The familiar sound of the click, rustle, and thud of the door opening and closing alerted Nicole to Benedict's arrival at the house. Her gentle steps brought her into the kitchen where she finished preparing dinner for that evening. “Helloooooo Mr. Just Ben!” » she greeted him. "Good morning." he smiled widely. “How was your first day?” He sat on one of the chairs at the table, leaning back and kicking his feet in front of him. "It was good. No major problems. Everyone got along well." "That's good. Did you actually shoot or just rehearse?" “Well, how about dinner?” Nicole grabbed the cutlery she had pulled out earlier and placed it in front of him as she returned to the kitchen. He looked at the plate, then at her, "Have you eaten yet?" " " No not yet. I'll eat later. she smiles. “Are you going to make me ask you to join me every night?” Nicole smiles and laughs to herself. “Yes, probably.” "For what?" “Maybe a girl wants to feel wanted.” » She fluttered her eyelashes jokingly. “You’re ridiculous. » "You're not the first person to point this out." " " Alright. Would you like to join me for dinner? " " Of course. “Actually, why not make it a standard deal?” “We’ll see.” ****After Dinner*** “It was great, thank you,” Benedict said. “You're welcome.” Benedict picked up his glass and leaned back in his chair, taking a sip. “So,” he said. “So.” “Single to an embarrassing degree,” he smiled. Nicole groaned. leaning forward, resting her head in it, "Well, it's got to be... in the middle of a paper..." "I know," she finally came out, "I-it's okay." head a little too frantically. She expected him to let go of her hand. When he didn't, panic began to set in. She couldn't just stand there like that, holding his hand, looking at him. in the middle of her kitchen, with a sturdy, freshly cleared kitchen table right there, she couldn't do that. It took all her will and all her strength, but she summoned a few ounces of goodness. sense and came out of her. She squeezed his hand lightly and let go, but not before seeing a flash of recognition of his influence on her. She hurried through the kitchen and into the formal dining room where she had. left the cupcakes she had made. earlier today, thanks to the deity who told her to put them in the other room so she could collapse on that table and catch her breath..