All of her instincts were telling her to lean over, get closer, and press her lips to his. See what happens. The tension surrounding them practically vibrated with life.
She swayed toward him, but then abruptly pulled herself back. If she gave in to the impulse, everything would change. Nothing would be the same, and it was all going so well.
The air around them crackled with all sorts of possibilities, but she was scared to cross that line. If he became her lover, would he stop being her friend?
"We should probably go in," Ben said when she didn’t reply. He didn’t look upset, though. If anything, she thought she could see a ghost of a smile on his lips. Was her hesitation amusing? "Callum's expecting us."
"Right. The case."
She was grateful for the reprieve but also strangely disappointed. If he’d pressed…
I would have folded like a cheap tent. Can’t blame me, though. Lots of women would have, too.
As they walked toward the sleek glass building that housed Callum's real estate office, Kelly was acutely aware of Ben beside her. She’d never really noticed how tall he was or how wide his shoulders were. And how good he smelled.
She was now strangely mesmerized by the gold ring around the iris of his eyes and the squareness of his jaw that he’d shavedsmooth this morning. His light brown hair was ruffled by the wind, and she had the strongest urge to smooth it down with her hand.
And then run those fingers through the silky strands, before traveling down his chest and over those dangerously flat abs.
Is it hot out here? Heavens.
Something had shifted between them in the confined space of the car. A new awareness was crackling in the air. She didn't know what to make of it, or whether she should acknowledge it at all.
She was walking in strange and unfamiliar territory. Maybe Ben simply flirted with all the halfway pretty women in his life? Maybe he was just friendly like that?
But the way he’d looked at her, the heat in his gaze… She wasn’t so innocent that she didn’t recognize when a man liked what he saw.
The case. Focus on the case.
But Kelly knew the real challenge now wasn't just finding Lori's killer. That might be the easy part. She had another puzzle, and it was figuring out what was happening between her and the man beside her.
She wasn’t sure she was ready to find out.
Chapter
Twelve
Ben steppedinto Cal Henderson’s office, not entirely sure of the reception they would receive, though the man was smiling and seemed happy to see them. Cal was dressed casually in khaki pants and a gold shirt with his company’s logo. Fit, trim, and tanned, he still looked like he could run the length of a football field.
The office was bright and cheery, the walls were filled with photos of Cal playing golf with friends, fishing, and, of course, his family. If the pictures were any indication, Cal was a devoted family man with a wife and kids who liked to travel. There were pictures of Disney, the beach, and the mountains, too.
Next to him, Kelly stood stiffly, the tension easy to see in the line of her shoulders and spine. Whether it was from seeing Lori's ex-boyfriend or anxiety about the conversation ahead, Ben couldn’t say.
"Come on in," Cal said, waving them toward the desk with an easy grin. "Can I get you anything to drink? Water, coffee, or a soft drink? Damn, it’s good to see you. How long has it been?
“We’re fine, but thank you. It’s been a while,” Kelly said, lowering into a chair across from the desk, and Ben did the same. “Too long.”
“Life gets busy, doesn’t it?” Cal replied. “I guess that’s how it’s supposed to be.”
"This is nice," Kelly said, pointing to a photo on the credenza behind Cal’s chair. “You have a beautiful family.”
Cal sank into a leather chair behind the desk and picked up the framed photo.
"I’m a lucky man. You remember Emily from high school, right? When I told her I was meeting with you this afternoon, she said to tell you hello."
“Please say hello back,” Kelly replied. “I’m sorry I didn’t get to see her today. And this is Ben Reilly, by the way.”
Ben and Callum shook hands over the desk. The vibe in the room was casual, easy, and positive. For the first time since arriving in Bergen, Ben didn’t feel any strange and unspoken undercurrents. It was a relief, to be honest, and made him feel like he could take Cal at face value.
