“I imagine this situation might cause some problems in your relationship.”
“Are he and I in a relationship?” How many dates does a relationship make? It’s been a long time since I’ve considered that question.
Ben clears his throat again. “I think that’s probably a question for Noah.”
“Right.” I tug the notebook back to my side of the table. “So anyway. Will you help me?”
He leans back in his chair, cradling his coffee mug against his chest. “Of course. I am here to help you succeed in your tasks, after all.”
I pretend like the reminder doesn’t sting. “Great. Any bright ideas on how to make about ten times as much money as my current projection?”
His brow furrows. “That might be a little trickier. But let me think on it. I’m sure if the two of us spend some time together, we can come up with something.”
“You’re a genius.” I bolt upright, the force of my brilliant idea almost knocking me out of my chair.
“I am?”
Clapping my hands together with excitement, I flip to a clean page and start writing furiously.
“Care to fill me in?”
When I continue to ignore Ben’s pleas for information, he comes around to my side of the table, leaning over my chair so he can attempt to read my scribbles.
And I’m so focused on my project that it takes me a full minute before I realize the warmth of him is completely surrounding me. My pen clatters to the floor and I sit back,the sudden movement bringing me even closer into Ben’s sphere.
He doesn’t move. So I don’t either.
My heart is pounding like it wants to knock itself right out of my chest.
Ben reaches out for the notebook, tilting it up so he can see my practically illegible handwriting better.
He still doesn’t move.
His scent is fucking everywhere. And how come whatever woodsy natural smell he has is so much more appealing than Noah’s undoubtedly expensive cologne?
“Wait a minute. Does that say what I think it says?” Ben’s indignant tone yanks me out of my smell-induced reverie.
“Do you think it says Date Auction? If so, then yes, yes it does.”
Ben drops his arm and backs away from me as if I smell like I bathed in Noah’s cologne. “Sweetheart. Be serious. You do not actually mean to auction off people?”
I roll my eyes. “I’m not auctioning off people. I’m auctioning offdateswith people. Think about it. Ethan would probably bid enough on a date with Emma to cover the whole down payment.”
Ben pinches the bridge of his nose, falling into the seat next to me. “This is the worst idea I’ve ever heard.”
“You’ll probably bring in a good chunk of change yourself.” Not from me, obviously, but surely someone in Heart Springs will be interested in a date with Ben.
“You are even more delusional than I thought, sweetheart. There is nothing you could do or say to get me to participate in this farce.”
I stick out my lower lip. “Ben, come on. Don’t you want to help Emma? Haven’t you been on me the whole time we’ve known each other, trying to get me to consider other people and be a productive member of society and shit like that? Don’t you want me to find my life’s passion so we can get out of here and go home?”
“Yes, but not at the cost of my dignity.”
“It’s not my fault you’re scared to think outside the box, sweetheart.” I nudge him with my elbow. The pointy part. “Admit it, this has the potential to bring in some major cash flow. Cash flow that Emma desperately needs, I might add.”
“Are you going to auction yourself off?”
“God no.” I laugh, loudly.
