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Ben hops off the couch and grins at me. “You just relax. I’ll take care of everything.” Then he leans down and brushes his lips across my cheek. “We’re going to have a great first official date.”
And we do. Despite my initial disappointment, Ben more than makes up for it.
We order Italian and he sets it all out on my dining table like we’re at an actual restaurant, complete with a tablecloth and candles and my flowers and soothing jazz music playing in the background. Since we couldn’t decide on which dishes to get, we share an assortment of dishes—lasagna and chicken parmesan and shrimp scampi and spaghetti with bolognese—and stuff ourselves silly, which is definitely not something I’d do if I was out in public.
After dinner, we settle onto the couch, and it’s way cozier than any outdoor patio. Ben loops his arm over my shoulder and his leg rubs against mine, and when his hand touches my bare knee my entire leg feels electrified. I shiver at the sensation, but he thinks I’m cold so he tugs me into his side, the heat of his body searing into me.
The movie selection screen is still on since we haven’t gotten that far. But instead of asking me what I want to watch, Ben rubs his hand up and down my arm and asks, “Are you comfortable?”
“Very.” I don’t remember the last time I sat next to a guy like this, so happy just to be near him. Years, definitely. Maybe never.
He kisses my head, his breath soft on my hair. “Me too. I think I like this better than going out to a restaurant.” He pauses and glances at the TV with the movie selection screen displayed. “Do you want to watch a movie? Or are you too tired?”
I’m tired, but I want to spend time with Ben more. “Can we just talk? Is that okay?”
“Of course.” Ben leans back into the cushions and I follow suit, resting my head on his shoulder. He plays with one of my curls, twisting it around his finger. “How was work today? Was it very busy after being out last week?”
“It was good.” I’m not going to tell him about my basement freakout. “I did two story times, and we had our Reading with Roxy program—I bet Laila would love it—plus I processed a bunch of new books. And I worked on some paperwork—scheduling volunteers, ordering supplies, planning future events…”
He chuckles. “Thea, no wonder you’re tired. It sounds like you were busy all day.”
“Mondays are always busy. And with school still being out, I do more programs for kids. Once we get into September, it’ll slow down.”
“Programs like reading with dogs?”
“Yeah. That’s a new one.” Enthusiasm chases away my fatigue as I talk about my favorite program. “I’d heard about other libraries doing it—they bring in a dog and the kids can read without feeling judged if they’re struggling. It can make the kids more confident in their skills and encourage them to read more. We’ve done it three times now and all the kids love it.”
Ben shifts, his hand moving from my shoulder to curl around my waist. “That sounds amazing, Thea. I’ll definitely bring Laila to the next one. Except then she’ll probably insist on getting a dog and not just the books you read.”
“Laila wants a dog?”
“Of course.” He chuckles. “And a hamster, and a cat, and a horse… she’d have an entire zoo if I let her. But I want to wait until she’s a little older, so she can really take an active role in caring for whatever pet we get.”
I nod in agreement. “That’s probably a good idea.” After a quick pause, I add, “How is Laila doing?”
“She’s good.” His lips curve into a smile. “Right now, she’s probably trying to convince her grandmother to let her stay up another hour.”
“Will she win?”
“No, my mom isn’t a pushover like I am. I always agree to one more story. My mother will put her foot down.”
“Does your mom take care of Laila a lot? She lives nearby, right? I think I remember her coming to the library once or twice.”
“A few times a week. When I’m volunteering, or the occasional time I go out with the guys. And we have dinner together every Sunday. She lives in Tarrytown, so it’s really convenient.”
“That’s nice.”
Ben’s chest rises as he takes a deep breath. Sighing it out, he says, “It is. When I moved from Manhattan to Sleepy Hollow three years ago, my mother wanted to be closer so she could help out. Being a single dad, and with everything going on with my ex…”
His entire body tenses, and he pauses for a moment before continuing. “Anyway. She was living on her own in Vermont—Manchester, where I grew up—so I helped her get a new house and now she gets to see Laila whenever she wants. And it’s good for Laila. There are things as she gets older… she’s going to want a woman to talk to.”
Guilt seeps through his words, and my heart aches for him. In the months I’ve known Ben, he’s been nothing but a devoted father. It must be hard for him to think of the things his daughter would want a woman’s advice on—makeup, bras, periods, boys—and not feel a little unprepared for it.
“I think you’re doing a great job, Ben.” I turn so I can meet his shadowed gaze. “In my job, I see lots of parents with their kids. And I can promise you, Laila looks truly loved. And happy. You’re a wonderful dad.”
Emotion sweeps across his face. “Thea—” He cups my cheek, his thumb brushing along my jaw. “Have I told you how amazing I think you are?”
“I’m not sure.” My chest goes tight, my words coming out breathlessly.
