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Tuesday, May 23rd, 2017. 6:45 PM. • • •
The silence among us was deafening for just a moment before I reached out thanking him. My fingers grasped the end of the fabric, keeping our skin from touching, almost as if touching his skin would be a step too far in front of Ben. I shifted in my heels and tucked my sweater into my handbag when Ben's hand shot forward, extending it in a greeting.
Clark never missed a beat and kept his blue eyes steady and his handshake firm. I watched his lips pull into a sincere smile before his eyes were suddenly on me again.
"Ben Little." His voice was a bit deeper than it usually was and I noticed he had squared his shoulders and his fingers tightened around Clark's hand. Ben was a few inches taller than Clark, but at this moment, to me, he seemed smaller.
"Clark Kent."
"It's a good thing I caught up to you. Someone would have walked away with your favorite sweater," he smiled at me.
I nodded, "Thank you. I must've dropped it."
"You both seemed to be on your way out. I won't keep you. It was great seeing you, Annie." Clark's eyes shifted back to Ben, giving a curt nod before his eyes settled on me.
The emotion behind it was neutral. No hurt, resentment, or anger, not even love, just neutrality. And that scared me. I composed myself and opened my mouth to speak, realizing they were waiting.
"Same to you, Clark. I'll see you in the office tomorrow?" Ben's hand had already found mine, and he was steering me to the all-familiar revolving doors as a fresh wave of tired employees pooled into the lobby.
Clark's voice is behind us as he follows, "Bright and early."
I don't know what in his voice made me look over my shoulder, but my knees almost buckled, and for a split second I could see all the love he had for me in his bright eyes, and then it was gone and I was pulled through the door losing him in the crowd.
• • •
Ben had wanted me to stay out in the hall while he ran inside quickly. I was to keep my eyes shut and not open them until he told me to. My nerves were alight with excitement as I waited. I strained to hear any noise or bang that would give his intentions away, but I couldn't hear anything and soon enough he was in front of me, and then behind me his breath on my neck as he placed his hand over my eyes from behind.
We stumbled into the apartment, and I was greeted with an amazing smell. The very specific aroma of asparagus, and the earthiness of garlic mashed potatoes, and my mouth watered instantly. I hoped there was wine too.
