‘It gets us all in the end.’ Eleanor sighed dramatically.
‘That it does.’ He raised his glass in agreement.
Thankfully, before Ben could pick up the painting conversation again, a young baby-faced waiter appeared at their table, holding his notepad aloft eagerly.
‘Sir, madam, are you ready to order?’
‘Can we have a couple more minutes, please?’ Ben asked, as Eleanor nodded her head in agreement. She hadn’t even managed to read the first line.
‘Sure. Take your time.’ The waiter gave a small bow and left.
And take their time they did. It was gone midnight by the time a rather sheepish young barman asked them politely to vacate the table as the restaurant needed to close.
‘Woah, how did it get so late?’ Ben looked down at his watch. ‘We’d better get a move on. Do you want me to call you a cab?’
Eleanor shook her head. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll order an Uber now.’ Normally the thought of getting home at this time on a work night would have sent her into a panic, but tonight she was too full of wine and garlic-covered carbohydrates to care.
‘Can I wait with you until it arrives?’ He stood up and helped her with her jacket.
‘Yeah, it won’t be long though, so if you need to go then please don’t worry.’
He took her chin in his hand and brought her gaze to his. ‘Eleanor, I have nowhere to be but here, OK?’
Her entire body bloomed with warmth that she knew had nothing to do with the food or wine.
‘OK,’ she replied shyly, making her way out of the restaurant.
A group of twenty-something girls staggered past them, practically dragging each other along the road. ‘I bet they’re going to regret being out that late tomorrow.’ She laughed.
‘Says you!’ he teased.
‘Yes,but’ – she smirked, pulling her jacket tighter around herself – ‘their night looks like it’s been a little different to mine.’
‘Oh, really? What would you say your night has been then?’ Ben grinned and took a step towards her.
‘I don’t know.’ Eleanor tried to act as casual as possible. ‘A pretty great second date?’ She smiled, a little embarrassed at being so free with her speech.
‘I disagree.’ He edged even closer to her. ‘I’d say it was the best second date I’ve ever had.’
Eleanor tried to drop her gaze to the pavement, but all at once his hand was on her face tilting her chin upwards.
Her body temperature soared and she felt her breath catch in her throat.
Oh God.
I can’t do this.
The flutter of excitement quickly morphed into ice-cold panic. She tried to look away but Ben held her gaze firm.
‘Eleanor, it’s all right.’ She felt his touch slacken on the side of her face. ‘We can wait, I don’t mind waiting.’
No!
Without thinking, she reached her arms around his neckand pulled his face down to hers. The moment his lips touched hers, she felt her body melt. It was soft and gentle and more lovely than she could have ever hoped for.
‘Waheyyy, go on, girl!’ a drunken call rang out from across the street.
The magic of the moment dissolved and they both pulled away laughing.
