Charlie felt herself smiling. “Fair point.”
“Besides,” Ben continued, “I meant what I said earlier. About bringing you back up there to draw. Whenever you want.”
“You really mean that?”
“Yeah.” He held her eyes. “I know all the best spots. Good light, good angles. And I promise I won't hover. I'll just... keep you company. If you want.”
Charlie's heart did something inconvenient in her chest. “I'd like that. A lot.”
Ben's answering smile made her forget about her steak entirely.
They talked through the rest of dinner—about the mountains, about the Ren Faire, about books they'd both read. Charlie found herself laughing more than she had in months, found herself leaning forward across the table, found herself not wanting the meal to end.
When the server brought the check, Ben reached for it immediately.
“I’ll get it,” Charlie offered. “I have an expense account.”
“Not a chance.” Ben's voice was firm but gentle. “I asked you to dinner. I'm paying.”
“Ben—”
“Charlie.” He looked up at her. “Let me do this. Please.”
She could have argued. Probably should have, just on principle. But the way he was looking at her—like this mattered, likeshemattered—made her relent.
“Okay,” she said softly. “Thank you.”
“Walk you home?” Ben said with a grin.
“I don’t know. It’s pretty far.” Charlie grinned back.
“I think I can manage it.”
They walked back through the lobby toward the elevators, not quite touching but close enough that Charlie could feel the warmth radiating off Ben's shoulder. When the elevator doors opened, they both stepped inside.
Ben pressed the button, then stepped back beside her. The doors slid shut, leaving them alone in the small space.
Charlie could feel her pulse in her throat. Ben was close enough that she could smell the faint scent of cedar and woodsmoke that seemed to cling to him. Close enough that if she turned slightly, they'd be face to face.
The elevator dinged and opened onto her floor.
The doors opened and Charlie stepped out, Ben following. They walked down the hallway toward her room in silence. The air felt charged. Every last cell in her body screamed for her to drag Ben into her hotel room and spend the rest of the night working off dinner.
Remember you’re on the job? This isn’t a hook-up.
“I should probably let Shane know I’m back.” She looked across the hall at his door. “I’ll text him when I get inside.”
Just then, her back spasmed and she hissed through her teeth.
“Charlie?” Ben was immediately on alert. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, nothing.” She rolled her shoulders, feeling the familiar ache settle between her shoulder blades. The drive had been long, and sitting in one position for hours always made her back stiffen up. “I’m just stiff. Spending years speeding across waves like speedbumps in a little boat out on the ocean takes a toll on your body.” She twisted at the waist and her spine popped like gunfire.
“Do you have anything for it?”
“I have some muscle relaxants, but I don’t take them on the job. A couple ibuprofen and I’ll be fine.”
Ben shook his head. “That’s not good enough.”
