“Okay, well let’s see.I am about to graduate from Cal Poly Tech with a degree in geology, with a concentration in hydrology.I have been accepted into the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability master’s of science program.I am set to begin in the fall.”Ella said all of this matter of factly, as if graduating college at nineteen in hydrology was no big deal.
Ben’s eyebrows shot up and his head jerked back at her words as if he had been shocked.If Ella had told him she was an alien from a faraway planet, he would not have been more surprised.For a moment, he looked at her, trying to figure out if she was yanking his chain.Of all the things he thought she might share about her life, the fact that she was about to finish college at nineteen was not one of them.Deciding that she was being straight with him, he shrugged.“Wow!I never saw that coming.A geology major with a concentration in?What was that again?”
“Hydrology,” said Ella.
“Hydrology,” replied Ben.“Holy crap.You must be some kind of genius.How old were you when you graduated from high school?”
“Sixteen,” answered Ella.“It was during Covid.Everything was online.I was able to graduate early.”Ella did not expound on her educational background or giftedness.Time and experience had taught her it came off as bragging.It was a subject that the less she said about it, the better.
“Holy crap,” Ben said again.He was not used to being intimidated by other people’s intelligence.He was one smart cookie himself, but this girl was off-the-charts brilliant.He should not have been surprised because he had seen the intelligence and humor in her eyes earlier, but he was blown away.He realized he had underestimated her.Blinded by her looks, he had almost missed her most attractive quality, her brain.He wondered how many other men had made the same mistake.Taking a deep breath, he gave her a look that reflected how impressed he was by her and asked, “So Ella-with-the-huge-brain, what are you going to do with all that education once you finish your master’s program?What was it in again?”
Without missing a beat, Ella replied, “Environment and sustainability.And I am going to come back here and work for one of the certified gold-level wineries, which are using cutting-edge technology to improve the quality and quantity of the grapes grown here in Napa Valley while being kinder to the environment.”The way Ella spouted out her response, Ben knew it was not the first time she had told someone her life plan.
“Impressive,” replied Ben as he reached over and tucked a strand of Ella’s long dark hair that had escaped out of her low ponytail behind her ear.“And very ambitious for one so tiny.I am starting to think the biggest thing about you is your brain.”
Ella did not have any idea what to say to that, so she said nothing.
Ben ran his hand casually up Ella’s back as he asked, “Do you live on campus at Cal Poly Tech?Are you just home for the weekend?”
Shaking her head, Ella replied, “No.Actually, I have done all of my coursework that I could online.I go to San Luis Obispo two weekends a month for classes and labs.”
“Holy crap, you did college mostly online too?”Ben had heard of people taking a few online classes, but most of the time the grades were awful.Most college kids did not have the self-discipline to get the work done on time and correctly.He was even more impressed with her.And he did not think that was possible.
“I had to,” Ella replied.“My folks needed help with the diner.We are a family business.Like I said earlier, we all pitch in.That is the only way small-town, locally owned businesses make it here.And you know, you say ‘holy crap’ a lot.”
“Holy crap, I do?”asked Ben.Both of them laughed at his response.“I am sorry if it bothers you.I will not do it again.”
“No, it is fine.I just have never been around anyone who used profanity.Of course I have never been to a party before with a guy, so tonight is a night of firsts.”
Ben almost said holy crap again but caught himself.“This really is your first party.You mentioned earlier that you rarely date.Is there a reason you don’t do those things?”
“Well, my folks are really strict.The girls in our family can’t date until they are sixteen.Covid hit a few months after my sixteenth birthday.Like I said, I was so focused on school that boys and dating took a major backseat.And honestly, I have never met anyone I was all that interested in dating before now.”
At her words, Ben’s eyes lit up.“And now you have?Am I to hope you might be interested in dating me?I am more than interested in getting to know the beautiful, big-brained Ella some more.”
Ella scrunched up her nose and said, “Please don’t call me that.It feels like you are making fun of me.”
“Which one?Beautiful or big brain?”
“Both,” Ella replied so quietly that Ben almost did not hear her.Grimacing, she looked as if she were about to cry.
Ben had meant it as a joke, but seeing Ella’s face fall, he regretted his words.Sitting up quickly, he took her face in his hands and said, “Oh, I am so sorry.I am so spectacularly impressed with you.You are the smartest person I have ever met.And as far as being beautiful, you have to know you are.Absolutely, holy crap, beautiful.Oops!Sorry!I won’t do that again.”
At that, both of them laughed just before Ben closed the distance between them and kissed her.Ben wanted to take the kiss deeper but restrained himself.He did not want to scare her.He wanted to spend many more hours over the next few days kissing her so he figured it would be best to pace himself.
After a few more minutes of soft kissing, Ella could not stop herself from yawning loudly.Again, they both laughed.Realizing that she must be exhausted after having worked literally all day, Ben stood and reached to help her up.Telling her to leave the blanket and glasses, he stole one more quick kiss before guiding her back toward the house.
As they came around the side of the yard, Ella saw her earlier prediction that the pool and hot tub would soon be full had been correct.Several of Ben’s buddies and the girls they had invited back to the house were in various states of undress as the party had moved outside.Ella was shocked that she had not heard them because they were very loud.She had been so caught up in kissing Ben, everything else faded into the background.
Waving as they sailed past, Ben called out a goodnight.He guided Ella through the house and out the front door before anyone could waylay them.
The Depot and Ella’s family home were side by side.It only took a few minutes for Ben to walk her to her front door.Just as before, he held her hand as they walked.Instead of going up the front walk, Ella said it would be better if she went in the back way, so as not to disturb anyone already asleep.
Unable to resist, Ben put his arms around Ella’s waist and pulled her in close.Dropping soft kisses on her face and lips, he whispered, “Say you will spend the day with me tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?”parroted Ella.When she was kissing Ben, thinking was too much.It took her a moment to process what he was asking.She had not even allowed herself to think past this moment.But instantly she knew she wanted to spend every minute with Ben that she could.School, work, everything else could wait.“Well,” she replied.“As luck would have it, I am off most of the day tomorrow.Of course, I have to help with the morning breakfast rush, but that will be over by ten.Could we meet up then?”
Giving her a sexy smile, Ben replied, “Ten it is.Is it okay if I come early and eat breakfast there?”
