Confessions
Tripp was sitting on the couch. Claire walked out and sat next to him.
" Where did Ciara and Ben go?"
" I don't know, but Ciara took my laptop with her."
" Do you think they went to the police?"
" I don't know."
" Well, you better pray they didn't."
" Why would you try and frame him?"
" He is coming between me and Ciara."
" Are you really that desperate to keep Ciara? If she has feelings for Ben, she would wind up dumping you in the end."
" She just broke up with me."
" Because of Ben?"
" Because I lied to her."
Ciara was walking through the park when she saw Ben sitting on the bench.
" Hey, are you okay?"
" Yeah, just thinking."
" I brought Tripp's laptop in case you want to turn him in."
" I don't need that."
" Why not?"
"He's your boyfriend. I'm not going to do that to you."
" He's not my boyfriend anymore, we broke up."
" Oh, are you okay?"
" Yeah, I'm fine."
" Ciara, can I tell you something I've been holding in for a while?"
" Sure."
" I told you I would always be honest with you."
" Yeah."
" I'm just going to say it. Ciara, I have feelings for you that go beyond friendship."
" When I'm around you, I can be myself; I want to be a better man. I could have hit Tripp, but I didn't because I looked at you. And I knew I was not that person anymore."
Ben looked at Ciara when he was finished and saw the smile on her face.
" How long have you felt this way? Why didn't you say something sooner?"
" A while. I just never said anything because you were with Tripp."
" I have feelings for you too. I've been pushing them down because I was with Tripp."
" Ben, when we are together, I can be myself. We laugh, and we have fun. You understand me in a way no one else does."
They looked at each other for a minute before Ben leaned in. He hesitated for a minute in case Ciara changed her mind. When she didn't pull away, Ben gently kissed her lips.
Back at the loft, Tripp and Claire were sitting at the counter. Tripp kept looking at the door.
" Tripp, if they went to the police, they would be here by now."
" I guess you're right."
" I know a way I can take your mind off it."
" How?"
" Claire leaned over and kissed Tripp."
Tripp pulled away and said, " What are you doing?"
" Distracting you."
Claire leaned in again, and this time. Tripp didn't stop her.
They continued kissing until Tripp pulled away and said, let's go to my room. Claire smiled and said? " Mine's closer and pulled Tripp into her bedroom.
Back at the park, Caira and Ben continued kissing until Ben pulled away and said, " Is this too soon?"
Ciara looked into his eyes, shook her head, and said, " No," Then pulled Ben in for another kiss.
" We should go home. It's getting late."
Ben stood up and held his hand out to Ciara; she took it and stood up.
Ben took his jacket off and gave it to Ciara. They held hands and walked back to the loft together.
They kissed each other before walking into the loft; when they walked in, they saw Tripp coming out of Claire's room shirtless and his hair a mess.
Ciara placed Tripp's laptop on the counter.
" You're lucky Ben decided not to go to the police. Is there something you would like to say to him?"
" Like what?"
" Sorry, I framed you. Thanks for not turning me in."
" I have nothing to say to him."
Ben placed his hand on Ciara's back and said, "Ciara, it's fine. He doesn't have to say anything."
Tripp grabbed two bottles of water and went back to Claire's room.
Ben walked Ciara to her bedroom, kissed her, and said, "Goodnight."
" Night," Ciara kissed Ben's cheek and watched him return to the living room.
Ben sat on the couch with a big smile on his face.
Ben slept great for the first time in a long time.
In the morning, Ben was the first one awake. He went for a run, took a shower, then made breakfast. Ben made pancakes, bacon, and a fruit salad.
Ciara woke up to the smell of breakfast cooking. She walked into the kitchen and saw Ben flipping pancakes.
" Good morning," Ben said as he handed her a cup of coffee.
" Good morning, thanks," Ciara said as she took a sip.
" Breakfast is almost ready."
" I'll set the table."
Claire walked out and said, " Something smells great."
" Grab a seat. Breakfast is ready."
Ciara and Claire sat down and started putting pancakes on their plates.
Ben grabbed the fruit salad and joined the girls.
Ben put some on Ciara's plate.
Thank you," Ciara said and kissed him.
Claire smiled as she watched them.
" Are you guys together now?"
" We are figuring it out."
" What about you and Tripp?"
" Same, we are figuring it out."
" Is he joining us for breakfast?"
" He's still sleeping."
" It was nice of you not to go to the police."
" I'm being the bigger man."
Claire thanked Ben for breakfast and went back to her room.
Ciara helped Ben clean up and put the leftovers away.
" What are you up to today?"
" I have class; that paper I was working on is due today."
" Text me when class is over. Maybe we can have coffee together."
" That would be great."
Ciara got ready for class and left the loft.
While Ciara was in class, Ben went to see if he could find a job somewhere.
Ciara met Ben after class and had coffee.
" I have some good news."
" What's your news?"
" I got a job and a place to live."
"You're moving out?"
" Staying with you was only temporary until I found another place."
" That's true."
" I think it would be best. You guys have your loft back. Tripp doesn't have to see me. Plus, I'll have my own space."
" Are you okay?"
" Yeah."
" You're going to miss my cooking."
" I'm going to miss you."
" Hey, just because I'm moving out doesn't mean I want to stop seeing you."
" Okay."
" The only way I'll stop seeing you is if you tell me too."
" I actually have some news as well."
" What's your news."
" I'll be working at the Brady Pub. My Uncle Roman hired me."
" That's great."
" So I was thinking, how would you feel about having dinner with me tomorrow night?"
" Ben Weston, are you asking me on a date?"
" Yes, I am."
" I would love to."
" I'll pick you up at 8."
" Can you meet me at the pub?"
" Sure."
They went back to the loft so Ben could pack his things.
Ben finished packing the last of his things. He thanked Ciara and Claire for letting him stay there.
Tripp didn't say anything to Ben the whole time.
Ciara walked Ben to the door.
" I will see you tomorrow."
" Yes, you will."
Ben leaned down, kissed Ciara, and said goodbye.
" Bye."
Ciara shut the door and leaned against it.
She couldn't wait for her first date with Ben tomorrow.
