Brewed to Perfection

Ben shot me a quick side eye. "What?" I laughed out, unsure what his face was trying to convey.

"Are you joking?" He questioned, his voice low. Why was that such a ridiculous statement? He could do a lot worse. Twyla was really pretty. She was a bit older than me and Ben, by at least ten years but she was an attractive woman. Mitch used to call her a doppelganger for Jennifer Lawrence and it was pretty spot on.

I wish I looked like her. She'd told me a few times in Brewtiful about her on/off again boyfriend but currently they're on an off period. And judging by how often she stared at Ben, and laughed excessively at anything he said - told everyone that she was interested. It was obvious.

Well, obvious to everyone but him. They were probably equally beautiful and wasn't that what beautiful people did? Pair up?

"Are we talking about the same person? Twyla who constantly forces me to watch videos of dogs on her phone and rambles on about her Facebook candle business? I'm looking for love, not a candle."

That made me pull a face. "Love?" I asked, trying to hide my surprise.

"Yes, against all odds I'd rather not end up an old bachelor, bitter about the world and blaming everyone else about why I'm alone."

His words made the smile fall off my face. Why did that sound so serious? Was this actually something he was worried about?

"You know... you're only twenty two so you have ages to find the love of your life. Plus, you already know that you're a really-" the words were stuck in my throat, "Attractive, man-dude-person... so you'll have no problems in that department" i rushed my words of encouragement out hoping he couldn't tell how embarrassing it was to say it out loud.

Ben knew he was ridiculously good looking. It would be impossible to look in the mirror and see anything but perfection looking back when you're Benjamin Lovat.

Unlike the rest of the population who have to rely on personality to attract potential lovers, Ben just needed to give someone half a second of his undivided attention and they would probably turn into a puddle.

Ben was biting the inside of his cheek looking deep in thought. "You think so?" He asked, almost like he needed confirmation.

God knows this should be the other way around. He should be reassuring me that I wasn't the ugly ass troll I believed I was.

I raised my brows back, my expression blank. "Are you fetching for more compliments Boss? you must know how everyone looks at you. Girls literally fell at your feet in highschool - I'm pretty sure I remember Abbie Heberdy passing out one time in Spanish after you asked her for a piece of chewing gum." I had forgotten about that incident until just then. It was ridiculous, but also true.

The only man I ever made fall at my feet was a customer at Brewtiful who slipped on the floor whilst I was mopping a spilled latte.

Ben let out a deep sigh. "I'm going to sound like an ass, but It was never anyone I wanted. Also I have no memory of Abbie doing that." He chuckled out.

I tutted. "Of course you don't. You were probably oblivious since shit like that happened on a daily basis. Not to sound weird and you should definitely savour this as I wont say anything as nice ever again - but any room you walk into, i'd say there's a 99% chance you're the best looking person in there."

Unlike before, Ben didn't respond right away. Which made me feel super uncomfortable. Oh God. Had I stepped over some line again? I winced waiting for his venom to spit out.

"I know I said I wasn't going to do this for a while but Maeve, I'm so fucking sorry. I could give you a thousand excuses but the truth is I was a horrible-awful dick and I regret all of it. Prom was - Fuck I don't even know how to describe how messed up that was. I felt like shit and wanted you to feel like that too. I think it's because I thought you could deal with it." Benjamin spewed the words out like word vomit and I nearly choked on my saliva.

"You thought I could deal with it? Ben, I was probably the only person in that entire school who couldn't."