And then Ben’s face contorts. I’m confused for a moment before I catch my reflection in the window. Before I see that Connor’s hand has come to the small of my back and is urging me forward in line. For the first time, I think I might have fucked up by bringing a date.
Ben flags down Gabe to take over the register, right as we walk into the shop. He explains a few things to Gabe and then rounds the corner, heading straight in our direction.
“Red.” He dips his head in greeting. “Glad you could make it.”
“The place looks great,” I reply, watching as Ben eyes Connor. “Oh, this is?—”
“Connor Page. Nice to meet you.” Connor sticks out his hand for a shake, Ben grasping it a little too hard.
He doesn’t reply to Connor, instead turning to face me, and I ready myself for whatever he’s about to say. “Odd choice.”
Odd choice?
“I—” Connor starts, pausing when Ben lifts a hand in his direction.
“Don’t be rude, Benjamin,” I snap.
He shrugs his shoulders. “I’m just saying.” He turns and gives Connor another once over. “Looks a bit like the bargain version.”
“The bargain version of what?” Connor asks, obviously having a hard time keeping up with our conversation.
“Of me.” Ben winks.
“Oh for fuck’s?—”
Connor looks between the two of us, interrupting with, “Am I missing something?”
Ben claps Connor on the shoulder. “You, I’m assuming, are missing a lot of things, Conrad.”
“It’s Connor,” he replies, peeling Ben’s hand off of him.
“Doesn’t matter.” Ben rubs his hands together. “I won’t ever see you again, anyway. Gotta get back to work.” He points his finger at me as he slowly backs up.
“Don’t say it,” I plead.
He opens his mouth, closing it just as quickly with a flex of his jaw. “Once he’s run off, you stay,” Ben commands.
“No,” I retort.
But I do.
Connor stays long enough to get a cup of coffee and then makes up some excuse about how he completely forgot he was meeting his grandma this afternoon. I don’t look at Ben when Connor leaves, but I can feel him watching me.
I find a seat by the window, continuing to observe the shop operations. Thea and Chloe come over and sit with me for a while before they both decide it’s time for a nap. Gabe brings his computer by at some point so we can get my first few shifts scheduled in the coming weeks. Elaine even sits with me for a while, talking all-things psychology and my shift from the engineering world.
The entire time I feel Ben’s gaze. Every time I look up, he’s watching. He’s not even a little bit subtle about it.
I hate that it’s comforting.
I hate that it’s familiar.
And, most of all, I hate that I don’t hate his attention on me.
Eventually, though, I realize I need to go home and let Ernest out. Maybe take a bath. Maybe make sure my vibrator is charged.
Or maybe…
As if he can sense my impending departure, Ben takes another break from behind the counter, dropping into the seat across from me.
