both Jacks and J.J. over for barbeques by the pool in the summer. I need plenty of room to spread out here because those two guys are okay cooks but they get in my way constantly."
I could see him in this kitchen in his faded jeans and black tees, barefoot, as he made something delicious.
"You cook?" I asked.
Ben rolled his eyes. "Yes, I cook. You think having a dick means I don't make my own food?"
I shook my head. "Nope. I have a vagina but I couldn't cook to save my life. I once scorched one of Cam's pans because I forgot I was boiling instant brown rice. It was so bad that she had to throw it away."
He laughed. "How'd you forget you were cooking?"
"Well, it's been a while, so I can't really remember. I think I was watching TV."
Ben chuckled and walked over to a sleek stainless steel fridge and slid the bottom drawer out. He fished out a bottle of vodka and held it up. "Still want a drink?"
I nodded and moved over to the island to boost myself up onto it.
"Vodka and soda?"
"Yes, please." I swung my legs aimlessly and watched as he moved around the kitchen, making me a drink. I didn't even have to ask him for lime because he grabbed one out of a bowl of fruit next to my hip and started slicing it up.
"So earlier tonight you said you work with computers, right?" he asked. "Like IT or something else?"
"I'm a computer programmer for a software developer. I write programs and apps, fix code and bugs, that sort of thing. I work remotely most of the time because they send me all sorts of places to work with their subsidiaries, which is nice, but I just got a promotion into management so I won't be required to travel as much."
"Sounds like an interesting job."
He brought me a glass with three lime wedges in it. Wow, he definitely paid attention to detail. That was something I appreciated in people. Like Josey the bartender and now Ben Murphy.
Our fingers brushed when I took the drink and the corner of his mouth lifted in a half-smile.
"Thank you." I sipped my drink before I said, "It is an interesting job, at least to me. Cam's eyes glaze over when I talk about it too much. But what about you? You own a business here, right? Working on cars?"
Ben nodded and headed back over to the other counter to make his drink. "I mostly do repair jobs but once in a while I get a restoration project and that's what I really enjoy doing. I like bringing old cars back to life."
"See, that sounds interesting to me." I took another sip. "And this is a delicious drink, so why don't you tell me about it while I finish."
Ben picked up his glass and stood next to the island, leaning his hip against the counter right next to my thigh. "What do you want to know?"
"What does a typical day look like for you?" I asked. "Walk me through it." I'd always been curious about how other people lived their lives. As much as people are alike, they're also different in the most fascinating ways.
His eyebrows lowered. "Seriously?"
I nodded.
"I have no idea where to start," he said.
"What time do you get up? Like, what's your morning routine?" I asked.
"It's pretty boring," he hedged.
"Just tell me."
"Promise you won't give me shit?"
I grinned and shook my head. "But I'll tell you about how I usually roll out of bed and spend the entire day in my pajamas while I'm working and I won't get mad when you give me crap back."
"Fine," he said with a sigh.
"So, what time do you get up and what do you do in the morning before you go to work?"
"I get up around five and work out. I'm usually showered and walking out the door with a protein shake or something by six-thirty. The shop opens at seven and I spend the first ten or fifteen minutes double-checking the schedule and projects for the day and make a pot of coffee. Cassie rolls in around seven-thirty and I go out into the shop to start on whatever needs to be done. I have three other guys that work for me so we don't just do repairs and restorations, we also do oil changes, tires, and other routine maintenance."
"Sounds like you're pretty busy," I commented. "What time do you close up shop?"