“I thought you said dinner,” I said, stepping onto the rooftop.Ben smiled, sheepish but determined. “Dinner. With ambiance.”Fairy lights twinkled above. An acoustic guitarist strummed softly near the terrace railing. A server handed me a mocktail with a sprig of rosemary.I blinked. “Is this… a pitch?”“Not for a project,” he said, pulling out a chair. “For something better.”I sat, uneasy.Between courses—organic, seasonal, perfectly plated—Ben leaned in, eyes too soft, voice too smooth. “You’re the most brilliant woman I’ve ever met. Every day I think about you. Your ideas, your stubborn logic, the way you challenge people to be better.”My fork stalled mid-air.“And if I’m being honest…” he reached across the table, brushing a curl behind my ear, “I want to be part of your future. Not just on blueprints.”Panic bloomed.I stood. “Restroom.”Inside the stall, I texted Claire.**Me:** “He’s sweet. But something’s off.”**Claire:** “Safe can be nice. Safe is steady.”I
Last Updated : 2025-11-05 Read more