"I've been in business development and data analysis software implementation for the past decade," Ben replied smoothly. "Most recently, I was part of a three-way partnership developing custom data analysis solutions for corporate clients."
"Was?" David caught the past tense immediately, his eyes narrowing.
Did you think I’d come in here unprepared? I was born prepared.
"Yes," Ben acknowledged without hesitation. "My partners and I recently dissolved the company by mutual agreement. Everyone wanted to explore new opportunities. We sold the company and the code base.”
"I see," the older man said, his tone suggesting he didn't see at all.
"And what are your prospects for…exploring new opportunities?"
"I've had several offers, but I'm taking my time to find the right fit. I believe in making deliberate choices rather than rushing into situations I might regret. I’m lucky in that I have the luxury of taking all the time I need to make the decision."
It looked like his answer had shut David up, but Ben wasn’t naive. As soon as the man regrouped, he’d be back at it. For now, he was pondering Ben’s insinuation that he didn’t need to work and was financially independent.
"And your family?" her mother interjected, passing the cookie plate. "Are they in New York as well?"
"No, ma'am. They're in Montana. A small town called Harper. My father was the sheriff there until his recent retirement. My mother owned the local coffee shop for years. Mysister took over as sheriff, and my younger brother manages the coffee shop."
Ben watched as Kelly’s parents exchanged glances, trying to reconcile Ben's polished appearance and confident demeanor with his small-town, middle-class background.
What can I say? I’m complicated.
"Sheriff," her father repeated, a note of interest creeping into his voice. "Law enforcement is a respectable profession."
"Yes, it is," Ben agreed. "My father served the community for over thirty-five years. He was involved in some fairly high-profile cases during his career."
Now that was an understatement.
"And what about your future plans?" her mother asked, smoothly steering the conversation back to what she considered important. "Career aspirations? Family?"
He’d rehearsed for this question. He’d thought Kelly might be exaggerating about her parents, but if anything, she’d been nice.
He took his time answering, not wanting to appear as if he’d prepared for their, frankly, rude queries.
"I believe in building a solid foundation first. Career stability, financial security. These things matter before making other major life decisions. But I’m certainly not opposed to marriage and family someday. My own parents had been happily married for over thirty years. They have been a wonderful example for my siblings and me.”
It was the perfect response, noncommittal yet responsible-sounding, impossible to criticize without appearing unreasonable. Kelly was now staring at him in barely concealed amazement. He wasn’t the same man who'd had a Cheeto stuck to his shirt when they'd first met. There was far more to him than that.
At least, he hoped there was.
"And how did you and Kelly meet?" Trevor asked, speaking up for the first time. His tone was genuinely curious, free of the judgment that laced her parents' questions.
Ben glanced at Kelly, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
"We're neighbors, actually. We live across the hall from each other."
"That's convenient," her father remarked, his tone making the word sound vaguely suspicious.
This man was determined to find something to be angry about. What a way to waste a life…looking for shit to be pissed off about.
"It is," Ben agreed pleasantly, refusing to take the bait. "Though I think what really brought us together was a shared interest in solving puzzles."
"Puzzles?" her mother echoed, her questioning gaze darting from Ben to Kelly and then back again.
"Kelly has quite an analytical mind," Ben continued, his gaze shifting to Kelly, giving her an encouraging smile. "She sees connections others miss. It's impressive."
Her mother and father appeared almost upset that he’d said something nice about their middle child.
