Page 40

I took a sip of water and cleared my throat.“You make a fair point, and the Pinot Noir happens to be a favorite of mine, so you have escaped judgment.”
An unexpected dimple made an appearance.“Good to know I can still impress you.”
I shrugged, trying to play it cool, despite the new wave of heat washing over me.“Still?That implies you’ve impressed me before.”
“Don’t act like I haven’t.”Hunger and desire flashed in those green eyes as he stared at me.I knew damn well what he was insinuating.
The moment stretched, our eyes locked, and I was about to admit defeat when the server popped up with a bottle in hand.
I broke my gaze from Ben and leaned in my seat while the server uncorked the bottle.He poured a small amount in my glass, and I didn’t need to taste it to know it was to my approval, but I did.As I expected, perfection.“Delicious,” I said, and with a nod, the server poured both our glasses before placing the bottle on the table.
We ordered our food, and I had a moment of silent victory when Ben ordered the lobster ravioli.
“I thought for sure you’d get the steak,” I said once the server left.
“If this lobster ravioli doesn’t change my world, I’m blaming you.”
A grin toyed at my lips as I swirled the wine in my glass.“Fair, but I can’t wait to say I told you so.”
“I didn’t realize you were so competitive.”
“I’m one of seven.Of course, I’m competitive.My siblings could turn anything into a competition.What about you?Did your siblings make you competitive?”
“Yes, but not in the same way yours did.”
“What do you mean?”
“They assumed I was incapable.I had to prove to them wrong.Not exactly the basis for a loving relationship.”
My smile faded, the warmth from earlier cooling.“That sounds… lonely.”
Ben shrugged, his shoulders tight.“It was.Still is sometimes.But it taught me how to stand on my own.”
“The one good thing about Vine Valley.You’ll never be lonely again.”
His eyes softened.“That’s just it though.Being around your family… it’s the first time I’ve realized how alone I’ve actually been.Kind of like you don’t know what you’re missing if you never had it.”
My heart ached as his words settled between us.I reached for my glass, not because I needed a drink, but because I needed something to do with my hands or I’d reach across the table and offer him the comfort he’d been missing.But I didn’t know if I was ready for that sort of intimacy.
Before I could say anything, his gaze flicked past me.His jaw tightened, and whatever softness that had been there before vanished.
“Everything okay?”I asked, following his line of sight in an attempt to figure out what caused the sudden change.
The smile he flashed was forced and insincere.He grabbed for his glass, but didn’t take a sip.“Just thought I saw someone I knew.”
He brought the glass to his mouth, taking more of a guzzle than a sip.“Good wine,” he said as he put his glass down.
My eyebrow arched as the air shifted around us, but then his eyes met mine, and his smile wasn’t forced or insincere.It was soft again, but almost sad, as if he wanted to memorize this moment before it slipped away.
“You sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah.”He took a smaller sip.“I’m just… glad I’m here with you.”
Before I could press farther, the server appeared with our entrees, placing them in front of us.Ben straightened in his seat and thanked the server with his natural charm.
“Moment of truth,” he said, picking up his fork.
But my mind was still stuck on that look he had given me, that flicker of something haunted.I wanted to push, to get him to open up more.