9. Chapter 9 #2
The one I was looking at every time we passed the jeweler on the Ponte Vecchio was four times more expensive than this one and way out of my budget.
I tried—and apparently failed—to be discreet every time I looked at it, worried Benson would try to buy it for me because this dude really has a thing for buying me things.
He let me buy a cannoli, but his shiny credit card has bought everything else. At one point he strong-armed me out of the way before I could buy a silk scarf for Dani. I would have died if he spent hundreds of dollars on a bracelet just because I like the star pattern built into the chain.
“I like this one,” I tell him, twisting my wrist to look at the single gold star charm hanging from the chain. “The simplicity of it can be symbolic.”
“Of what?”
“Me, I guess. Remembering that life doesn’t have to have every moment planned. I don’t know.”
Humming, he spins us in a slow circle. “It’s like a shooting star,” he says. “You can’t plan for them, and if you try, you’ll be disappointed. But you also have to slow down if you want to see one. Let yourself be in the moment, without any distractions.”
I’m certainly in the moment right now, my head resting on his shoulder and the buzz of conversations around us blending into the music and the sounds of the city.
To think I was nervous about coming to the party…
I should have known it was stupid to be nervous about anything when it comes to Benson.
He really is the perfect man, and he will live on forever as a dream unless I figure out how to make this thing between us last beyond tonight.
“You really have a way with words,” I murmur, feeling sleepy. I’m way too comfy in this spot, and I’m never going to want to leave.
Benson laughs. “Not around you. You make me forget everything I know.”
I highly doubt that. This man was as good as any tour guide this week, with all his random factoids about buildings and statues and bridges. Sometimes I wonder if he doesn’t get into relationships because there’s no space in his head for frivolous things like love.
Or is love strictly a heart thing?
I used to think I understood love, but with the way things ended with Eric, I’m not sure I ever did. We were compatible, but that’s not the same as love. I’ve experienced something totally different with Benson this week than I’ve ever felt with anyone, and I…
Wait. I tense as my thoughts catch up to me. Love? I can’t fall in love with someone in a few days! But I’ve felt so safe and empowered with Benson that I might be well on my way. How could I not fall for this guy? He has been a dream, the man I didn’t know I needed in my life until he appeared.
I’m not wearing the bracelet Poppy gave me at the airport, but I’ve had it tucked into my purse all week because I keep forgetting it’s there. Maybe it has more power than I’ve ever allowed myself to believe.
Speaking of Poppy, my phone hasn’t stopped buzzing with texts, and I sigh as I think about the mayhem I will be going home to.
“You okay?” Benson asks, pausing our little dance. I don’t know if it’s because I tensed up or because of the sigh, but of course he noticed a change in my demeanor.
If I tell him I might be falling in love with him, I’ll get another heart-to-heart chat by the fountain about boundaries, so I stick to the cousins. “You’ve caused me a lot of trouble, Benson Jay.”
He chuckles and starts swaying again. “Using my middle name against me? I wish I hadn’t told you.”
“You know mine. It was only fair.”
Offering a smile of allowance, he spins me out and back to his arms. “How have I caused you trouble? That’s a pretty serious allegation without any specifics to back it up.”
“You made friends with Dani, who told my cousins about you, and now they won’t leave me alone.”
His gaze drops to my purse, eyes sparkling with interest. “What did she say about me?”
“At this point, I’m afraid to look.”
“What have I told you about fear?” Benson steps away and tugs me to the nearest table, pulling out a chair for me. Once we’re seated, he holds out his hand, silently asking me for my phone.
The thought of Benson having access to my cousins is too intriguing to pass up. I place my phone in his hand and scoot my chair closer, tucking myself against his arm so I can see the screen.
As he scrolls, I see that the girls have been active, throwing out speculations about who Benson is and how I managed to find a man in Italy who can handle my plan-making tendencies.
Jokes on them. Benson silenced that part of me almost instantly.
At one point, Lucy decided Benson is a world-weary and mysterious artist with a tragic past, and I groan when I read Dani’s assessment of him.
Dani:
He’s the second hottest guy in the world! (Mason is obviously the first). Also, he’s capable of having a conversation that isn’t about himself, his advanced degree, his extensive collection of tube socks… In short, he’s the opposite of The Great Letdown, and I like him!
“Seriously, what have you two been talking about?” I wish he had kept my phone instead of using his to talk to Dani so I could go back and figure out what they’ve been saying without needing to interrogate my sister when I get home.
Benson’s grin turns mischievous. “I need to have some secrets, Ave.”
Oh, that nickname is a bad idea. Or maybe a great one. Nicknames are a step we haven’t taken this week, which makes this moment feel all the more intimate. I try to keep my focus on the text and not the way my name on Benson’s lips sounds like how chocolate gelato tastes.
“You have kept plenty of secrets from me,” I say, “and you know it. Obviously you’ve been talking about my ex.”
“He sounds like a tool.”
“Dani has probably made him sound worse than he is.”
“He let you go, so he’s a tool regardless.”
Heat flooding my face, I press my cheek against his shoulder and watch as he starts typing.
Avery:
Hey ladies, this is Benson. No, I’m not an artist, and having a conversation is like breathing for me, so that’s hardly a talent.
