Just Me

by Lexy Timms

  “I’m sorry. That was silly, I shouldn’t have asked you that, Of course you have better things to do. Thanks again for the workout,” Katherine spoke quickly, diverting her eyes to the floor as she tried to turn and walk into the locker room.

  There was no way Ben was letting her get away so easily, so he reached for her hand, feeling the electric spark between them as she turned to face him. The way her eyes lit up let him know that she felt it too.

  “You can’t offer a man breakfast and then snatch it away. I’m starving, Katherine. Let’s definitely go to breakfast,” Ben kindly commanded, happy to see the smile cover her face.

  “Okay, but I’ve never been, so I can’t be sure it’s any good,” she warned him.

  “If it’s good, we’ll say it was your idea. If it’s nasty, we’ll blame Talia,” Ben suggested and they both laughed.

  “It’s a deal! I’ll get cleaned up and meet you out front, okay?” Katherine said, sliding her hand from Ben’s grasp.

  “Perfect,” Ben smiled, watching her walk away before retreating into the men’s locker room.

  Feeling like a teenager heading to prom, he had to take a moment to gather himself before he could begin to get ready. After all that had happened, he was finally going to get to take Katherine out. Sure, it wasn’t exactly how he had imagined it, but it was happening nonetheless.

  Rachel would be proud of him for how he handled himself, and even more importantly, how he had made himself open to new possibilities. Before their conversation, he would have never considered doing half the things he had done with Katherine—including sending her flowers as an apology, or working out with her for an hour.

  But the way he felt, he wondered why he hadn’t been more open in the past. Maybe Rachel was onto something with the personal life talk. Jumping into the shower, he was eager to spend more time with Katherine and learn more about her. She was even more interesting than he had imagined.

  When he finished dressing, he looked himself over in the mirror. He was dressed casually in a jogging suit, unlike anything he would ever normally wear on a date. But there was nothing normal about how he had met Katherine, so he figured it was perfect.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Katherine

  WITH HER NERVES GOING wild, Katherine rushed to rinse the shampoo from her hair, not wanting to keep Ben waiting. She’d had so much fun boxing with him and getting to know each other. He was easy to talk to, and she found it hard to say goodbye when it was finally time to go their separate ways

  After rejecting him so many times, it was only right that she was the one to initiate their breakfast, but man did it feel weird. For someone who was typically shy and soft spoken, Katherine felt far out of her comfort zone inviting Ben to breakfast.

  Thankfully, he didn’t allow her to back out when she got cold feet. It was just so foreign to her to be facing rejection, although Ben happily accepted her invitation.

  Soon enough, she was dressed, and after a few minutes in front of the mirror, she decided she was ready to go on what she refused to think of as a date, not wanting to get ahead of herself. Katherine couldn’t plan her life weeks in advance because Tim could show up any time. So there was no way she could consider anything would blossom with Ben.

  Still, she was excited as she walked down the long tunnel at the gym, happy to see him waiting at the end. Even more handsome after he’d showered, Ben was smiling, his hair wet and shiny.

  “You look nice,” he greeted her.

  “Oh stop,” she waived him off.

  Having only prepared to shower and walk home, Katherine had only packed a black sweat suit to change into. While it wasn’t the most fashionable outfit, she still felt incredibly beautiful whenever Ben looked at her.

  “You’re forgetting I just saw you covered in sweat,” he teased.

  “Well, when you put it that way, this is a serious upgrade,” Katherine admitted, and they laughed before leaving the gym.

  The sun was just beginning to shine, lighting up the hilled streets of the city, but the wind made it quite breezy.

  “I can’t believe it’s already fall,” Ben acknowledged.

  “I know. I’m not used to this changing weather, either. I’m going to need winter clothes,” Katherine shook her head.

  To most people, it was just a bit chilly outside, but to a native of Los Angeles, it was freezing. One of the great benefits of the ‘City of Angels’ was the consistently warm weather.

  “Where are you from?” Ben asked.

  “L.A.,” Katherine answered, with a hint of pride that could only be topped by a New Yorker.

  “Oh, so you're used to year-round summer. Where's the fun in that?” Ben teased.

  “You're joking, right?”

  “Come on. Surely you're not trying to tell me you don't feel something is wrong with a hot Christmas?” he asked.

  “You sir, have obviously never spent Christmas on the beach,” she reasoned.

  It was a tradition for her family to spend the winter holidays at their Malibu beach house. On Christmas day, her mother would pack a cooler full of goodies, and she would play in the ocean from sun up to sun down. It never occurred to her that many children around the country were building snowmen, and the rest were wishing they were. Meanwhile, she was happily working on a sand castle.

  “Is this the place?” Ben asked, as they arrived at Batter, a trendy restaurant on the corner.

  “Yes! Talia said they make the best pancakes in the city,” Katherine recalled, walking through the door as Ben held it open for her. “Thank you.”

  “My pleasure,” he answered.

  “Hi! Welcome to Batter! Just the two of you today?” A heavy-set waitress with mahogany brown curly hair asked with a smile.

  “Yes,” Ben answered.

  “A booth or table?” she asked.

