Page 63 of Ruining Him (McKinley Ranch Duet 2)

“Fancy seeing you here,” I say.

“Beebee, what the hell are you wearing?” he asks as he looks me over from head to toe. He’s the only one who gets away with giving me a nickname like Beebee. He started it the day I got stung by a bee when we were in the fifth grade and I swelled up like a balloon.

“It’s a dress, Ben. People wear them.” I slump down in my chair.

He looks over my shoulder to the table I just left. “He hasn’t noticed, huh?” Ben observes.

“Not a word. He just pretended like I wasn’t at the table.” I think I’m over it now. I’m going to just find a nice boy my own age and start dating. I’m not waiting around for someone who doesn’t want me.

Ben wraps his arm around my shoulder. Glancing back towards Ash, he whispers in my ear, “Don’t be so sure he doesn’t notice, Beebee. Right now, he’s looking at me like he wants to tear me limb from limb.” He kisses the top of my head and I snuggle into his shoulder.

“Thanks, Ben.”

“Bree. Ben, it’s great to see you again, but Bree is at a family dinner and needs to return to the table.” Oh my god, can my dad be any more embarrassing right now?

“No worries, Mr. McKinley. BeeBee, you look amazing. Don’t worry about what anyone else says. Or doesn’t say,” Ben offers as I stand up.

Dad puts his arm around my shoulder. “Is Ben the boy who doesn’t notice you exist?” he asks.

“Ew, Daddy. God no. Ben’s my best friend—that’s all.”

“That’s good. It’d be a shame to have to make him disappear.”

As I take my seat back at the table, Ash glares at me. “Problem?” I ask him, folding my arms over my chest. I don’t miss his reaction. His eyes travel to my chest and back up. Maybe he’s not so immune to me after all.

“Yes, there is. A huge one,” he says before looking away again.