“You like those movies?”
Ben nodded and took a bite of his lasagna. “Love them. I watch them over and over again. I own them all, actually.”
“You.”
“Why do you find that so hard to believe? They were and are still very popular movies.”
“I don’t doubt the popularity of them. I’m doubting that a caveman would ever watch those movies, let alone enjoy one of them.”
“I’m curious . . . when are you going to stop calling me caveman?”
“When are you going to stop calling me sidekick?”
Ben nodded and took a sip of his beer. “Caveman is fine.”
“I still don’t believe you about the movies.”
“Well, I don’t know how I can prove it to you since you and I both know you won’t be going to my house anytime soon to check out my movie collection or my etchings.”
I wasn’t going to let him off the hook that easily.
“It’s not difficult to prove. I mean, if you own them all and watch them repeatedly, you must have some favorite lines from one of the movies. Give me a quote from one of them to prove this is not you just being ridiculous again. Heck, I’ll even stop calling you caveman if you come up with something. Any line, and then I’ll be quiet.” I pretended to zip my mouth shut.
He leaned closer to me. “Now, it isn't that I don't like you,Lori, because after all, in moments of quiet, I'm strangely drawn toward you.” He winked. “But—well, there haven't been any quiet moments.”
I swallowed hard.
Grandma Joyce was right; Ben’s voice was deep and smooth and hypnotizing.
How had I not noticed that before?
I glanced at my beer.
I wasn’t drunk, so that’s not where the thoughts could be coming from.
Ben took a bite of his lasagna, looking quite satisfied with himself.
I was at a loss for words, really.
He just quoted one of my favorite lines from the movieBringing Up Baby, except the part where he inserted my name.
That freaked me out a little.
Or a lot.
We had something else in common? Just the thought was making me a little queasy.
Ben pointed to my face. “There you go again, doing that staring thing. Are you shocked that I could come up with a line, or is it just because you now know that I really do love those movies?”
“Both. I love those movies, too.”
Ben shrugged. “Something else we have in common.”
“Don’t remind me.”
He lowered his head, breaking our gaze. “Do you really hate me that much?” He let out a heavy breath through his nose.
Hate was such a strong word.