  “Booth!” Katherine shot out before Ben could object.

  “Right this way,” the waitress replied, then led them to a small booth right at the front window.

  Katherine climbed in eagerly. It had been a long time since she was able to sit in a booth. Tim had always refused to dine at any restaurant with booths, calling them low class. Because she was raised with money, Katherine was never impressed by Tim’s wealth, though he would always claim it was the only reason she married him whenever he was upset with her.

  “This looks good,” Ben said, snapping her back to reality.

  “Let's see what they've got,” Katherine reached for her menu, deciding to push Tim out of her mind.

  What she had been through, and was still going through, was awful. But it would be even worse to allow it to ruin the rest of her life. She wanted to move beyond her past, and the best way to do that was to enjoy the present.

  “I think I'm going to get the blueberry pancakes,” Katherine said, after looking through the menu.

  Batter was all about pancakes, crepes, and waffles, hence the name. They made strange creations like the ham and pineapple waffle, but Katherine wasn't ready to venture to the unknown just yet.

  “I was thinking about banana waffles,” Ben looked over his menu menacingly and the two shared a giggle.

  When the waitress returned, they each placed their orders. Blueberry pancakes, with eggs and bacon for Katherine, and a banana waffle with a white egg omelet for Ben. Katherine opted for English breakfast tea, while Ben decided on coffee. After jotting their choices on her notepad, the waitress left to place their orders and get their drinks.

  “White egg omelet, huh? Are you trying to shame me for my bacon?” Katherine asked with a smile.

  “Well, you were the one throwing the punches, so you earned the bacon. I, on the other hand, need to watch it.” Ben laughed as the waitress returned with two steaming hot mugs.

  “Maybe next time I'll make up some combinations for you, and see how hard you can hit,” Katherine challenged, before blowing on her tea, hoping to cool it down.

  “That would be a sight to see,” Ben laughed, think
ing of Katherine trying to coach him through a session.

  Staring across the table, Katherine thought of his decision for the white egg omelet, claiming it was because he needed to watch his figure. In her opinion, there wasn’t anything Ben needed to change about himself. He was fit, and had served as her motivation during the workout.

  It had been a long time since she looked at men with interest, having to focus on survival instead. Emotional connections were dangerous for someone on the run, so she avoided them at all cost to protect her safety and anonymity.

  Knowing that over time, her ex would work to destroy any happiness she discovered was enough to make Katherine shy away from men in general. It was shocking how easily Ben had infiltrated her private life. Even before today, he was constantly on her mind as she doubted the possibility that anyone could really be so caring and considerate.

  Not many men bought flowers at all in this day and age, so buying flowers for a complete stranger was rarer still. He had gone above and beyond to let her know he was sorry, and to Katherine that was unheard of. Just sitting across from him, she felt special, looking deep into his green eyes.

  “What are you thinking about?” he asked, his face laced with curiosity.

  “What do you mean?” Katherine shot back too quickly, hoping to stall.

  “I can tell you’re thinking of something. What is it?”

  She loved his directness, despite the fact that it put her on the spot. Deciding to follow his lead, Katherine didn’t lie.

  “You’re very kind, and it’s not what I’m used to,” she responded honestly.

  “Ah, yes. Gentleman have become a bit of a collector’s item these days,” Ben said, with a sexy smile that made Katherine’s thighs press together. He was handsome beyond words, but when his eyes landed on hers, it took things up another notch.

  “Is that what you are? A gentleman?” She made the quip intentionally, watching his response closely.

  Without missing a beat, Ben shot back, “I like to think so. Would you say different?”

  “I’ve never known of a gentle-stalker,” Katherine teased, trying to make light of their failed interaction in the market. “So I guess gentleman it is.”

  For a second, Ben looked shocked and possibly embarrassed. Katherine’s stomach turned with fear thinking that she had made him uncomfortable, ruining what was shaping up to be a perfect morning. Then, the smile she had already begun to miss slowly spread across his face and her shoulders dropped with relief watching his eyes light up with excitement.

  “Okay, I can tell you’re not going to let me live that down, and maybe I deserve it,” Ben started, a soft chuckle spacing his words.

  “I’m kidding! I won’t bring it up again,” Katherine rushed the words through giggles, happy she hadn’t offended him.

  “I think I deserve to be ridiculed, and I still can’t believe I said that,” he shook his head remembering that fateful evening.

  Just then, the curly haired waitress returned with a tray carrying two mugs. Careful not to spill a drop, she set the steaming mugs on the table. “Your meals will be right out.”

  “Thank you,” they both said, then giggled because they had spoken in unison. Turning back to face each other, Ben had a smile on his lips, staring into Katherine’s eyes again. It was strange how awkward it felt, but how much she enjoyed it. The uncomfortable connection was growing on her.

  “So, you like mornings?” Ben asked.

  Katherine found herself beaming at his simple question, mentally preparing herself to answer. There was something about him that brought out her jovial side, and she found herself smiling more than she ever had as the two continued to lock eyes.

