Chapter 3 #2
"Yes. The guy who actually got the note was this really sweet kid who thought I was asking him out. He showed up at my house with flowers."
"What did you do?"
"I panicked and told him I'd written it as a joke. Which was awful, and I still feel terrible about it."
"That's pretty bad."
"I know."
The waiter returns with the wine, and Bennett tastes it, then nods. The waiter pours us each a glass and disappears again.
Bennett raises his glass. "To embarrassing moments."
I clink my glass against his. "To embarrassing moments."
The wine is good, smooth and rich, and I take a sip, feeling the warmth spread through me.
"Better?" Bennett asks.
"Yeah. Better."
"Good. Now, what do you actually want to eat? Forget the menu. Just tell me what sounds good."
"Honestly? Pasta. Something with a lot of cheese."
He grins. "Done."
When the waiter comes back, Bennett orders for both of us, pasta for me, steak for him, and I relax a little more.
We talk while we wait for the food. He tells me about growing up in Silver Lake, about his sister who lives in Seattle and calls him every Sunday. About how his parents met in college and have been together for thirty-five years.
"That's really sweet," I say.
"It is. They're disgustingly in love. It's kind of inspiring, actually."
"Do you want that? The whole forever thing?"
He doesn't hesitate. "Yeah. I do."
Something in his tone makes my chest tighten. "Have you been close? To finding it?"
"No. I've dated, but it never felt right. I always thought I was too busy for a relationship. That I'd figure it out later." He pauses, his eyes meeting mine. "And then I met you."
The words slip from my lips. "Bennett."
"I'm not trying to scare you. I just... I don't want to pretend this is casual. Not when it doesn't feel that way."
I don't know what to say. My heart is pounding, and I'm torn between wanting to run and wanting to lean into this, into him.
The food arrives, saving me from having to respond. The pasta is amazing, rich and creamy and exactly what I needed. Bennett watches me take the first bite, and when I close my eyes and sigh, he laughs.
"Good?"
"So good."
We eat and talk, and by the time dessert arrives, a chocolate lava cake we share, I've forgotten about the fancy restaurant and the people around us. It's just Bennett and me, and it feels easy. Natural.
When the check comes, Bennett doesn't even glance at it. He just hands the waiter his card, and I try not to think about how much this meal probably cost.
"Thank you," I say as we walk back to the car. "For dinner. And for... making me feel comfortable."
"You don't have to thank me. I just want you to be yourself."
"Even if myself is awkward and out of place?"
"Especially then."
We drive back to my apartment, and when he parks outside, neither of us moves to get out.
"I had a really good time tonight," I say.
"Me too."
"Even though I almost had a panic attack over the menu?"
He laughs. "Even then."
We sit there in the quiet, the only sound the hum of the engine. Then Bennett turns to look at me, and the air between us shifts.
"Hannah," he says, his voice low.
"Yeah?"
"Can I kiss you again?"
My pulse quickens. "Yes."
He leans across the console, his hand cupping my jaw, and when his lips meet mine, it's soft at first. Gentle. Testing.
But then I make this small sound in the back of my throat, and something changes.
He deepens the kiss, his tongue sliding against mine, and I forget how to think. My hands come up to grip his shoulders, and he pulls me closer, his other hand settling at my waist.
The kiss turns heated fast. His fingers tangle in my hair, and I press closer, needing more. His hand slides under the hem of my dress, his palm warm against my thigh, and I gasp against his mouth.
"Hannah," he murmurs, his voice rough.
"Don't stop."
He groans, his hand moving higher, and I arch into him, my fingers digging into his shoulders. The console is in the way, and it's awkward, but I don't care. All I care about is the way he's touching me, the way his mouth is on mine, the way my entire body is on fire.
When he presses me back against the seat, his body covering mine as much as the space allows, I lose all sense of reason. His hand slides higher, his thumb brushing the edge of my panties, and I moan.
"God, Hannah," he breathes against my lips. "You're killing me."
"Good."
He kisses me again, harder this time, and I'm drowning in him. In the way he tastes, the way he feels, the way he makes me forget everything except this moment.
When we finally break apart, we're both breathing hard. His forehead rests against mine, and I can feel his heart pounding against my chest.
"I should go inside," I whisper.
"Yeah. You should."
But neither of us moves.
"Hannah."
"Yeah?"
"I'm falling for you. Fast."
My breath catches. "Bennett.”
"You don't have to say anything. I just needed you to know."
I stare at him, my heart racing, and I realize with startling clarity that I'm falling too.
Faster than I ever intended.
Faster than I know how to handle.
"Goodnight, Bennett," I say finally, my voice shaky.
"Goodnight, Hannah."
I get out of the car on unsteady legs and walk to my door. When I glance back, he's still sitting there, watching me.
I unlock the door and step inside, leaning against it as soon as it closes behind me.
My lips are swollen, my body is still humming, and I can't stop smiling.
I'm in so much trouble.