Page 24 of Operation Sunshine
Franco grinned. “God, you’re fun when you let yourself be.”
Ben dropped his gaze to his desk. He looked tired. Except it was more than that. He looked worn, as if the effort to steer a new ship without mutiny was fraying him at the edges.
“How’s it really going?” Franco asked, his voice more hushed.
Ben looked up, then leaned back with a heavy sigh. “Some of the changes are working. The bottleneck at the dish station’s starting to clear, and I’ve seen less food wastage since I introduced the new portion guidelines. But it’s slow. And I can feel everyone is still a bit resistant.”
Franco raised an eyebrow. “You surprised about that last bit?”
“No. Impatient, maybe. I know it takes time. I just—I want to do this right, without being the villain.”
Franco walked over and perched on the edge of the desk. “You’re not the villain, mate. You’re the guy trying to turn a leaky boat into something that floats. It’s uncomfortable, sure, but nobody hates you.”
Ben gave a wan smile. “Willow suggested I ‘loosen my aura.’” He huffed. “I’m not even sure what that means.”
“It probably means stop looking as if you’re about to file a complaint with the universe.” He stilled when a low laugh rolled out of Ben. Franco smiled. “Andthereit is.”
The chink in Ben’s armour.
Ben glanced at him, something unreadable in his expression. “Why are you really here, Franco?”
“Is this some metaphysical question, or do you want to know how I ended up at this place?”
He chuckled. “Neither of those. I wondered what you were doing in my office.”
Franco tilted his head. “Would you believe I enjoy your company?”
There was a pause, then Ben smiled. “Actually... yeah, I would.”
The silence stretched, charged and a little dangerous.
Franco nudged him with his knee. “C’mon. You’ve earned ten minutes of daylight. Step outside with me before you calcify.”
Ben hesitated, then nodded. “All right. Ten minutes.”
They ended up leaning against the rear wall, beneath the meagre protection of a dripping awning, watching rain drops bounce off the patio tables.
“I bet it’s great out here in the summer,” Ben murmured.
Franco pointed to the gazebo that stretched out over the rear garden. “This is covered with millions of tiny white lights. And Raj’s hubby Arun makes hanging baskets filled with the most gorgeous flowers. There’s a sound system too.” He glanced at Ben, his lips twitching when he noticed Ben pat his pocket as though searching for his ever-present notepad. Franco snickered. “You ever actually stop moving, or is that illegal where you’re from?”
Ben chuckled. “Only if someone schedules it.”
They stood there for a moment, shoulder to shoulder, the cold air between them warming slightly.
“Do you really think this place can work?” Ben asked after a beat. “Long-term?”
Franco thought about it: the cracked tiles, the temperamental oven, the staff who were more like a dysfunctional band than employees.
“I think it already does,” he said finally. “It just doesn’t look the wayyou’reused to.”
Ben nodded. “Then maybe I need to change how I look at it.”
Franco glanced sideways, smirking. “Now that’s a seduction technique.”
Ben shot him a dry look. “Am I being seduced?”
Franco’s grin deepened. “Was that an invitation? I mean, do youwantto be seduced?”
