His eyes snapped to hers. Had his thoughts really shown that clearly?

"If you play it cool, everything will work as we need it to," she said, batting her eyelashes at him.

Ben snorted and forced a smile on his lips. "The positive thinking gambit, then?"

Her grin widened. "Exactly!"

Ben sighed. "Fine."

They did their best to keep their conversation light and smiles on their faces.

Their food finally arrived, and Ben was suitably impressed as he enjoyed his first meal in a day.

As they finished, Steph dropped a leaf onto her lap, and the dressing looked like it would stain her dress. "Shit!" she cursed silently under...