Page 39 of Operation Sunshine
Ben blinked. “You know what I mean.”
He smirked. “Do I?”
This is getting us nowhere.
Ben bit back a sigh, staring into the flames. “You’ve got this whole routine. The eye contact. The leaning in. The smirking. The ‘accidental’ touches. Honestly, I’m amazed you haven’t burst into a spontaneous tango yet.”
Franco chuckled. “That’s on next week’s schedule.”
Ben glanced at him again. “So?”
There was a beat, and then Franco shifted, sitting forward slightly, the humour fading from his features but not entirely gone. “You annoyed?”
Ben hesitated. “No.”
“Flattered?”
A longer hesitation this time. “Also no.” Franco arched a brow, and Ben exhaled, rubbing a hand across the back of his neck. “Okay.Maybe.A bit.”
Franco smiled. “Ben.”
“It’s…” He frowned. “I’m trying to do a job here. And every time I turn around, someone’s giving me side-eyes like we’re already a thing. As if they know something I don’t.”
Franco didn’t answer immediately, his gaze flicking to the fire, apparently deep in thought. Finally, he pushed out a long sigh.
“I don’t flirt because they expect me to,” he said at last. “And I don’t flirt with everyone.”
Ben gave him a sceptical look.
“I’mcharmingwith everyone,” Franco corrected. “There’s a difference.”
Ben snorted.
Franco looked at him again, more serious now. “But with you? Yeah, I’ve been pushing a bit.” Ben stared at him, and he chuckled. “Okay, maybe a lot, but not because it’s a game or a joke.”
“Then why?” Ben asked.
Franco’s gaze met his. “Because I like you. Although I wasn’t sure what you’d do with that.”
Ben frowned once more. “You assumed I’d either kiss you or file an HR complaint?”
“Honestly?” Franco let out another sigh. “I was hoping for a combination of the two.”
Ben looked away again, shaking his head but smiling despite himself. “You are so bloody annoying.”
Franco didn’t disagree.
The fire crackled between them. Somewhere in the next room, someone laughed, probably at something deeply inappropriate.
Ben leaned back, letting the silence settle. “I don’t know what this is, but I don’t hate it.”
Franco tilted his head. “That’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me in that tone.”
Ben gave him a sidelong glance. “Just ease up a little? I’m not saying stop, but how about less ‘public spectacle,’ more… ‘subtle intrigue.’”
Franco grinned. “Subtle intrigue. Got it. Like Victorian yearning with a twist of modern smoulder.”
Ben gave him a dry look. “And now I’m starting to regret opening my mouth.”
