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“You can relax and enjoy this, you know,” Sarah says, coming up to me and putting her hand on top of mine. I take a big breath and sigh.
“It has been a long time since I've been on a date, and to be honest, I really never thought I would go on a date with a man from the city again.” Even though it is purely a business arrangement, I am still unsure if I am doing the right thing.
“I know, and I also know that all men in suits are the devil in your eyes, but just go and enjoy yourself. Get to know each other and have a little fun.” She slips two condoms into my bag, and I bark out a laugh.
“He is our enemy, Sarah. I am only doing this for the school. I’m sure I will be home by midnight, so don’t worry about that,” I say in reply, my cheeks heating at the suggestion.
“Well, you know Allie and I are staying here overnight so… you know… if you don’t make it home until breakfast tomorrow, we don’t mind,” she adds with a wink, and although I have no intentions of anything other than dinner, I appreciate her advice.
Before I can say anything further, there is a knock at my door. “That must be the driver. I will see you guys later,” I say to both Allie and Sarah, then tiptoe into the bedroom to place a kiss on Rosie’s head as she sleeps, closing the door behind me. I walk to the front door and open it, only to be greeted by a large white-shirted chest that takes up the entire doorframe.
“Oh! Hi?” I say, stepping back, a little startled, not expecting Ben to be at my door.
“Expecting someone else?” he quizzes me, and I don’t miss the appreciative gaze as it sweeps over my body, heating me from the inside out.
“No, just your driver.” Sounding unaffected around him is only becoming more difficult, I’m noticing.
“Here, these are for you,” he says, thrusting a packet of Milk Duds at me.
“Ahh… thanks?” I say it as a question, my brow furrowed.
“I saw you eyeing them in my office the other day, and I thought you might like them.” He shrugs like it is no big deal. But to me, it warms my chest that he noticed.
“Hi, I'm Sarah,” Sarah says, coming up to introduce herself, and he shakes her hand.
“Hi, Benjamin Rothschild.” Could he be any more formal?
“Hi, I’m Allie!” Allie yells from the kitchen, where she is not so subtly drooling over my date. Ben waves and gives her his trademark sexy smile. I think I see her physically swoon in response.
“Okay, well, now that we have all met, it’s time for us to go.” Putting the candy on my bench, I walk to the door, wanting to get this over with as I gesture for us to leave.
“Don’t rush home. We have everything covered. Enjoy yourself!” Sarah makes sure to say as she pushes us out the door, encouraging us to leave.
“Thanks, girls, I owe you,” I say, walking out and closing the door behind me.
“They seem like good friends. Your roommates?” Ben asks, taking my hand unexpectedly and walking me out to the car. It should feel odd, but it doesn’t. My hand sinks into his like it is exactly where it is meant to be.
“Just friends. We are all teachers at the school,” I offer as we walk down the stairs. I don’t mention Rosie. He doesn’t know she is my daughter, and he doesn’t need to know. This is a business arrangement, no personal details required. And I plan on keeping it that way.
“You look nice—different from last time I saw you out of work hours.” I think back to when we first met at the bar and cringe a little at the memory of my attire.
“Thank you… I think?” My eyes crease in mock confusion, and he gives me his grin. My heart makes a movement it hasn’t in a long time when he looks at me like that.
“You look good in anything, Doubtfire,” he says quietly as we reach the car, and he opens the back door of the black Bentley I notice he drives to the school. Sliding into the seat, his driver gives me a small smile, and I take a deep breath. This is already pushing me well outside my comfort zone. An expensive car and a driver do not belong in the life I live. I swallow quickly and take a few more deep breaths as Ben circles around the trunk and enters the other side.
“So, where are we off to?” I ask as he gets settled next to me, just as I feel my stomach rumble.
“To feed you, by the sounds of it,” he says, laughing once again and grabbing my hand.
“I haven’t eaten all day! The kids were crazy today,” I say, my hand slipping into his all too easily.
“Crazier than usual?” he quips, raising an eyebrow.
“Every day I learn something new. Like today, Gavin, the oldest boy in my class, told me he wants to be a gamer. So we spent time looking online at the gaming industry. Did you know those professional gamers earn well over fifty thousand dollars a year!” I say, my eyes wide, still in shock that you can actually get paid for sitting around and playing video games.
“Some even more than that, I believe. How old is he?” Ben asks, seemingly genuinely interested in my day and my kids, so I prattle on about them for the entire car ride. I need him to see them as people, to understand each and every one of them.
“So Michael has no hearing; Rosie has no sight, and Gavin has lost some mobility of his leg?” Ben looks at me in disbelief as the car stops in the city.
