Begin Again (Benedict Cumberbatch Romance)

Chapter 1

**Scarlett's POV**

He, of course held the door open for me as we walked in and we walked up to the front counter. I looked over at Benedict and he nodded at me. I told the barista my order and pulled out my wallet. I was about to give the barista my money, when Benedict interrupted me.

"No need for that, love." My eyebrows scrunched together as I looked at him in confusion. He seemed to notice my confusion and added, "I asked you to coffee, I should pay for you. It is the gentleman thing to do and it would be my pleasure to pay for your coffee."

I snorted, "Yeah, but I don't want you to waste your money on me!" He shook his head, as he put his order in and handed the barista his money instead of mine. I didn't want him to pay for me! I could pay for myself, thank you very much!

We walked to a table together and sat down. I stared at his face with resentment, but I could never stay mad at him for too long.

I sighed angrily, giving up. "Fine," I mumbled. He smiled again at me and I couldn't help but smile back. His smile was just too contagious for me.

"So what do you do for a living?" He asked. I looked at his face and he seemed truly curious.

"I'm a teacher. I work the week days and then in my free time I draw or I watch movies with my best friend." I answered, taking a few sips from my coffee. He nodded.

"I'm an actor, not to boast or anything, but I'm pretty good at it too," he added with a wink. That made me giggle. I never thought this would actually happen to a girl like me. "I see you're American. When did you move here?" It was true I was American. Born and raised!

"'Couple years back. I really love it here. It's so much nicer than where I used to live in California. Even though the beaches there were so beautiful, I love it here more. They have beaches here that I go to sometimes, so yeah..." I rambled on. I felt embarrassed I was just rambling in front of my favorite actor. I'm such an idiot.

He smiled at me again, oh his smile, "That's good. California is a great state as well. Its beaches are just divine." His voice had so much velvet I could barely control myself. His smile was so perfect and oh my god. I'm being a sap.

The rest of the date had been just talking about each other and telling jokes and secrets. I already knew most of what he was saying, but I learned some things I had no idea about him! I felt like I could just open up to him and tell him all my secrets. Except a few, those were mine to keep and only Juliet to know.

I hadn't realized how long we've been there until the sun had started to set. Wow, we were talking awhile. I guess we're both chatty Cathys here!

"I know this is weird, but can I have your number? I would love to spend more time with you again," he had said once I was out near my car. A Jeep to be exact. Shit. Don't act stupid, don't act stupid, don't act stupid.

"Sure!" He handed me his phone and I typed in my phone number and he typed in his in my phone. Oh my god. I had just gotten Benedict Cumberbatch's phone number! I would never ever leak it out. That would just be stupid.

"Well today was really nice. I hope we can do something like this again," he said soothingly. I could hear the little bit of flirtation in his voice. Oh Benedict. Cheeky, cheeky Ben.

"Yeah! Well, I'll text you. Bye!" And with that he had left to go to his car and I skipped back over to mine. I couldn't wait to tell Juliet what happened!

I got in my Jeep and drove back to my house that I shared with my best friend. I was giddy all through the ride.

As soon as I got back to my house, I raced up the steps and tried to walk in very casually.