Dani’s only saying good things about me because I promised to buy a special edition of her next book.
I wanted to let you all know that I’ve been taking very good care of your cousin and will be sure to return Avery better than how I found her.
I gasp and try to stop him from hitting send, but I’m too late. “Oh my gosh, they’re going to think… I don’t even know what they’re going to think!”
“Am I wrong?” Benson raises an eyebrow as he shifts in his seat to get a better look at me, his arm stretching out across the back of my chair. “There’s no question that you were great to begin with, Avery Grace, but you are not the same woman I met on the plane.”
No, I’m not. That Avery wouldn’t have bought a bracelet simply because she liked it, and she would have spent all day at the Galleria to get the most out of her ticket, even if she was bored the whole time.
That Avery wouldn’t be looking at Benson and wondering if it would be worth kissing him, no matter the heartbreak that will come with it.
Texts come in from my cousins immediately, making Benson chuckle as he starts up a conversation.
Poppy:
Mr. Sexy-Benson or a different one?
Avery:
The very same.
Poppy:
I think I need a picture to be sure you’re not phishing…
Sadie:
Uhh…taking care of her how?? That can mean so many things. And I agree photo evidence is required.
Avery:
And ruin my mysteriously handsome stranger status? Not biting. Dani can vouch for me.
Sadie:
Dani, is this true?
Lucy:
You realize you can’t claim “handsome” without proof, right? As of now you’re just a mysterious stranger. According to a lot of books and podcasts, those are also called “kidnappers.” I’m expecting a photo of Avery with today’s newspaper at any moment.
Sadie:
Also the fact that you won’t give us any photographic evidence is concerning…
Lucy:
I for one would like to state that my bank account has a number smaller than my age, so meeting a ransom is going to be tough. I’ll dip into my savings if I must, but don’t expect much!
Benson laughs out loud as soon as he reads Lucy’s last text, shaking his head.
Unfortunately for Lucy, she’s probably not lying about her bank account.
Her mother’s destination wedding plus frequent flights to Canada are likely hurting her financial situation.
“There are so many ways I could take this,” he mutters, thumb hovering over the keyboard.
I’m feeling more adventurous than usual, so I say, “What if you sent a picture of a small part of you? I can be in it so they at least know I’m alive.”
Eyes dancing, he opens the camera and flips it to selfie mode, lining it up so only one of his ears is in the shot with me. I’m about to bust up laughing, so I cover my mouth with my hand right as he hits the shutter button.
“Perfect,” he says and starts typing.
Avery:
Wow, tough crowd. Reluctant to scrounge up a couple bucks to save your cousin from her incredibly handsome captor? For the record, I have plenty of my own money. *winky face* But if you insist…
He sends the photo, and the responses come quickly.
Poppy:
Not what I had in mind…
Lucy:
There he goes throwing that “handsome” word around again. *raised eyebrow emoji*
Poppy:
Avery, if you’re in trouble, text our safe word.
Lucy:
Avery definitely looks more kidnapped than charmed by her mysterious stranger there…
“Do we have a safe word?” I ask with a laugh. “If we do, I don’t know what it is. Maybe you should send an actual picture before they start looking up how to call the Italian police.”
Benson takes a quick selfie of his forehead and sends that along with a text.
Avery:
What are you talking about? That’s my sexy ear. But if you need more…
Poppy:
Is that a six finger hairline? Are you “balding”?
“Ouch.” He touches his hairline, which is not receding in any way, and I’m so tempted to run my fingers through his hair and assure him of as much. My hand is halfway to him when Dani finally jumps into the chat.
Dani:
Ah, yes. The forehead. Many a relationship has started with the thought, “Man, that’s a sexy forehead!”
Poppy:
You’re not helping your case, mister.
Lucy:
I’m very much not okay with our cousin chat getting commandeered by a weirdo. Get outta here, Benson! And be nice to Avery!
Chloe:
Ugh… How come all the good stuff always happens when I walk away from my phone??!!
Dani:
For the record, Benson really is buying the most expensive copy of my book, so I’m a fan!
Unless he hurts Avery. Then he’d better be prepared for a world of hurt.
Benson turns to me and smiles warmly. “Your sister is pretty great. The cousins too.”
“Yeah,” I agree. “And you don’t have to keep talking to them. They’re a lot.” I try to grab my phone, but Benson holds it out of my reach and starts typing one-handed. Oh, to have giant man hands.
Avery:
Okay, fine. You’ve all convinced me. Or maybe Avery is ready to strangle me and steal her phone back. So for your peace of mind, I am willing to comply.
He looks at me with those dancing eyes and gestures with his head for me to come closer.
I do, and he recreates the photo we sent to Dani on our first day in Florence, his lips pressed to my cheek.
Only, this time it feels so much different.
This isn’t a stranger invading my bubble and catching me off guard.
This is a man I’ve spent hours upon hours with over the last several days, to the point where I have no idea how I’m going to say goodbye to him when I have to go home tomorrow.
Once that picture is sent, he locks my phone and slips it into his pocket. “You need cake,” he says and waves down a waiter.
What I need is to stop imagining a world where we can keep having nights like this forever.