“That’s so cool. I’ve always envied people with long friendships. Most of mine have gone by the wayside. It says a lot about a person who can maintain friendships,” Katherine smiled. It was a genuine and sincere compliment; one Ben had never heard before.
“Will is like family. He’s the brother I never wanted, but I’m glad he stuck around,” Ben teased.
“And he throws charity events throughout the year?” she asked, eagerly leaning across the table as she hung onto his every word.
“Oh, Will must throw three or four events every month. He’s very busy, always involved with everything that goes on in the city. I don’t get out much, so it's good to have an inside plug for the nights I do feel like stepping away from the office,” Ben revealed, shocking himself with his openness.
“A workaholic, huh?” she asked, feigning disappointment.
“Some would say,” Ben smiled, sipping his wine.
“Hmm—like who?” Katherine asked, before sipping from her glass.
“What do you mean?” Ben asked, a little confused.
“Who would say you’re a workaholic?” she clarified.
“Well, Rachel for one,” he answered quickly. “She’s my assistant, but also my closest friend.”
“Really? You have two friends from college?” Katherine asked, even more excited.
“I’ve known Rachel even longer than Will. We actually went to grade school together,” Ben laughed, certain it would blow her mind.
Women were always intrigued by his ability to maintain a friendship with another woman for so long. For as long as Ben could remember, it was always he and Rachel. The two were friends for so long, he couldn’t think of a time before her. She had been through every obstacle and accomplishment of his life, and he valued her input on every aspect.
“That is amazing! I must say, I’m impressed,” Katherine smiled, glancing across the table with the type of longing that made Ben want to reach across the table to stroke her blushing cheek.
“Having older friends keeps me grounded, but it also makes for pretty good soap opera writing,” Ben smiled.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I noticed they liked each other a few years back. I’ve kind of been waiting for the perfect time to set them up ever since. When Will called me about the charity event, I told him to ask Rachel and he did. Now, I guess it’s their first time out together,” Ben shared, laughing as he recalled his boldness.
“You’re playing match maker, huh?” she teased him.
“I guess so. I just hope they don’t hate each other,” Ben shrugged.
“No, they’ll hit it off. You would have been able to tell if they wouldn’t blend well,” she suggested, trying to comfort him.
“You would think that way, but sometimes we can’t see the obvious,” Ben admitted.
“Very true. I always say I can give advice better than I can take it,” Katherine giggled.
“They’re both really special to me, so I’m hoping it works out for them. Rachel is one of the main reasons I’m sitting here now,” Ben told her.
“Really? How so?”
“She said I was focusing on work too much. When I couldn’t get you out of my head, she told me to reach out to you,” he watched her reaction closely.
Katherine’s eyes went soft as she listened, her cheeks blushing further.
She had no idea how much of an impact she’d had on Ben. He had talked about her for hours before deciding to finally make a move. Never had he been so caught off guard by a woman, or so determined to get her attention.
“You couldn’t get me out your head?”
Ben laughed, caught in his honesty. “I had to have you.”
It was only a short sentence, but he could see Katherine’s response. Her knees squeezed together as her tongue darted out to wet her lips. She was affected, squirming beneath his vision. Ben was instantly aroused, wanting to feel her fidget in his lap the way she did in her seat.