Chapter Eighty – Return of Smoothies

Olivia, Ben, and Suvi were standing in line at the smoothie shop outside of Central Park. Since it was their spring re-opening there were more people around than usual, and the line was longer than Olivia had ever seen it. It was a beautiful early spring day, and this was the first time she and Ben had gone on a date that took advantage of the improved weather. Last week they'd gone to see a basketball game. It had been a long time since Olivia had been to a full stadium game complete with row upon row of seats, overpriced food, and screaming fans, and she'd enjoyed it. As fun as that had been though, she was already enjoying this date more. Being out in the sunshine, even faint sunshine like they had, was fantastic. She tipped her head back and let the sun soak into her skin.

"Hey. Little Miss Sunshine," Ben called out, startling Olivia out of her sun soaked daydream. "Pay attention."

Olivia's eyes flickered open and she looked at Ben, realizing there was a gap between them from when the line had moved forward and she hadn't noticed. She grinned a bit sheepishly and stepped forward.

"Sorry."

"You don't have to be sorry," Ben laughed. "There's nothing wrong with enjoying a nice day after a long winter."

"It really is nice to see the sun again."

"Only it's not all that warm even with the sun out. You're sure you're not cold?"

Olivia had opted to go out with only a sweater instead of a light coat. Personally Ben thought the coat was a little more appropriate. When the wind picked up it was a bit chilly.

"I'm fine."

Ben eyed her closely and tried to decide if she was telling the truth. While she didn't look remotely bothered by the chill breeze, he had to shove his hands into his pockets from time to time to keep his fingers from feeling frozen.

"Ben, really, I'm fine," she insisted.

"Even when the wind blows?"

"Yup," she said with a smirk. "I guess you're just a wimp."

He laughed softly and reached out to wrap an arm around her waist before pulling her up against his body.

"You're just going to have to keep me warm," he teased.

"And apparently drink your smoothie for you. I wouldn't want you to end up even colder."

"Ha! Nice try, but that's not going to happen."

"You can't be that cold then."

Ben leaned in close so he could whisper into her ear without anyone else in line hearing him. Flirting with her out in public was much more fun when he didn't have to worry about her being embarrassed because of where they were. Doing it this way would work perfectly.

"Maybe I just wanted an excuse to have you against me."

Olivia's face blushed red, but she didn't pull away from him. Ben grinned madly. She was absolutely adorable when she was blushing. Her eyes would always flicker down so her eyelashes would just brush the warmth of her cheeks.

"You don't have to have an excuse you know."

"That is good to know."

She smiled and shook her head against his shoulder. Ben gave her waist a quick squeeze and stepped forward to the front of the line. They ordered and headed toward the table they'd sat at on their first date. Olivia immediately popped her straw into her mouth and sucked down a few sips. It had been a long time since she'd had one of these smoothies, and it was just as good as she remembered. Worth the line any time even if it hadn't been a place that had good memories. On the way to their table Ben leaned over very subtly and tried to steal a sip of her smoothie. He managed to get his mouth on her straw, but she pinched the bottom of it so he wouldn't be able to get anything.

"Nice try," she said with a smirk.

"It was worth a shot."

They sat down, Ben right next to Olivia so he could stay in contact with her. Suvi found himself a spot in the sun, soaking it up in almost the same way Olivia had been in line. Olivia grinned at Suvi which opened the door for Ben to make another attempt on her smoothie. She merely shifted it out of the way and knocked her foot against his leg. Ben's eyes widened innocently, but Olivia didn't buy it for a second.

"Are you done now?" she asked.

"I didn't do anything."

"Sure you didn't."

He beamed at her. Olivia smiled back and took another sip of smoothie. When Ben went to reach for his it wasn't there. Somehow Olivia had managed to swipe it without him noticing and was busy drinking it. She took one last sip and set it back down in front of him, her eyes glittering.

"How did you…?"

"I'm just good like that."

"I guess I'll have to drink fast then before you swipe it again."

"Just remember that I can't help with brain freezes."

Ben chuckled softly and took her hand so he could stroke his thumb across her knuckles. They happily enjoyed their smoothies and the sunshine in silence for a little while.

"Dad's birthday is next weekend," Ben told Olivia. "Mom pretty much expects me to be there, but it's up to you if you want to come."

"All of your siblings are going to be there too?"

"Unless they want to risk facing mom's wrath, yeah."

She nodded and thought about it for a moment. If she went it would be for Ben and his father, not his mother. All of Ben's siblings would be there too, so she would have back up and support if she needed it.

"Okay. I'll come."

Ben grinned at her and leaned in for a short kiss. She tasted like blueberries with a hint of strawberry mixed in. Once again he ran his fingers over her hand, loving the soft feeling of her skin. Olivia was rather enjoying his touch as well.

"You know," Ben began again as he kept stroking her hand. "It's not officially our anniversary, but being here makes it feel that way. We could always pretend. I'm kind of enjoying this."

Olivia knew that by "this" he meant his hand on hers. It was only a little bit of a skin to skin contact, and Olivia would be very happy to add a little bit more. Or maybe even a lot more. She slipped her fingers between Ben's and lifted his hand to kiss his fingers. He was more than happy to let her do that.

"I wouldn't mind treating today as our anniversary. It's really nice out though, and I would like to spend some time in the sunshine."

Ben rested his elbow on the table and dropped his chin into his hand, watching her with a bright smile.

"My apartment has a nice balcony."

"Tempting," Olivia replied with a grin of her own.

"I also have another nice thing that might be good to stop at before we relax on the balcony."

Olivia leaned in, her eyes dancing.

"You do, huh? Might that nice thing be in the bedroom?"

"I do believe it is," Ben whispered back.

Olivia laughed. She'd thought that was what he was talking about and she definitely wouldn't mind taking a pit stop on his bed before they made their way onto the balcony. His hands against her skin would feel a lot better than the sun would. As an added bonus, once they curled up on the balcony together afterward she would get to revel in both his and the sun's touch. Nothing sounded better.

"I think I like this idea."

"Good, so do I. Now finish your smoothie, Miss Sunshine. We have plans for the rest of the day."

Olivia's smile widened, and she couldn't help letting a little sultry heat enter her voice.

"I think I can manage that. Just don't let the smoothie cool you down too much."

"You have nothing to worry about."