A deep blush spreads across Bennett’s cheeks. Oh no, he’s mad.
My stomach flips. I should’ve told him last night, especially after how honest he was with me. If he never wanted to see me again, I’d understand. Please say something, Bennett. I’ll take any vowel, verb, or expletive you want to throw my way. I’m ready.
My apology is on the tip of my tongue when Bennett meekly says, “I know.”
“You know…” I trail off confused, waiting for him to finish my sentence. “What do you know?”
Bennett looks at me with careful eyes. “I know who you are.”
I choke down my “sorrys” and “I meant to tell yous.” I was not ready for that. They’re just five simple words, but they hit me like a meteor.
“Wait. What?” I finally say. I feel the blood drain from my face.
Someone from behind the curtain shouts, “Places everyone!” On stage, Marcus gives an opening speech but I can’t process full words in this moment.
“I don’t understand,” I say, my mind running through all the different scenarios. At what point did he find out? Or did he know this entire time? Why wouldn’t he have told me? “Did you know who I was when we met at Lucky Monkey? I knew you were spying on me!”
“What? No! I didn’t know who you were until the end of the baking class,” he calmly explains.
“You knew who I was almost every time we saw each other, and you didn’t tell me? Why? Why did you ask me out last night?” I ask, processing it all. Was he trying to finish off Lunar Love? Is he trying to steal more of our ideas? I let my guard down for one night so this Rat could manipulate me. I know better.
Bennett looks down at the floor. “I was thrown off. I really was testing out the app on our first date. After having just seen you at Lucky Monkey, I don’t know, it was weird. When you started bombarding me with questions, it clicked. I brought up Lunar Love to see if you’d bite, but you didn’t. I caught on to what you were up to when you pretended to want to see my office, and I decided to join in. Knowing who you were made it easier to take a risk and ask you out. I had all the facts. It made me more comfortable.”
I lift my eyebrows in surprise. “You had all the facts on me so you felt in control? That’s why you asked me out?”
“No, that didn’t come out right. I—”
“And what do you mean it clicked? How do you even know who I am?” I ask, my tone edgier.
“Hey, remember that you lied to me, too,” Bennett says. “You’re also complicit in whatever this is. For all I know, you could’ve known who I was before our first date.” He scrunches his forehead in thought. “Wait. Did you?”
“Did I what?” I say obliviously.
“Did you know who I was before our first date?”
Caught again. I bite my lip. “I knew who you were since the Matched with Love conference, okay?” I say, finally conceding. “You were there yammering on about how opposites can attract and handing out beta codes and surprisingly soft eco-fleece like candy.”
Bennett studies my face. “That wasyouI was debating with?”
I look past his shoulder to avoid making eye contact with him.
“Good for you. You had me fooled. So you, what, saw me at the conference and then purposely used my app to match with me?” he says in a slightly joking tone.
I don’t answer.
His mouth drops open. “No…way. And here I am thinking fate played a role.”
A small snicker tumbles out. We may have coincidentally run into each other at the bakery, but we were brought together because ofmymatching abilities. Sure, they may have been onhisapp, but that’s beside the point.
“Fate? Please. Iamfate,” I mumble. I regret ever wanting to tell him the truth.
Out of nowhere, Bennett breaks into laughter, his entire body shuddering in amusement.
“You think this is funny?” I ask, looking around at the stares we’re attracting.
“I laugh so I’m not completely freaked out. We both lied so we could see more of each other,” Bennett says.
“I don’t know ifthat’strue,” I say, though this isn’t entirely accurate. Part of me did want to see him again, and now after this, we’ll probably never see each other again. That’s a discomforting thought.
