"Are you 100% sure you're ok with this?" Rey asks as she finishes packing her bags for her work conference.
"As I've told you before, Rey, I'm happy to watch them," Ben replies.
He stands in the doorway leaning against the frame as he watches her pack. His head rests against the frame as well as he takes her in. Rey is his best friend and he's been in love with her since the day he met her. Ben has never shared his feelings for her for fear of ruining their friendship. But he does everything he can to make sure she's supported and loved. He would do anything for her, including house sit her plants for a week.
Rey finishes packing and zips up her suitcase. She hoists it off her bed and places it on the floor before pulling on the handle. Her eyes flick up towards Ben and she smiles kindly. Ben feels his heart race in his chest as he smiles back at her. He walks with her down the hall towards the front door.
"If you have any questions at all, please text or call me," Rey says as she opens the door.
"Will do," Ben replies, holding the door open for her.
A beat of quiet passes between them before Rey turns to look up at Ben again. She opens her mouth as if she's about to say something then closes it. Instead she reaches out and gives him a hug. He returns the hug and gives her a squeeze before it's over too soon.
"Thank you Ben, really. You are amazing and so helpful," Rey says at last.
"Anything for you, anytime," Ben shares with a wink.
He doesn't miss her blush as she smiles down at her feet. Another beat of silence passes and Ben leans forward a bit. Ben would want nothing more than to share everything his heart sings about her before kissing her. They smile at each other once more as the honk of Rey's taxi sounds behind them.
"Have a safe flight, Rey," he says.
"Thank you, Ben," she replies.
Rey reaches forward and gives his hand a squeeze before heading towards the taxi. Ben flexes his hand in amazement as he tries to remember how her hand felt in his for the briefest moment. She waves at him as the taxi drives off and he waves back, his heart pounding loudly in his ears.
Later in the evening, Ben waters Rey's plants around her house before prepping his dinner. A ding from his phone distracts him for a moment. He picks up his phone as smiles as he sees a picture of Rey she's sent him. She's in her hotel room safely and is giving him a thumbs up with a wide grin. Her text says, "Made it safely!"
Ben grins and is about to text back a reply when an idea suddenly comes to mind. He rushes over to one of her many plants and takes a picture of himself with it. Blushing as the camera snaps, Ben hopes this isn't too goofy for Rey. Taking a breath, he sends the picture off to her and returns to making dinner for himself.
Another ding from his phone comes soon after and Ben finds himself rushing over to it. He picks up his phone and sees Rey hearted the picture. Ben blushes and sees the familiar three dots pop up. His heart thumps beneath his chest as he waits for her reply. Her text comes through saying, "Too cute!" She adds a blushing smile emoji. Ben hearts her response and trembles giddily.
Rey texts a "Goodnight Ben," message to him as she explains it's been a long travel day. Ben wishes her goodnight and goes back to making his dinner. A smile stays on his face for the rest of the night as he looks at all of Rey's plants. Ideas flicker in his mind as he digs into his food and he gets to work.