“Of course,” replied Ella.“Just make sure whoever seats you puts you in my section.”
“I will,” promised Ben.Then as if unable to contain himself, Ben kissed her as passionately as he had been dying to do all night.He felt her stiffen as his tongue broke through the seam of lips and touched hers for the first time.But she did not pull back.After a moment, Ella relaxed into him and allowed her tongue to join the sensual dance.They continued for several minutes until a light went on inside Ella’s house.It startled Ella, and she jerked herself back.
Running the back of her hand over her lips, Ella said softly, “I need to go.I have an early day tomorrow.Thank you for tonight.I had a wonderful time.”
Nodding, Ben said, “Yea, me too.Sleep well.See you tomorrow.”
Ella nodded, then turned and quietly entered the back door of her house.
Looking down at his watch, Ben saw that it was just a little after 11:00.He had almost ten hours to kill before he could see her again.Heading back to the rental house, he knew he would spend almost all of it thinking about her.
Chapter 3
The Depot Café
Napa, California
Once Ben dropped Ella off at her house, he went back to the guys’ rental and played Ping-Pong for a couple of hours with Davy.The others wasted away the night in the pool.It was the last night of Davy’s bachelor party.The next morning, Davy’s fiancée, Mia; her parents; and the rest of the bridal party would be arriving for their wedding, which would be on Sunday afternoon at a winery just outside of town.
Ben and the other groomsmen had come to Napa on Wednesday for his bachelor party.After three full days of drinking and celebrating, Ben was ready to move onto the wedding portion of the program.Luckily for him, there was not much for him to do on the day before the wedding.Davy had to meet with Mia and her mom, but Ben and the other groomsmen were on their own until Saturday night’s rehearsal dinner.Ben planned to spend as much of that time with Ella as possible.
Because Davy did not have to be anywhere until the early afternoon, he decided to join Ben for breakfast.They arrived at the café a few minutes past 8:00, leaving their hung-over buddies to sleep off another night of too much wine, women, and song.
Ben asked to be seated in Ella’s section.Once seated, he spotted her immediately.Seeing him, she offered him a sweet smile as she fluttered around the café, refilling coffee cups and taking orders.
As quickly as Ella could, she made her way to their table.“Hey,” she said, giving Ben a shy smile.Looking at him, all she could think about was the kisses they had shared the night before.A subtle blush tinted her cheeks at the memory.She felt embarrassed and excited at the same time.She could feel those effervescent bubbles fizzing through her veins.Ella tried to act normal, or at least as normal as she could with Ben so close.“Can I get you started with some coffee?”she asked.
“Coffee sounds great,” replied Davy.
Ben also nodded yes as he looked Ella up and down, then reached out and softly caressed her hand.“You look lovely this morning.”
Ben’s touch sent a tingle ricocheting through Ella’s entire body.It was all she could do to hold on to the coffeepot with her other hand.“Thanks,” she replied.Trying to regain her composure, she asked, “Do you know what you want today?”
“I would love to have what I had yesterday minus the Bloody Mary.I am good with just coffee today.Let me see what that was,” Davy said, looking at the menu.
“Me too,” replied Ben as he too began to scan the plastic menu in front of him.
Before Ben and Davy could find what they had ordered the previous day, Ella recited what each had ordered the day before as if they were everyday regulars.
Davy’s eyebrows shot up, clearly surprised and impressed.“Wow!That was incredible.How in the world did you remember that?”
Smiling, Ben said, “Ella here is a genius.I think she may be the smartest person I have ever met.”
“No doubt,” replied Davy.“You are very impressive, Ella.”
“Remembering that you each got the special yesterday is really not that hard.”Ella was slightly embarrassed and pleased at the same time.“I will put this in and check back with you in a little while.”Giving Ben a smile, she walked back to the kitchen.
After Ella left the table, Ben said, “See what I mean?That girl is something else—smart and beautiful.Did I tell you she graduated from high school at sixteen and will finish college in December at nineteen?”
“Yes,” replied Davy with a laugh.“You did, like four times.You are so into her.Are you going to invite her to dinner tonight or to the wedding tomorrow?”
Ben shrugged.“I have thought about it.Would you mind?I know you have just met her.I would not want to impose.”
“Are you kidding me?Those dopes back at the house are going to bring several women I have never met.I guess that’s what a plus one on the invite means.You get to invite someone neither Mia nor I have met.At least with Ella it will be someone I know who is awesome.There is no telling what kind of girls Jack and Brooksie will bring.”
Ben laughed as he said, “Truth, my brother, truth.”
For the next hour, Ben watched Ella’s every move as he and Davy talked and enjoyed their breakfast.Around 9:00, Davy took off, claiming he had several things to do before he was to meet with Mia and her mom.Promising to see Ben later, Davy once again encouraged him to bring Ella to the wedding events.
