“It’s okay to drink on a date,” he said. “Just don’t get hammered. Obviously.”
Chloe wondered if Geoff even drank. Based on those ascots, he didn’t really seem like the type.
“And be sure to eat,” Ben said. “Men like women to eat. It’s sexy.”
Chloe laughed. She poked her finger into a stray piece of garlic and popped it into her mouth. “If that’s the case, I’m the sexiest thing on the planet.”
“Yeah.” He eyed her with appreciation. “You’re doing alright.”
Chloe hesitated. It was strange. Ben had been dropping compliments here and there, all night. The one in the apartment about her skirt, something he’d said in the cab on the way over about the color of her eyes and now this. On one hand, Chloe knew he was trying to build up her confidence for the date. On the other, it seemed a little unusual. It was almost like he was attracted to her. For real.
Just like any good study, Chloe decided to test her theory. Stabbing her fork into her spaghetti, she wound the noodles around the tongs and brought them up to her mouth. Feeling totally ridiculous, she placed the fork between her lips and slowly drew it out. Sure enough, Ben seemed mesmerized at her efforts.
Gazing at her lips, he said, “What exactly are you trying to do to me?”
“You said I should eat,” she said, embarrassed. “So I’m just . . . eating.”
“That’s not exactly what I meant.” His gaze locked onto hers. “But trust me, it works.” He flashed his most winsome grin—all teeth and sparkle—typically reserved for the Brazilian model-types.
Completely confused, Chloe studied the red-and-white pattern of the tablecloth. Back when they were kids, she and Ben used to play checkers all the time. They’d have tournaments that could last the whole weekend, which he typically won. Suddenly, it struck her that if he was actually flirting, it was probably just part of a game. A game where he let her imagine exactly what it felt to be on a date with someone who was interested in her.
Chloe looked up and gave him a rueful smile.
Ben had been about to take a bite of his risotto, but he set the fork back down on the edge of the white porcelain bowl. “What’s that look for?”
“Nothing.” Chloe took another sip of wine. “I just figured something out. It’s actually very comforting.”
“Do tell.”
Chloe hesitated. What was she supposed to say? Hey, Ben. I just figured out that after twenty years of friendship, you only think of me as a friend? Well, duh. That wouldn’t exactly be a news flash. In fact, it would probably make the rest of their fake date just a little too awkward.
“Nah.” She waved her fork at him. “But since we’re on a date and I am letting you coach me—thank you again—I do have to know. What exactly are your qualifications for all this? Why aren’t you in a relationship by now?” Once again, she dug into her pasta, wrapping the long linguini noodles around her fork. But this time, the bite she took was completely, totally and utterly platonic.
“You know why,” he said. “I’m having too much fun.”
“No.” She wiped her mouth with the red cloth napkin. “I don’t buy that. You’re always pulling the rip cord on the girls who come over. That doesn’t sound like fun to me. Why aren’t you looking for a relationship? Something serious?”
Ben laughed. “Okay, dating tip number three: Don’t ask your date why he’s not in a relationship. It’s a red alert that you’re just dying to get married and have babies. He will run out of the room so fast that people will think he’s a streaker.”
“So, you don’t want to get married or have kids?” she pressed.
Ben paused. “Of course I do. If I end up with the right girl.”
“But it doesn’t seem like you’re in the market for all that. Or that you ever will be.”
Ben ran his fingers through his hair and she caught a sudden whiff of his cologne. It was the perfect blend of spice and musk, mixed in with something that was just . . . very Ben. “Do you really think that?” he asked. “About me?”
Actually, Chloe hadn’t given it a lot of thought. Ben had always dated this girl or that but he rarely got serious. There was one stretch where he dated a local artist for something like two years but eventually, he broke it