Read Private Affair (The Private Series) for Free Online Page B

little when he sets her down and he gasps, “Oh, I am so sorry I didn’t think about your arm … which is stupid, because of where…”
    “It’s okay Ben.” She assures him.
    He walks her to the gathering and everyone is starting to tear up and offer little smiles to keep spirits bright, but let’s face it, it’s a less than ideal way to see your loved one on Christmas day.
    Caroline tells us about her schedule here and who she talks to and the activities they have her participate in. She doesn’t complain though. She doesn’t roll her eyes at the things she explains, not like how most would in this situation.
    We stay for a few hours and the place has dinner catered in for everyone, which was really nice of them. Since she can’t be home for a family dinner we are here for her, like how it should be.
    I notice a few girls sitting off by themselves and I nudge Caroline and nod in their direction, “Oh, them, they don’t have anyone. I have group meetings with them and they were dropped off here by a family member or by the state.”
    “That’s horrible.” I feel awful for the girls.
    One of the girls look over and Caroline, the sweetheart she is waves her over. The girl comes over slowly, and Caroline stands to introduce her friend. Everyone is very friendly to her and she sits with us for dessert.
    It’s time for the families to leave and I wait for everyone to say goodbye first so I can talk to her for a second. “You know you can tell me anything right?”
    “Of course Tess, your one of the few people I can.” She gives me a tight hug, “It’s actually nice here and the nice part is it’s a mini vacation form the jerks at school and well social media and my phone.” Her face is soft and I see her as relaxed as ever honestly.
    “You know, most girls your age would have a meltdown if you took her phone and Facebook away.” I laugh.
    Her face drops and she fidgets with her bandage, “Well those girls are the ones I am glad to have a break from.”
    I give her tight hug and whisper, “I know. Hey, who has your phone anyways?”
    “I’m not sure, I think my Dad. Would you just make sure for me, so I don’t have to worry about getting a new one eventually?”
    I put a hand on her shoulder, “Sure thing. Love you C.”
     

     
    We are back home, even though Jack and Gwen were trying to persuade us to come to the house for the rest of the evening, but we wanted time to ourselves. We open the door to the apartment and the glow from the tree is illuminating the living room. It’s a serene feeling in here.
    Ben helps me with my coat and hangs it for me. We don’t need to speak right now to tell each other how we are doing. He glides through the kitchen and grabs a bottle of wine and two glasses. I sit on the sofa, with my legs up Indian style. I lean my head on the back of the leather and close my eyes for a moment, until I hear Ben behind the sofa, above my head.
    He hands me my glass and joins me. I snuggle into his body and we just sit for a while like this, looking at the tree and just being.
    “I cannot wait to use my new lens for work,” I confess, breaking the silence first.
    He kisses the top of my head, “I am glad you love it so.”
    I hear a funny ringtone come from one of the side tables, even Ben has this look of ‘don’t look at me, I don’t listen to that song’ I reach across and see an unfamiliar phone.
    “Is this Caroline’s phone?”
    His face lights up, when he realizes it. “Right! I forgot I grabbed it for her. I thought I’d keep it safe until she can have it back.”
    “Oh, okay, well that’s good, she asked me if I knew where it was.” I look down at the screen and I see a photo of a daisy. Maybe she has a friend from school named that.
    “Before I can set it down, Ben snatches it. “Hey! What are you doing?” I ask.
    “If it’s a friend of hers, maybe she has some answers.” He slides his finger across the bar to answer the call, “Hello?”
    His eyes