Oh. My. God. The man was killing me.
Then, he snorted.
"I'm just messing with you. I do have it backed up."
"When was the last time you did it?"
He froze.
Aha! It had been a while.
"You need to do it every week. Or every day. Depending on whether or not you think you can handle losing a week's worth of information if something happens. Better yet, set it up to happen automatically."
Ben shook his head. "You can't help yourself, can you?"
I didn't pretend ignorance. "Nope. I was born assertive and independent and I'll always be that way."
"I promise I'll do that tomorrow morning when I get in."
I narrowed my eyes at him. "I'm not sure I can trust you."
"Will you punish me if I don't?" he asked before he ate the last of his crust.
"Yes. I'll crash your system."
"Vicious woman."
It wasn't the first time he called me that, but both times he said it as though it was a compliment. As though he liked that aspect of my personality. He was the first man I'd spent a lot of time with who truly seemed to enjoy my twisted sense of humor.
"I'll come by and set it all up for you tomorrow," I said.
Ben's brows rose. "How much will that set me back?"
"A steak dinner and a future favor to me. That's my friends and family discount."
"Include the translation of your tattoo and it's a done deal."
"Sorry, deal-breaker," I said, sipping my drink.
"Friends tell each other things," Ben said, giving me a faux wounded look.
"Not everything."
He finally let it drop and we went back to eating in silence for a few minutes.
I finished my second piece of pizza and my Coke around the same time that Ben finished his fourth. Normally, I could put away the rest but Cam had made me sample some new ice cream flavors that afternoon and I hadn't realized I was still full.
"You have plans for the rest of the night?" Ben asked.
"Not really," I answered. I leaned forward and said, "Cam's having dinner with Brody and Jacks at their new house. Did you know that?"
He shook his head. "Nope. My brother's dating life is his business." Then, he changed the subject. "Wanna hang out and watch a movie at my place?"
Somewhat disappointed that he wasn't as excited about Cam and Brody's family dinner, I collapsed back in my chair. "Sure."
"I have to go to bed early though," he stated.
"I'll have you home by nine," I teased.
