Page 42 of Live Like There's No Tomorrow
She nodded. “I don’t know how to do a little at a time. It’s like a door that, when you open it you step into this dark and lonely place, and it sucks you in, you have to stay a while.”
Ben sighed. “And we need to go through that door together.”
Charlotte swallowed. “I hope this first date isn’t going to put you off. You’re supposed to talk about fun, light, and fluffy stuff on a first date, right?”
He nodded. “You are, but that’s why we’re in such a weird place. We can’t step back to where we were, but we can’t start fresh from nothing either. We’ve got too much shared history and not enough at the same time.”
“That about sums it up.” She smiled. “I think we’ve done enough darkness for one night though. I vote we get back to light and fluffy. And I can’t think of a better way to do that than to order dessert.”
Ben chuckled. “Let me guess, double chocolate whatever-they-have?”
“Yep, you know me so well.” She held his gaze, knowing he was thinking that he used to. And of course, she was hoping that he would again.
It was late when they finally made their way outside. Ben took her hand and led her back toward his car. “What do you think, would you like to come over and see the apartment?”
Charlotte looked up into his eyes. She would like nothing more than to go home with him, but she was exhausted, physically and emotionally. She slid her arms around his waist and smiled sadly. “I would like, yes, but I think for tonight I’ll make do with a goodnight kiss. I really want us to do this properly, Ben. I’d like for us to go slowly.”
Ben slid his fingers into her hair. “However you want to play it, that’s fine with me.” He tilted her head back and brushed his lips over hers. Charlotte clung to him as he kissed her. His kisses had always carried her away—away to a place where nothing but the two of them existed. This case was no different, and she was so grateful and happy for him to take her there again. When they finally came up for air, she wanted to change her mind, wanted to ask him to take her home, to make love to her and truly bring them back together, but she didn’t. It was best to go slowly, and like he said, enjoy the anticipation.
“When can I see you again?”
“As soon as you can spare the time,” she said with a smile. “What are you doing tomorrow night?”
“Whatever you want me to do.”
“You are too sweet, I can’t imagine you don’t need to work on a Friday night, but what do you think, would it be okay if I came to the Boathouse?”
“It’d be more than okay, so much more. The band will be playing and I think most of the gang will be coming out. How do you feel about that?”
“I think that’d be lovely. I’m looking forward to catching up with everyone.”
He nodded. “I don’t have to work work, but I do like to be there to keep an eye on things. We can go somewhere else if you prefer.”
“No, that’ll be perfect. I’ve not come back to change your life, just to see if I can fit into it.”
He hugged her to his chest and dropped a kiss on the top of her head. “I know you can fit into it, Charlie. And I hope that you will change it.”
Chapter Twelve
“Hey, bossman.” Kenzie grinned at Ben. “So, tonight’s the big night then, is it?”
“I don’t know what you mean.” Ben tried to hide his smile. It seemed the whole town knew Charlotte was back and knew that she’d be coming to the Boathouse tonight. “Who told you anyway?”
“You know what? I don’t even remember who told me first,” she said with a laugh. “I think every single person I have talked to today has either told me or asked me about you and Charlotte. I’m thinking we may need reinforcements behind the bar. I’m pretty sure the whole town will be here.”
Ben shook his head with a rueful smile. He was kind of pleased, and at the same time, a little anxious. It was nice that people cared, but it felt like a lot of pressure for things to go well.
Kenzie raised an eyebrow at him. “Are you happy about it?”
“Of course I’m happy. I’m just not used to my personal life being under the microscope.”
“Oh, come on. Everyone’s rooting for you. It’s not like people are being nosy, we just want to see you happy.”
Ben gave her a grateful smile. “I know and I appreciate it, but it still feels like pressure, you know?”
Kenzie shrugged. “Sorry, but I can’t say I do.” She smiled when Chase came in and sauntered over to join them. He leaned across the bar to kiss Kenzie then pulled up a seat and smiled at Ben. “I’m not going to interrogate you, I’m sure Kenz has done that already, I don’t think she’s talked about anything else since Charlotte came back.”
Kenzie made a face at him. “I don’t know what you mean! I merely mentioned—in passing—that I’m excited for Ben, that’s all.”
