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Ben shot a grateful look at Emma before turning back to Ghost and hefting the saddle off the mare and carrying it, the saddle pad, and her bridle to the tack room. He emerged a few moments later and began to use a curry comb to loosen the dirt which had stuck to Ghost's sweaty coat. |
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Brock scoffed and loaded his stuff, leaving before the end of the hour. Emma sighed, going to the barn and leaning against a stall door while watching him. "Thank you, by the way." She began, slightly shy after the mess she'd just caused. "If you are alright with it, I could use a friend in my living room with a movie and beer maybe?" |
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Ben watched Brock leave, feeling triumphant, queasy, and unsure all at the same time. He put Ghost back in her stall and was hanging up her halter when Emma spoke to him. He didn't look up, just fiddled with the green lead rope in his hands. "Well, someone had to stand up to him." Ben hadn't ever stood up to anyone quite like that before, and he didn't know what to do with himself. "I'm mostly glad he left because of how he was treating his horse. The poor guy." He forced himself to drop the lead rope and face Emma. "Uh, sure?" He didn't want to be rude and not accept her offer, plus a chill night would be nice. |
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Emma smiled thankfully and led him to the house, craving one open for both of them and turning on a movie. She tossed a blanket at him too |
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Ben sat down on the couch, and caught the blanket Emma tossed. "Thanks" he muttered. The movie was an action-comedy, and Ben found himself laughing, truly laughing, for the first time in a long while. |
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Emma laughed as well, glancing at him with a grin |
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Ben smiled back, all past awkwardness gone. They watched the rest of the movie, laughing and cringing. When it was finished, Ben stood and stretched, stiff from sitting for so long. "Whoo, that was fun," he said, yawning. He glanced at his watch. 7:48. "Hey, we missed dinner." |
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"oh, I'm so sorry. I'll make something right now, I'm so so sorry" she rushed out, hurrying to the kitchen |
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Ben raised his eyebrows to himself and hurried after her into the kitchen. "Woah, it's not your fault. We were both caught up in the movie. I don't mind a late dinner, really. Let me help, I love cooking." He offered, stopping in the doorway to the kitchen so as not to seem intrusive. |
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"No, it's fine, I'm so sorry" She hurried, getting stuff out for spaghetti |
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Afternoon Storms, then Clearing
