“I’ve built a successful career in L.A.”
“But you’re not happy there. Admit it. Here, you tell people what to do and they listen to you. You don’t get that kind of deference in Los Angeles.”
“Not everyone here takes my advice.” Ms. Helen was a notable exception. Vaughn was another. Benita rubbed her index finger over her bottom lip. “You’re wrong. I can be happy in L.A. And now that Vaughn’s with someone else, what’s the point of my returning to Trinity Falls. There’s nothing for me here.”
“Benita—”
She held out her hand to stop whatever it was Audra was about to say. She spoke after a calming breath. “I’ll tell the recording company you’ve accepted the new contract. Let me know when you’ve sent it back to them.”
Benita managed to leave the cabin and climb into her car without having a major breakdown. She slapped the tears from her eyes before driving back to Ms. Helen’s house. It had been a terrible mistake to come to Trinity Falls for the university’s ceremony in her great-aunt’s honor. Ms. Helen didn’t want the ceremony and Vaughn had broken up with her. Benita swallowed the lump in her throat. She couldn’t wait to return to L.A. and shake this town’s dust off her shoes.
Vaughn stood on Ms. Helen’s porch late Monday afternoon. He was debating his next move. Was it a good idea to ask Benita to help him with his musical? Probably not. Working on a project with his ex-lover was probably the stupidest thing he could do. But he needed her help. Vaughn pressed his right index finger into Ms. Helen’s doorbell before he could make another mental round of this circular argument.
About a minute later, the door swung wide. Benita’s smile didn’t reach her hazel eyes. “Come in. Doreen’s here. We’re all in the kitchen.”
Why wasn’t she surprised to see him? Vaughn entered Ms. Helen’s home. He glanced at the peephole on the door, which offered one possibility; she’d been prepared to see him. But he was as nervous as the night he’d picked her up for their first date. That had been an experience. Her father had all but drug tested him.
“Actually, Benita, I’m just leaving.” Doreen’s voice preceded her appearance in the foyer by seconds. She was bright and cheerful in a powder blue ankle-length skirt and lemon yellow blouse.
“Welcome, Vaughn. We can use another Watcher.” Ms. Helen walked beside Doreen. Her snow white hair was contained in a thick braid that hung past her shoulders. She’d paired green yoga pants with a loose gold blouse. Purple socks protected her feet.
Vaughn frowned from Benita to Ms. Helen as he stepped farther into the room. He caught Benita’s cinnamon and vanilla scent. “Who are the Watchers?”
“Ms. Helen, why do you call us that?” Doreen gave her neighbor a chastising look. “We’re not spies. We just like to visit with you.”
“Who wouldn’t want to stop by for tea and snacks?” Benita crossed to the other side of the room. Vaughn wondered whether she was putting distance between them.
Ms. Helen didn’t seem convinced. “Are you here for tea, Vaughn?”
“No, thank you, ma’am.” Vaughn still didn’t understand what he’d missed. “I wanted to pay my respects to you. But I’m here to speak with Benita.”
Benita’s eyes widened with surprise. “About what?”
“Could we talk in private?” Vaughn slipped his hands into the front pockets of his dark gray slacks.
“I should leave.” Doreen hugged Ms. Helen. She adjusted her purse on her shoulder, then bid Benita and Vaughn a good afternoon before disappearing through the front door.
“I’ll leave the two of you to the foyer.” Ms. Helen gestured toward the pale brown faux leather love seat. “Vaughn, are you sure I can’t interest you in some chai tea?”
“I’m fine, Ms. Helen. But thank you for the offer.”
“Then I’ll leave you two alone.” Ms. Helen started across the living room. “I’ll be reading in my bedroom, if you need me.”
“Thanks, Aunt Helen.” Benita pointed toward a vent beneath the ceiling. “From her bedroom, she c
an hear everything that happens here.”
Vaughn shook his head with a chuckle. “Thanks for the warning.”
He couldn’t keep his eyes from enjoying the sight of Benita in her flowing red blouse and figure-hugging black pants. She had such long legs for such a short woman. He remembered the feel of them wrapped around his waist. Vaughn swallowed a groan.
Will I ever stop wanting her?
“How’ve you been?” He nearly winced at his lame question.
“Fine, and you?” She hadn’t moved from her spot across the room.
“Fine.” Vaughn shrugged off his tweed blazer and hooked it onto the black metal coatrack in the corner. The act brought him closer to her.