  “Everything I’ve learned about San Francisco has been Talia’s doing. I stumbled into the perfect neighborhood, and she has introduced me to so many cool places,” she admitted, giving her new friend all the credit she deserved.

  “I’d like to join the welcoming committee, if there’s still room,” his subtle invitation was more than Katherine could handle, and she bit her bottom lip to stop the grin from spreading across her face.

  Thankfully, the waitress bailed her out, arriving with a tray so large she had to use a folding table to set it on. With her hands now free, she carefully placed the plates on the table before checking to see if either Ben or Katherine needing anything else.

  “I think we’re good,” Ben answered for the both of them, glancing to Katherine to make sure she agreed. After receiving her approval he nodded to the waitress. “This looks amazing,” he smiled, kindly dismissing her.

  Left alone, they both enjoyed their food, continuing their banter between bites as Katherine tried to understand the butterflies fluttering in her belly. It had been so long since she’d been interested in a man, it all felt like the first time.

  “That was delicious,” Ben said after finishing his last bit of banana waffle.

  “I can’t have another bite,” Katherine said with a sigh, pushing her plate away.

  “I knew your eyes were too big for your stomach, but I’m impressed with the damage,” Ben smirked, looking to her plate.

  “All done here?” The waitress arrived on cue, clearing the plates to no objections.

  “Can we have the check, please?” Ben asked, catching Katherine off guard.

  “Here you go. Take your time,” she instructed with a smile as she sat the black leather billfold on the table.

  As if choreographed, both Ben and Katherine reached for the bill, their hands sparking another round of electricity. The energy between them was incredible, but Katherine still needed her independence, a little afraid of being swept up in whatever it was that was drawing her to him like a magnet.

  “My treat,” Ben suggested.

  “No, you don’t have to do that,” Katherine responded, already digging into her gym bag for the emergency cash she always carried for times like this.

  “Katherine, I can’t let you buy me breakfast,” Ben argued.

  “Well, I can’t let you buy me breakfast either,” as she stubbornly slid a ten-dollar bill into the leather billfold.

  “So, we’ll split it,” Ben shrugged, reaching into his pocket before placing a twenty-dollar bill on top of Katherine’s contribution.

  “That’s fair,” she relented, comfortable with splitting the total.

  To her surprise, Ben stood from the table as if he was ready to leave. “That’s much more than the bill,” she said as she watched him without moving, unsure of why he would leave a thirty percent tip.

  “She earned it. Let’s go,” he held his hand out to help Katherine up and she accepted the assistance, mostly to feel that rush of energy once more.

  Together, they walked out of Batter, Katherine leading the way as Ben followed closely behind. “So Katherine, would it be okay if I came to visit you sometime?”

  “I think I’d like that.” Katherine listened to herself, shocked that she had all but committed to another interaction with the man who had made her forget all her reservations. Something in her was shifting, and she wasn’t yet sure what it was.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Ben

  SITTING IN HIS OFFICE, Ben felt more powerful than usual, thinking back to his wonderful morning with Katherine. She was the perfect start to his day, and he couldn’t stop praising himself for making the last-minute decision to go to the gym before work.

  Cancelling a meeting to enjoy lunch with her was an easy decision. The two had so much fun together and Ben felt it was the first time he’d laughed so much in years. Work had taken over his life, but it was difficult to acknowledge that until he sat across from Katherine.

  She was what he had been missing—a connection that allowed him to relax and forget all that he was supposed to do in the office. It wasn’t until he watched her walk away that he knew how much he’d missed having that special connection with someone.

  What would usually seem like a full and exciting agenda, now felt more like a dreadful list
s of tasks standing between him and his life outside the office. Just thinking of that concept brought a smile to his face. Was he really becoming the guy who had a reason to rush out of the office after all these years of being the first to show up every morning and last to leave every night?

  It was exciting and a bit scary, because Ben had always preferred the safer bet. When it came to his career, he could estimate what would happen, when it would happen, and the impact it would have on his life. With Katherine, or his personal life in general, it was a toss-up. Nothing was certain or set in stone, and that uncertainty was more alluring than he could have imagined.

  While being in control had its definite advantages, there was something incredibly exhilarating about not knowing what to expect and relinquishing all control. Without any idea of what Katherine truly thought of him, he was certain that he wanted to see her again, and soon.

  “I’m not sure if I want to know who is making you smile that big,” Rachel called from the doorway, disturbing Ben as he stared aimlessly at his computer screen.

  “What makes you think it’s a ‘who’?” He answered, trying and failing to hide his grin.

  “Oh, I know the look in your eyes when we close a new deal, and I’m certain that grin has nothing to do with dog accessories,” Rachel teased, inviting herself into his office.

  She was in her regular cheery mood, ready to pick on her oldest friend as she figured out just what was putting him in such a good mood. Ben watched her closely, afraid of how much he was revealing as she sat across from his desk in the leather loveseat.

  “I saw her again,” Ben started, his grin reappearing at the thought of Katherine.

  “Who? Catelyn?” Rachel struggled to remember the name of the woman who had captivated her boss.

  “Katherine.” Ben corrected her sternly, and she noticed the seriousness in his voice as she raised her hands in the air apologetically.