The next day, Ben called Cully on his way to pick up Tom. She didn't answer so he left a message.
"I'm picking up your dad right now, so just text me later after you get this,"
Tom hopped into the car with gleeful fervor.
"Good morning, Jones!"
Ben pocketed his phone. "Good morning, sir,"
"What a lovely day,"
Ben looked around at the drab, gray sky and then to his usually grumpy Inspector. "If you say so,"
"I do, Jones. I do say so,"
Ben pulled away from the Barnaby home. "What's got you in such a good mood, sir?"
"I'll tell you, Jones. Cully is not getting married," Tom slapped his leg with glee.
"Oh?" He played coy.
"She has decided to finally come to her senses about that boy, and I could not be happier,"
"Is she alright?" Ben asked. This time he was genuinely curious. Sometimes Cully was a closed book. Especially to him.
"She is in good spirits as far as I can tell," Tom sobered somewhat from his gleeful disposition.
"Good," Ben commented.
Cully stepped out of the shower and checked her phone. She had a voicemail from Ben. Knowing he'd been so close when he was picking up her father gave her a very mysterious feeling. She knew she'd always had somewhat of a crush on him, but this was different.
Very different.
Cully texted him.
Do you want to meet later?
Then she dressed for the day. She had an audition early this afternoon. She put her thoughts of Ben Jones aside and focused on running through her lines.
Ben checked his phone once he was finally back at his desk for the afternoon. He read Cully's message and a slow smirk spread across his lips.
Yes. Hopefully I won't be too late tonight. The Light & Ivy okay?
Ben had barely set his phone down when it buzzed with her response.
See you there. Just let me know what time.
Ben glanced at his watch. It was after six now. Hopefully he could finish up this paperwork within the hour.
Let's say 8:00 to be safe.
That should give him time to finish up. He prayed Tom had a quiet evening with no famous Barnaby epiphanies.
For a brief moment the thought crossed his mind of, What am I doing getting involved with Tom's daughter? This is crazy! She just broke off her wedding with Simon.
But the thought left his head just as quick when he told himself, She's her own person. Not just "Tom's daughter". She has made the right choice for herself, and there's nothing wrong with the two of us seeing each other.
His phone buzzed again.
8:00 is perfect.
Ben leaned against his car door. He'd just gotten to the pub. He grabbed at his tie and loosened it until it slid over his head. He tossed it in the car. His fingers undid the very top button of his shirt.
That was better. Now he could breathe.
That was until he caught sight of Cully sauntering towards him. Dark blue jeans hugged her curves, and a white flowy top fluttered around her shoulders and hung off, leaving them bare. Her long blonde hair bouncing around as she came up to him.
He wanted to go to her and pick her up, but he made his feet stay planted. As she got closer he could see the unmistakable huge smile on her face.
"What's got you grinning like what?"
As she finally stood in front of him she said, "I've just been offered a role for a production at the National!"
"What! That's amazing!"
He wrapped his arms around her. Immediately something changed. She reached behind his head and ran her fingers through his hair. Didn't she know what she was doing to him?
Her hands left his head and began to wander down his sides, and then around to his chest. She pulled back and looked into his eyes as she undid another button on his crisp white shirt.
"Cully," he warned.
She smirked and undid another.
If she wanted to play like that, he had no objections. He firmly planted his feet and pulled her against him somewhat roughly. She gasped and it was his turn to smirk. His hands roamed her body now, and rested on her hips. He squeezed them.
Was he crazy, or was she sliding into his embrace?
She gave a little whimper.
"What?" Ben asked teasingly.
"You know what,"
Ben chuckled, but stopped when her hand gripped his belt and pulled him closer. He looked down into her eyes. They hadn't even kissed yet. He needed to fix that.
