into view. He hesitated for only a moment before a grin broke across his face. “Leah! Great to see you.”

“You too,” she answered, hugging him.

They stepped apart. “I didn’t think I’d get to see you until Wednesday,” Ben said.

“Same.”

Sebastian’s gut knotted. Ben filled Sebastian in on a lot of aspects of his life, but he no longer spoke about Leah. Until Leah had mentioned her date with Ben earlier, he hadn’t known about it.

“How was your trip?” Ben asked.

While she described a few of the highlights, she pulled out her phone to find some photos to share.

Ben took the opportunity to send Sebastian a look that said, What are you doing with my girl?

When Leah returned her phone to her arm band, Ben’s friendly expression snapped back into place.

“Would you like something to drink?” Sebastian asked.

“Water would be great.”

In his kitchen, he surveyed his pantry. “What about something to eat? I’ve got crackers, sunflower seeds, protein powder, collagen.” He considered the contents of his fridge. “Greek yogurt, leftover chicken and rice, olive tapenade.” He motioned to the bowl on the counter. “Clementines, bananas, sweet potato.”

“Collagen and sweet potato, please.” Leah spoke from her position across the island next to Ben.

Ben bent at the waist, chuckling.

Sebastian arched a brow. He wasn’t above a challenge. “I can make you a collagen shake—”

“No, no, no,” she said. “Just water and a few crackers, please.”

“Ben?” Sebastian asked.

“I’ll have a banana.”

He passed out water and food, glad for the chance to give her something, even something small.

They stood around the island, snacking, talking. The whole time, Sebastian could sense Ben’s suspicion.

Leah looked between them with interest. “How long have you two been friends?”

“Nineteen years,” Sebastian answered.

“I’m envious. I wish I’d had a friendship like yours.”

“How come you didn’t?” Sebastian asked.

“I made some good friends back when I was around the same age that you were when you became friends. But then we all went separate directions when we were eighteen. One of them lives in California. One in Florida. One in New York. I’ve kept in touch with most of them, but less and less as the years passed.” She adjusted her barrette. “I’m convinced that you two are the gold standard in male friendships.”

It didn’t feel like that at the moment, since he was certain Ben wanted to punch him and he’d like to punch Ben back.

“Nah,” Ben said good-naturedly. “We’re not the gold standard. We’re just two normal guys.”

“Who were rescued from earthquake rubble by a supernatural act of God?” she asked dryly.

Ben released an amused whistle.

“What do you like best about each other?” she asked.

“I like that Ben’s loyal,” Sebastian said.

“Sebastian’s determined. More than any other person I know, he gets things done.”

“Okay. So what drives you crazy about the other?”

Ben lifted his eyebrows. “You really want to stir that pot?”

“I do. What drives you crazy about Sebastian?”

“He’s opinionated, and he’ll fight for his side, even when he’s wrong.”

“That’s true,” Sebastian told her.

“What drives you crazy about Ben?” She broke a cracker in half and popped a piece into her mouth.

“Instead of confronting me, he’ll sometimes stay quiet about the things I do that bother him.”

“Also true,” Ben said.

She ate the rest of the cracker.

“Have you demoted us from the gold standard?” Sebastian asked.

“Not in the least.”

“I realize that I haven’t known you as long as I’ve known Sebastian,” Ben said to her. “But you do have a friend in me, Leah.”

“I know,” she said. “I’m thankful.”

If these two became a couple, he’d have to see them together often. If they married, he’d attend their wedding. Then he’d visit them at their first house. Then he’d hold their baby in his arms.

The thought filled his body with a wash of dismay.

A knock sounded, immediately followed by the whoosh of the front door. “We’re here!” a feminine voice called.

“In the kitchen,” Ben called back.

Natasha and her younger sister, Genevieve, pulled up short when they saw a stranger in their midst.

Ben performed the introductions, finishing with, “This is Leah Montgomery, the most outstanding advanced math teacher in Georgia.”

Understanding swept across both sisters’ faces as they realized that this was the Leah Ben had been talking about for months.

“I’m delighted to meet you,” Genevieve said.

“Ben’s great, isn’t he?” Natasha asked.

“We adore Ben,” Genevieve explained.

“Can you confirm my suspicion that