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He quirks a doubtful eye. “Small world.”
“Crazy small.”
There’s a soft knock at the door before I see it being pushed open. Daddy must not have closed it all the way because Ben is suddenly standing in the entrance to my apartment. He sees me, then Daddy, looks hesitant.
I gesture at him, feeling a smile already tugging at my mouth. “Come on in.”
My god he looks good. But I have yet to see him not looking like a dream.
“This is my dad. Daddy, this is my friend Ben.”
“Stig Nilssen.” Daddy extends a hand and they shake.
“Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you as well.” For one brief second I fear that my dad will say something about King. I say a silent prayer that he won’t. He generally has enough common sense to avoid those kinds of awkward topics when first meeting someone. But if they end up in the same room together down the road I’ve no doubt my father will find some way to gracefully and respectfully bring it up. “My lovely daughter here was just informing me that you two have plans so I’ll get out of your hair. My darling, I’ll see you in the morning.”
“See you then.” Daddy leans in and kisses me on the cheek and Ben watches us like a hawk. My cheeks warm, recalling the ‘daddy’s girl’ comment at breakfast last week.
Once he’s gone I exhale a little relief. Ben tosses a look over his shoulder after the door clicks shut.
“Your last name is Nilssen?”
“Yeah, why?”
He rumbles out a low laugh and rubs his forehead. “Nilssen Designs?Thatluxury clothing line?”
I flash a bright smile. “That’s us. Are you a fan?”
Another laugh and a shake of the head. “No, but my sister is. She loves your sundresses. And I only know that because she spent an hour trying to pick her favorite one to wear to Mason and Ethan’s memorial site last year. We go every year on their birthdays.”
I offer an awkward smile. “We do have some awesome dresses. It’s very sweet that she wanted to wear something from our collection for your sons.”
Ben nods. “Anyway, hi.” He walks to me and I suck in a rush of air right before he kisses me. It’s softer than before, sweeter, but still sends bolts of white-hot lightning to my core.
“Hi,” I whisper when he breaks the kiss.
His eyes seem to sparkle. Maybe it’s my reflection sparkling in his eyes. “Ready to get some grub?”
“I’m ready.”
I slip my purse off the counter and we head out. Ben tells me I look nice and I say the same to him. When we get to his car he opens the door for me, proving he’s not a total knuckle-dragging caveman. I decide to take mental notes of all these gentlemanly acts so I can brag to Rigger when he undoubtedly grills me about how Ben acted on this date. Which, come to think of it, he doesn’t even know about yet. But only because he’s been quiet for the last few days. We normally check in with one another at least once a day but I haven’t heard from him since he left my place Saturday evening. I’m not too concerned because every now and then he goes silent like this.
“I got us a table at Sel. Hope that works for you.”
“Ohhh, they’re good. You ever eaten there?”
He chuckles. “No. Not surprised you have though. Now that I know you’ve got billionaire blood running through your veins.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
“It’s not bad.” He looks my way. “They have tofu.”
“I know. And there’s a lot more than billionaire blood running through my veins, there’s a lot more to me than that.”
He stops at a red light and twists in the seat to face me, his face falling slightly. “I’m aware. I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just, you know, I was hoping to take you somewhere you’ve never been.”
God, if he only knew that he already has. In so many ways. “Don’t worry about that. I’ve only been with my father on his birthday. Well, and one other time with my best friend Rigger and his ex-girlfriend to celebrate her new job but I only had a small appetizer.”
