Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 74575 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 373(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74575 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 373(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
When I pulled up at the restaurant, I was pleased to see that it didn’t look very crowded. I parked, then got out and started for the front door. I was about to head inside when I heard, “Elsie! Hold up!”
I turned and found Ben walking towards me. I couldn’t help but smile when I saw that he was wearing khakis and a crisp white button down with loafers--which was quite different than the brothers’ jeans and leather vests. I gave him a warm smile as I said, “Hey, Ben. I’m sorry I’m running a little late.”
“Don’t worry about it. As far as I’m concerned, you’re right on time.” His eyes skirted over me as he said, “You are totally worth the wait... You look incredible.”
“Thank you. You look really nice, too.”
“Glad you think so.” He reached down and took my hand in his, then led me up to the front door. “I hope you’re hungry.”
“I’m starving.”
“Great.”
He held the door open for me and waited as I stepped inside. It was a small, family-owned Italian restaurant with worn leather seating and quaint little lanterns glowing at each table, making it feel warm and inviting. It was the perfect place for a first date. The hostess led us to one of the small booths in the back, and once we were seated, she took our drink orders and offered us each a menu. “I’ll go get your drinks while you two take a moment to decide what you want to eat.”
“Sounds good. Thanks.” Ben studied his menu a moment, then asked, “So, whatcha thinking?”
“I’m not sure. The lasagna is really good here, but I think I’m leaning towards the chicken marsala.”
“You can’t go wrong with either.”
“Yeah, I was kind of thinking the same. What about you? What are you having?”
“I’m not sure. I’m still mulling it over.” His face was still buried in his menu when he said, “You know, I’m kind of surprised that you came.”
“Really? Why’s that?”
“I don’t know. Just a feeling, I guess.” He glanced up at me as he confessed, “I’m really glad you decided to come, though.”
“It’s still early. You might change your mind about that.”
“I highly doubt it.” He looked around the room, then said, “You’re the most beautiful woman here. No way I couldn’t be happy about spending time with you.”
“You’re very sweet.”
“Just being honest.”
He gave me a wink, then studied his menu for a moment longer. Once he decided on an entrée, he motioned the waitress over and gave her our order. As soon as she was gone, Ben rested his elbows on the table and leaned towards me. “So, tell me a little about yourself.”
“What do you want to know?”
“Anything. I mean, I know you go to school at PC, and you’re taking Spanish two. I’m pretty sure I overheard you say you were in the business program.”
“I am. I’m hoping to graduate at the end of this semester.”
“That’s great. Any idea what you will do after you graduate?”
“I’m still trying to figure that out.” I took a sip of my soda, then told him, “I’m hoping something will come up between now and then.”
“I’m sure you’ll figure it out, but if you don’t, my uncle runs the real estate office in Oak Harbor. He also has some rental properties that he needs help managing. Maybe he could find something for you.”
While I had no interest in real estate, I thought it was sweet of him to offer his uncle’s help. “Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.”
“You should. He does really well for himself.”
The waitress came over and placed our food on the table, and my mouth started to water when I saw the plate full of chicken marsala. “It looks wonderful.”
“Wow.” Ben glanced over at my plate and then back to his own. “I think I might’ve made a mistake.”
“I’d be more than happy to let you have a taste or two.”
“A taste or two? Hmm.” He gave me a playful wink as he flirted, “I gotta say, I like the sound of that.”
“The marsala, Ben.” I gave him a stern look. “And only the marsala.”
“Okay, okay. Understood,” he chuckled.
We continued on with our small talk as we ate, and it was nice. Ben was not only handsome, but the perfect gentleman. Sadly, I didn’t feel the slightest spark as I sat there across from him. It didn’t seem fair. He was so open and easy to talk to. He told me all about his sister and the crazy adventures they’d had when they were kids. And even shared a few funny stories about his roommates and frat brothers.
The more he spoke, the more comfortable we both became. I told him about Lacy and the other girls, and then, he asked a question I’d hoped he wouldn’t ask. “So, what about your family? Are you guys close?”