She ate another cookie, and solemnly handed him the box, and they crunched away together in silence.
“I don’t want to go back yet,” Silver eventually said when she realized he hadn’t been joking about clamming up completely. “It really was just a kiss because we’d shared that awesome moment in the cave.” She brushed crumbs off her lap. “It’s not like either of us meant anything by it or are in other relationships where we would have to feel guilty.”
He didn’t say anything, and she kept fishing. “Obviously, I can only speak for myself.”
“I’m not going out with anyone.” Ben met her gaze. “I wouldn’t have kissed you otherwise.”
“Then can we just move on?” Silver suggested.
“Sure.” He nodded. “Like you’d be interested in a guy like me when you could go out with someone like Zac Efron.”
“Zac Efron?” Silver glared at him. “You think that’s the kind of guy I like?”
“Hell, I only know his name because Daisy watched all those stupid High School Musical movies to death. I have no idea who’s hot at the moment. I’m just saying that you’re beautiful enough to date any guy you want.”
“You think it’s that easy? That I just snap my fingers and kaboom, someone takes me out? Have you any idea how hard it is to get a date in Hollywood?” Silver demanded.
“You’re out all the time!” he protested. “I see you in the news wearing some new dress or just out shopping practically every day!”
“I thought you didn’t do trashy gossip,” Silver reminded him sweetly. “I thought you were above that kind of stuff.”
“Can’t help it if I see you sometimes. That stuff gets everywhere. I can’t even go into Maureen’s in town without seeing your face plastered on the cover of some magazine at the checkout,” Ben replied. “And you’re always with some guy.”
“Because usually I’m in a movie with him, and we’re both legally and contractually obliged to turn up, pretend we like each other, and smile for the press. If there are rumors that I might be dating another actor, they usually come from the publicity department.”
“Who wouldn’t want to date you?” Ben repeated.
“Ben, the guys I meet are usually starstruck and babbling, already a star and unwilling to date me in case I upstage them, afraid that I’m prettier than they are, or controlling assholes who want to tell me what to do with my life and my money.”
“That’s... not good.”
“No, it is not good at all. I’m twenty-five and I’ve never had a real boyfriend.” She sighed. “That’s just sad.”
He handed her back the box of cookies. “I definitely think you need these more than I do.”
“Thanks, but let’s save them for tomorrow.” She smiled at him, aware that he now knew more about her than almost anyone else in the world outside her private circle. “You won’t go and tell the press any of this, will you?”
He looked offended. “Who the hell cares what I think?”
“What if they offered you fifty thousand dollars?” Silver asked as she stood and gathered up the plates. “How about a million for a tell-all exclusive?”
“Hmmm.” He got to his feet, rubbing his jaw. “I gotta be honest with you here, Silver, and say that if it was a million, I might have to think about it.”
She marched over to him, one finger already raised to poke him in the chest, and he grinned at her. “Just kidding. I already signed a nondisclosure agreement. I promise you that in the unlikely event that I get hounded by the paparazzi, I’ll keep our secrets, okay?”
“We’ll see, won’t we?” Silver replied. He obviously had no idea how much the press loved to turn up dirt. “If they do contact you after I’ve left, will you at least talk to me before you say anything?”
“Jeez, you’re serious about this, aren’t you?” Ben was staring at her now, her expression concerned.
“Very serious.” She grabbed his plate. “I’ll use the rest of the water to rinse off these plates and pack everything away while you deal with the horses.”
* * *
By the fourth morning, Ben had worked out that just brewing a pot of coffee was enough to get Silver up and ready to face the day. Her phone had died completely the night before and she’d taken it way better than he’d anticipated. Despite her stardom, she had a determined streak that he had to respect, and a practicality that sometimes surprised him.