Chapter 145: Overthinking Is No-One’s Friend

BENEDICT

The car was quiet for a couple seconds as Benedict waited with a heavy heart for Claire’s reaction, only for the silence to be broken by a snort followed by laughter.

Looking up, he was startled to find his mate with both hands covering her mouth as she fought to hold back the laughter that had her shoulders shaking. Eventually the laughter won out, filling the car with the sound of her mirth as her eyes watered. Benedict watched in confusion before a rueful smile found its way onto his face. If she found his blunder funny he wasn’t about to question it.

“The look… on your face…,” Claire gasped between fits of laughter. “And how you just… just shouted that… Oh my god. I’m NEVER letting you live that down!”

Heart soaring at the prospect of her sticking around long enough to never let him live it down, Benedict couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped. He was thankful she could find the humour in what he’d done instead of being annoyed.

Watching his mate laugh until she had to fan her face to keep the tears at bay made his heart skip a beat. Her smile, the way her eyes squeezed shut, and even the soft snort she did every few seconds; it was all incredibly sexy — to the point he had to look away or risk crossing a line he was pretty sure she wouldn’t want crossed just yet. Hopefully further down the road… but definitely not tonight.

“Sorry,” she finally told him, laughter having finally calmed down. “That was just too funny.”

“It’s fine,” he told her with a sheepish grin.

The drive to the restaurant was accompanied by random, soft laughs from Claire. Hearing her continue to find amusement in his blunder helped settle Benedict’s nerves so that when he finally found a parking spot almost a block from where they would be dining, he’d managed to gain some confidence in how well the night might go.

To her credit, his mate didn’t complain about the walk and, once they arrived, they were promptly seated at their table. Their waiter appeared with the wine list, which was given to Benedict to look over. Glancing up at Claire, he debated what she might prefer. Red? White? Dry? Sweet?

Clearing his throat, he said, “Uhm… is there any you’d prefer?”

Claire’s mouth curved into a smile at his question. “Full body red.”

A wine that fit her preference was served soon after and their food orders taken. Now they had to wait for it to be served, which meant they should talk to pass the time. But… about what?

Benedict watched as his mate made sure the cutlery was nice and straight before looking up to catch him staring. He wanted to look away so she wouldn’t feel… watched? Stared at? But found he couldn’t. Or maybe he didn’t want to; it was hard to know for sure. She was just too beautiful.

Claire quirked an eyebrow as she spoke. “See something you like?”

Caught off guard by how forthright she was being, he answered before thinking. “Definitely.”

To his delight, her smile brightened just a bit. “Thanks.”

Now what was he suppose to say? What should he talk about? Benedict wracked his brain, going over a multitude of options before finally settling on a topic. “Do you… read?” Again, not his best work, but he was trying and that counted for something — or so he hoped.

“Every night,” she nodded. “Or, I guess… morning? I read before going to sleep.”

Benedict perked up at this revelation. “What sort of books do you read?” Contrary to his large, muscle bound exterior, the Beta enjoyed reading. It couldn’t be said he was an avid reader but he read a handful of books every year.

From there the conversation flowed, moving to related topics of interest until their food arrived. It looked incredible, the plating done with an eye for detail. The serving size, however, left a lot to be desired. This wasn’t a surprise for the wolf, as he’d been to these restaurants before — Hendricks enjoyed fine dining and, as Beta, Benedict had accompanied the Alpha many times. All it meant was after the date he planned on stopping for a burger or two — or three — to fill himself up. Until then he would keep the fact he wasn’t full to himself.

By the time they finished eating and he’d paid the bill it was dark outside. As they walked back to his car, the conversation waned before both were quiet.

Again he held the door for Claire before climbing in behind the wheel. As he moved to start the engine, his mate reached over and blocked his hand. Benedict stared for a second before turning to see his mate with a frown on her face. Oh no. What had he done?

“I have a serious question for you,” she began, which didn’t help his pounding heart settle down. It, in fact, made the organ speed up all the more.

“Okay…,” he nodded, swallowing his fears as best he could as he waited for the inevitable — whatever it might be.

“Is that restaurant really the kind you enjoy going to?”

Her question left him confused. What did it mattered if it was a place he enjoyed going to? “I, uh… don’t… understand what you’re asking me.”

Claire let out a small sigh as she pulled back her hand. “Do you enjoy getting all dressed up and going to fancy restaurants?”

This felt like a trick question — like she was placing a trap for him to wander into. What was the right answer? What did she want him to say in response? Was there a right answer?

“I… Isn’t going out to eat a normal thing for a date?”

“Well, yes, but why did you choose that restaurant and not somewhere else?”

“It had good reviews.”

Claire sighed again. “Okay, let me try another angle… Do you think I’m the type of person who enjoys getting dressed up and going to fancy restaurants?”

“…uh…” This was definitely a trap. He could feel it but he also couldn’t avoid the question. “I’m honestly not sure… I figured it was a safe bet?” Had she not liked the restaurant? She’d cleaned her plate and drank the wine; where had he gone wrong?

“Okay. Let me put it another way. If what I’ve been told about being mates is even a little accurate, we should naturally get along, right? Our likes and dislikes are probably compatible in some way. If a fancy restaurant isn’t really your thing, do you think your mate would feel the same or differently?”

Oh. OH. That’s what she meant. Benedict had never thought of it that way. Fancy dining wasn’t really his thing — it was tedious, expensive, and left him feeling hungry. That also meant it probably wasn’t…

He let out a heavy sigh. “So you didn’t like it.” Well, so much for that. “Does that mean the movie…?”

“Do you want to go watch a movie?,” she asked instead of giving an answer.

Benedict opened his mouth before closing it right after.

“What do you want to do, Ben?”

“Ben?” The nickname caught him by surprise.

Claire gave him a nod in response. “Yeah. Would you rather I use your full name? Cause it’s not an issue either way. I just figured…”

“No, it’s fine.” No-one called him Ben. Ever. His parents had been adamant that everyone use his full name — no exceptions. Having his mate — and only his mate — call him something different left Benedict feeling giddy. “Please call me Ben.”

“Great,” she grinned. “So let’s nix the movie and do something else. What are you in the mood for?”

The first thing that came to mind was not appropriate, causing Benedict to throw that idea away without a second thought. “I just want to spend time with you,” he found himself saying. Out loud. He winced at how cringy that sounded.

“Same,” Claire agreed. “So what’s something two people can do for fun at this hour?”