Our Love

Quinn

Ben picked me up right on time. He was dressed casually in a button-down shirt and khakis. While he wasn't a bad-looking man, he wasn't exactly my type either. He had a flat top cut on his reddish hair, and his build was muscular but squared off. His eyes were a dull blue and lacked a softness that I'd found in another set of eyes. I couldn't think about those right now, though.

"Ready?" Ben smiled from the doorway.

"Yes, let's do this." I plastered a smile on, determined to have a good evening. I said goodbye to Carrie, and off we went. The drive was quiet for the most part, painfully so. I finally decided I couldn't take it and had to break the silence.

"How's work?" I asked awkwardly.

"Ah, it's work. Some days are crazy and busy, and others, it's pretty boring." He shrugged. "I'm sorry, I was a little nervous to mention it in front of Carrie, but you look amazing tonight, Quinn." Ben glanced in my direction.

"Oh, thank you. Carrie can be intimidating, huh?" I chuckled.

"Definitely." He replied as we pulled into the restaurant parking lot. It was a lovely little place and must have been popular as the parking lot was full. Once his car was parked and the engine off, he climbed out and rushed around to open the door for me. I quietly thanked him and followed along into the restaurant. The hostess was polite and led us through to our table. As I followed, I happened to catch a glimpse of Wade out of the corner of my eye. I had to fight the urge to turn and look, as I was pretty sure he was sitting with Denise. I felt a tug at my heartstrings as I sat across from Ben.

"We'll have water with lemon, please." Ben nodded at the server when he approached. I was a little irritated at him ordering for me. While the water was fine, it was the idea that he just assumed that was what I wanted. Perhaps he was just that cheap; I had a feeling that was most likely it. I did my best to hide my annoyance.

"I've heard that the shrimp cocktail is good; we should share that before having the chicken and vegetables." He spoke with a smile. I agreed simply for the sake of making the evening go smoothly. I sat with my hands folded on the table, my leg bouncing with anxiety, fighting the urge to turn and look at Wade. "How has work been for you? Did you enjoy your trip?" Ben asked, reaching across the table to place his hand over mine. I flinched and jerked my hand back quickly, then tried to brush it off so as not to hurt his feelings.

"Work has been fine, busy, and then, of course, I still take a few shifts at the diner when I can." I tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. "The trip was good, Grant secured the contract they needed, and it was nice to get out of town for a minute." I smiled.

"Grant has always been a smooth talker. No doubt he could close any deal." Ben spoke with a laugh. I smiled with a laugh; Grant was indeed a smooth talker and was definitely in his element when negotiating aspects of contracts. I had to admit watching him work during those meetings was sexy as hell.

We continued talking about random things, nothing too deep. Ben told me about his life and his family, as well as how he came to be a police officer. I kept my side of the conversation pretty basic. I knew that Ben knew some of the issues surrounding Rex, but anything more than that, I wasn't prepared to share.

We made it through the meal, with the awkwardness hanging over us as he shoveled the food in. Table manners were definitely not something taught in his home. It was revolting, but I pushed on despite the gut instinct to run out of the restaurant. It didn't help I had to focus all of my attention on him so that I wouldn't steal glances at Wade with his date.

Once Ben was finished with his meal, he waved the waiter over to request the check and a doggy bag for my food. I just gave a tight smile, wondering how many dates Ben had ever been on. My romantic past was the worst of the worst, but even I realized what a pig he was being. As we rose to leave, I glanced over and saw that Wade and Denise were both smiling, looking quite comfortable with one another. I swallowed the lump in my throat and followed Ben out.

"Thank you for dinner." I broke the silence.

"It was a lovely time. Thank you for joining me. What do you say we stop by the Route for a nightcap? Or you can come back to my place?" He asked with way too much confidence.

We reached his car, standing near the passenger door. He opened the back, sitting the doggy bag in the seat before standing back to smile at me. His smile caused my stomach to churn. He boxed me in as he leaned forward, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear.

"You're so hot." His breath was warm on my face.

"Umm, thanks." I giggled nervously.

He leaned even closer, his lips closer to my cheek than I would have preferred.

"Come back to my place."

"No. No, thanks. Not tonight." I stuttered out, trying to remain polite.

Ben sniffed down my neck and up again before flicking his tongue over my ear lobe. I pulled my hands up, pushing on his chest to move him off of me.

"I said No," I spoke forcefully, hands on his chest.

"Hey! What the fuck are you doing?" I heard Wade bark as he jogged over toward us. Ben immediately pulled back, glaring daggers at him.

"Nice to see you, Wade, but we're busy here," Ben replied hatefully.

"She doesn't look too happy to be in your company." He looked from me to Ben and back again.

"We were having a private moment, about to leave." Ben snapped, pulling at my wrist and tugging me toward the passenger door.

"Quinn?" Wade spoke softly. "Are you okay? Do you want to go with him?" He stepped forward, asking. I tried to hide the fear that I felt; I had to be a big girl. I was tired of letting him rescue me.

"I...I um...Ben is going to take me home; I'll be fine." I managed to get out.

"I told you." Ben stomped over to Wade. I could barely make out what he said, but a chill went down my spine when his words hit. "Sorry, you missed your chance, Wade. I'm taking her home; we had a wonderful date and now a nightcap. Have a good night."

"Sorry about that, babe. Wade is a spoiled rich kid, always wanting what he can't have." He grunted out as he climbed into the car. I watched as Wade glared at me before turning and walking to his truck. My heart hurt. I was so caught up in the drama that I overlooked that Ben wasn't heading back toward my place, where I was living with Carrie.

"I'm sorry, Ben. I'd really like just to head back home." I spoke up. "Dinner was lovely, though." I looked up, watching his face for a reaction.

"Oh, yeah. Of course. I'm sorry. I was just... I just got a vibe."

"A vibe?" I couldn't help but question.

"Yeah. I kind of got a vibe you were into me; maybe we could have a nightcap. That's fine, I'm sorry. I'd like to do this again, though." He reached over, his hand resting on my knee before giving it a squeeze. I had to resist the urge to vomit.

"I apologize if I gave you mixed signals. I had a nice dinner; you're a..nice..guy. I'm not sure I see a future here, though." I did my best, to be honest, to set up a firm boundary.

Ben was silent the remainder of the drive, and when we pulled into Carrie's driveway, he just sat. I felt terrible and awkward at the same time.

"Thank you..." I began.

"Good night, Quinn." He spat, nearly backing out of the drive before I was fully out of the car.

I shook away the tears that threatened to spill out. This was a disaster. I just wasn't meant to be with someone. All the signs, my entire adult life, I was just ignoring them. Time to be content just to be me, to be alone.