They looked at each other, probably for too long to the occasional passerby. Ben cocked his head to one side, causing a smirk from Ciara.

"It's all yours." She said with a full smile, which he returned.

Her heart swelled in her chest, and as he sat she felt relieved. Had it really only been a few days since she'd seen him? It felt longer. She tried to catch her bearings. She hadn't realized accepting her feelings would make her so off balance.

"So, uh... How is the... job search? Going?" She asked, somewhat breathless.

"Get it together, Ciara," she thought to herself.

His face fell slightly. "Could be better. But I'm still determined. I've given up on restaurants. I'm trying for a more manual labor, work with my hands type of a thing. It's just hard to find that, being that-"

"There's snow on the ground?" She asked with her eyebrows raised.

He returned her smirk. "Yeah. I don't know... I'm trying to stay as optimistic as I can."

"Ben, I know it probably feels impossible but please, don't give up."

She leaned forward toward him as she said it, automatically he shifted in his seat toward her. It was magnetic, the way she felt drawn to him.

"You deserve a chance to make a fresh start as much as anyone. I'll tell anyone and everyone I need to in this town until it sticks."

"That might take a while," he said grimly, one hand rubbing his forehead. She reached over the table and placed her hand over his other wrist.

"I've got time. And you're worth it." She said, gripping his forearm. He smiled slightly, as their hands rested on top of one another on the table. As always, the room seemed to quiet as they sat, others disappearing around them. It was the arrival of the server greeting them that broke the spell. She lifted her arm carefully, his fingers flexing slightly as she did.

"Can I get you anything?"

"I'm fine, but a black coffee for him, please." She said. Ben looked at her in astonishment, as the server nodded once and walked away.

"How do you know I take my coffee black?" Ben asked, dumbfounded.

"You always do." Ciara said quietly, cheeks flushing slightly.

"So you're paying attention... I'll have to remember that." He said playfully, biting his lip ever so slightly. Ciara sheepishly grinned in return, glancing back to find Ben's gaze had quickly turned electric. She cleared her throat to get back on track, the return of the server helped as well.

"Seriously Ciara, you don't know what your support means to me. I know I've told you before but I'll tell you again as many times as I have to - gratitude doesn't even begin to cover it. You make me believe an actual life is possible." Ben said, his arm reaching toward her wrist. But just before he reached her she pulled both arms back.

"Ben," Ciara started, suddenly unable to look at him.

He pulled his hand back straightaway, embarrassment flooding his features. "You were clear the other day about you and Tripp... I'm not trying to mess that up. I'm sorry. And about telling you I had feelings for you... I really didn't have a right to do that, it wasn't fair to you." His tone was placating. She shook her head, stopping him before he could apologize for anything else.

"No, Ben, you don't have to say that. The fact that you were honest with me, even when you knew it could cost you just proves you're exactly the guy I've been telling everyone you are." She said, warmly. "Feelings are hard enough. Trying to keep them a secret, or pretending they aren't there just doesn't work. It always spills out, no matter what we do." She said honestly. Ben nodded, and again as they looked each other the room seemed to fade away.

But still, he had sat up straighter, leaning back to a more formal position. It was clear he was trying to establish distance between them. Ironic, Ciara thought, as she had never wanted to eliminate those boundaries more than she did right then. But she shook her head, taking a deep breath.

"Ben, I actually have to go." She said, standing from the table as fast as she could. She had to go talk to Tripp, before she lost any more nerve. She was terrified, but she had to be honest with him. Ben looked around quickly.

"Ciara, you don't have to leave because of me. I can go if you're uncomfortable."

"No, no! It's not that. I promise. I," she scrambled. "I promised Claire that I would pick her up from work. She's done the dishes the last few times so I figured I owed her one." The words came out in a jumble, but were convincing enough. It wasn't even a complete lie... it just wasn't true tonight. He nodded once, seeming to buy it.

"There you go again, being better to people than they deserve." He smiled, eyes warm. Ciara's heart thudded against her chest as he looked at her in the way he always seemed to: like she was all he cared about in the world.

"Yeah, right. Just trying to play nice with her. It's weird, lately she's been overall not as terrible to me. Go figure." Ciara shrugged. Something seemed to flash in Ben's eyes as she said it, and he took a sip of his coffee, though she couldn't place what or why.

"Well anyway I've gotta be heading out." Ciara said, getting out before any more damage could be done. "I'll see you soon?" She asked. He smirked.

"I hope sooner rather than later." Ben replied with a smile. That smile... suddenly her knees felt a little wobbly. She managed a quick smirk back at him and left the table, knowing if she looked back she'd be totally screwed. Ciara pushed through the club doors different than she'd entered - she knew that being honest with Tripp was the right thing to do. She had no clue what came next, but knew two things: the connection she had with Ben was only growing stronger. And though she did love Tripp, after her conversation with him, nothing would be the same.

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