The next week was touch and go, one minute Bennet was moody and taciturn and the next he was pinning her against a wall and kissing her passionately. She wasn’t sure what the underlying issue was but she couldn’t help but feel it had to do with her. It almost seemed like it pained him to desire her…that his regret built with every kiss.

Sitting at her desk on Friday she reached out to Jazmine to see if she was down for some dinner and drinks. ‘Yes please!’ Ethan has rounds tonight so it was just going to be me and some Ben & Jerry’s on the couch tonight.’

Maddie smiled at her phone, ‘LOL well we can’t have that. Meet me at that Tapas place we saw last month at 6:30. I’ll make a reservation’

As the day was ending Maddie figured she should tell Bennet she would be out late and that she didn’t need a ride home. The door opened to the top floor, Janice had already left for the day so Bennet’s door was already open. She knocked softly as she peered inside. Bennet was sitting back in his chair lost in thought, staring off into the distance of the city.

“Hi, Bennet?” He snapped to attention and a big smile spread across his face.

“You ready to leave?” He said as he jumped up and began gathering his things.

“Actually I was just stopping by to tell you that I’m meeting Jazmine for dinner so I don’t need a ride tonight.” She could see his smile faded a bit.

“Oh ok well I hope you ladies have a lovely evening. I should get going myself too, I’ll walk you out.”

Once outside Bennet offered to give her a ride to the restaurant, “That’s ok I’ve called an Uber, it’s just a quick 10 minute ride.”

“Will you need a ride home? I can come get you just tell me where you’ll be. Doesn’t matter how late it is.” She felt bad turning him down but didn’t want to be a burden.

“Honestly don’t worry about it, I’m’ sure if it’s too late I’ll just stay at Jazmine’s.” He nodded and reached his arm out to pull her closer, she was shocked at the overt display especially in front of the office and put her hands against his chest.

“I thought we were keeping things a secret!” She said in a hushed tone as if anyone could hear her. His face said it all.

“A secret?” She wasn’t sure why he seemed surprised.

“Yeah we talked about it.”

“We talked about keeping our relationship separate from work. I said that I would respect your boundaries. I never agreed to keep it a SECRET!”

Maddie was confused and Bennet was clearly irate. “Relationship? I—I thought it was just a physical thing, I’m sorry.” His face went from anger to looking like he’d just been sucker punched. “How was I supposed to know this was a relationship? You’re a billionaire who dates models and you’re 12 years older than me! I thought it was just a fling or something you needed to get out of your system because you’re rich and powerful and nobody says no to you!”

“No do not put this on me those are YOUR prejudices. I told you I wanted to get to know you more and be intimate with you, how much clearer could I be? Is that why you went along with things? Because you were afraid to say ‘no’ to me? Because it was what you thought I wanted?”

Maddie’s eyes began to fill with tears, “Wait, Bennet no, that’s not what I meant! I wanted it too!” She tried to reach out and grab his arm but he brushed her off.

“Clearly you don’t know what you want, have a good night Maddie.” He mumbled as he ducked into his car and rode off.

Maddie stood on the sidewalk with tears streaming down her face. How could she have been so stupid and callous? He had looked broken and defeated like she had betrayed him. Just then her Uber pulled up. “Guess it’s good I’m going for drinks.” She said between sniffles.

Jazmine’s mouth was hanging open as Maddie spilled her guts about the last few months. “Jaz I had no idea that he wanted a relationship with me! He could have anyone why would he choose me? He is way out of my league and I was scared to get my feelings involved! I feel like such a piece of shit.” She put her head in her hands on the bar top.

“Okay…first of all we will come back to the part where you hid this from your best friend. Don’t think I’m letting that slide! However, the bigger issue at hand here is YOU are making this about YOU. He’s right you completely judged him and had these preconceived notions in your head about what you thought he wanted from you. That’s not fair to do to someone, neither is projecting your insecurities on them.” Maddie slowly lifted her head as Jazmine took a sip of her drink.

“Thanks Jaz for pointing out the obvious here. Not helping! I just…I didn’t see it coming. I didn’t see HIM coming! I feel like an asshole and an idiot at the same time.” She laughed a little as she told Jazmine some of the silly things he does, how he runs his hands through his hair when he’s stressed or frustrated or thinking. The way he talks through making dinner like he’s on a cooking show.

“Oh my god you love him.” Jazmine smiled as she made the statement.

“Love? Please! No, it’s infatuation and he is a good friend so of course I care about him.” Maddie made exaggerated facial expressions and hand gestures as she combated Jazmine’s observation. “Ok now that you know all the details of my crazy life can we just enjoy some drinks and maybe pretend that none of this happened?” Maddie raised her glass as if she were making a toast.

“Ok but you’re not going to just avoid this. You once again need to apologize and talk to him, agreed?” She held back her glass, refusing to cheers until Maddie finally rolled her eyes and agreed.