Well, now that I had finally admitted my feelings to myself lunch was torture. Not terribly bad torture because we were married after all so, I could touch him and be near him, but it lacked the emotional connection, the meaning. That was the worst part of all.
Victoria was completely wonderful, you'd never meet a sweeter or more caring soul in the entire universe. She actually listened when you talked, she put in her input where it seemed needed, and she seemed to show genuine emotional response to what you said. Steven had indeed quite a catch, he was very lucky. I wondered if other people were like her, they probably were I just deal with lawyers and Lauren all day that I'd forgotten what it was like to have a person really listen and talk to you. Even Justin had lacked that certain component.
Ben didn't seem to though, come to think of it he did really listen when I talked, well, most of the time anyways.
We were just finishing lunch when Victoria pulled me aside.
"Kate?" Her big, doe eyes blinked up at me.
"Yeah?" I nodded.
"Can I ask you something?" I nodded, again. "Before you and Ben got married..."
Oh, no. Don't ask this! I'm not really married to him! Ugh, alright fine I could give the best advice I could. If I didn't know I'd be vague.
"Did you doubt whether or not it was a good idea?"
Oh, good an easy one, "Yeah, a few times."
"Really?"
"Yeah, but you know what? You shouldn't second guess yourself. When we were at lunch I sat there looking at a man in love. When you talked he was spellbound, by every word that came out of your mouth he looked more and more enchanted. It was wonderful. I've never seen anything like it. You two, well, you're really lucky. You hold on to that, forever."
She smiled her stunning smile at me, even brighter than before, "Wow. You really think so? That's amazing especially because, that look you were talking about that he gave me when I spoke, Ben gives you the same one. It's lovely, you two've got something really special."
What?! No way, no. I was in love with Ben sure, but him with me? No. Not possible.
We both walked back to the guys, and almost left before I remembered I had to get Leo's lunch. I ordered it and we all chatted for a while. Finally, it arrived and we left.
oOoOo
We rode back to the office in relative silence. When we arrived they walked Ben and I up to our offices.
We arrived at the top and all four of us stepped out of the elevator.
Victoria and Steven walked us up to our offices.
I turned and kissed Ben, only this time it was different, that emotional connection, it was there. The kiss lasted longer than it probably should of, but I didn't care.
We separated and Ben looked a little dazed, I winked at him. Then, I walked into my office pulling Leo with me and shutting the door.
"Oh," I peaked my head out, "Sorry, Victoria, Steven, it was wonderful to meet you both." They nodded and smiled, a chorus of you too's were given and I shut the door again.
When I turned back around I was greeted by a very confused looking Leo. I kicked off my shoes, handed him his lunch, and plopped onto the couch as I began regalling the tale of my sudden marriage to Ben.
oOoOo
"Kate!" I spun around to see Ben jogging up to me.
"Hey, hubby," I said cheerfully, this was responded to with a sarcastic smile.
"I just wanted to thank you. Steven and I have a sort-of rivalry since college and I just wanted to impress him."
"Sure, no problem."
"Also," uh, oh. That was not a good also. "While you and Victoria were talking I sorta kinda maybe invited them to stay with us until they leave."
I stopped walking, "Ben. We don't have a place."
"I realize that I just-"
"Sh!" I raised a finger to silence him and took a deep breath, "When do they leave?"
His eyes light up, "Thursday." It was currently Monday. Okay, I could do Thursday.
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but okay."
"Yes! Oh, thank you so much, Katie." He actually picked me up and spun us around. He set me down softly and I was still pressed against his chest. I looked up into his eyes and a charge passed between us. His head tilted a little as if to kiss me and then as quickly as the moment began it ended.
"You won't regret this. I promise," he whispered.
"I'll hold you to that," I replied softly and suddenly he was walking away.
