CHAPTER 14 - THE ALMOST KISS
Courtney is now in front of her penthouse while Ben is standing behind her waiting for her to get inside.
“Thanks for dropping me off.” Courtney held her key card.
“Anytime, are you sure okay from here?” Ben looked around.
“Yeah I am.” Courtney assured him.
“Oh before I forget, are you up for tomorrow?” Ben touched the base of his neck.
“Depends on my schedule but why?” Courtney raised one eye brow.
“After my meeting, I will meet my lawyer tomorrow to get the contract and I was thinking if you can come as well?" Ben explained in one go.
“Let me check my time, on second.” Courtney took out her phone.
“Sure.” Ben watched her timidly.
Courtney scrolled her calendar and checked her daily schedules while absentmindedly biting her lip. Ben on the other hand doesn't know what’s got into him but at that moment he was watching Courtney’s lips. His attention suddenly drew to that and wanted to taste those lips with his own. Ben attention was cut off when Courtney shook him a little.
“Ben, are you okay?” Courtney waved her hand in front of him.
“I... uhmm.. yes, sorry… so have you uhmm checked your planner?” Ben recovered after a minute.
“I can’t tomorrow my schedules are tight but I think I can make it the following day since my schedule is packed until twelve noon, will that be okay?” Courtney informed him.
“That’s great! I will call you once my meeting is over and then we can meet up somewhere to sign it.” Ben suggested.
“You don’t have too, I can drive to the location just tell me where.” Courtney declined.
“I insist, besides we need to act as couple in public, remember?” Ben responded.
“Now I know persuasion can be inherited.” Courtney smiled.
“It’s not my fault you got persuaded easily.” Ben stepped closer that their face is only a mere inch away.
"I don’t need to be persuaded, I'm already your pretend girlfriend, remember?" Courtney tried her best to act calm.
They are now having an eye-to-eye contact and no one dares to blink. Ben is tempted to kiss her but he mentally shook his head as it will cross the boundary they have. He can't be attracted or fall in love with her because it is just a deal. Courtney was having a summersault with the closeness that they have and can’t deny that she wants to kiss Ben but refrain from doing so. She doesn’t want to be called as desperate woman who is eager to be kissed. As much as she would like to grab him by his collar she held the phone to her hand real tight.
“I better get in.” Courtney breaks the staring contest.
"Of course." Ben gave her way to open the door.
“Goodnight Ben.” She slides the key.
“Goodnight Court.” Ben grabbed her elbow and kissed her cheek near her lips.
Courtney was caught off guard and Ben turned around and didn’t wait for her reply. He doesn’t want to regret what he did but there's just something about her that made him lose control. As soon as the door opens and Ben was out of sight she made sure the door is closed she started to palpitate. She knew she can’t calm down so she called the only person she can talk to.
“Nic-Nic! Oh my GOD! Oh God!” Courtney keeps on babbling.
“Will you calm your tits down, it’s almost midnight and your lungs are hype.” Nic-Nic checked the time.
“You will not believe what happen today!” Courtney still has the same tone.
“Tell me what happened that makes you scream like a whore.” Nic-Nic playfully said but excited to hear her friend’s story.
“Ben almost kissed me.” Courtney said still screaming.
“I know you’re obsessed with him but damn are you taking drugs?” Nic-Nic didn’t hold back on that comment.
“I am what? Are you nuts? Of course not!’ Courtney stops screaming after that.
“Dreaming?” Nic-Nic guessed with a tone of mockery.
“I am definitely not dreaming Nic-Nic.” Courtney stated confidently.
“You called me almost midnight and claiming that your imaginative boyfriend kissed you is more likely to happen.” Nic-Nic checked the time on the wall.
“Sorry I forgot about that, but believe me I’m telling you Ben almost kissed me.” Courtney wants to convince her friend.
“How in the world will that happen you don’t even know where the guy is?” Nic-Nic sat on the bed.
“We met at your favorite Café and made a marriage deal.” Courtney went along and told her friend everything about the contract.
“Let me get this straight, so agreed to be the deal without even consulting your best friend?” Nic-Nic faked being hurt.
“Stop the act Nic-Nic, I know you’re just faking it besides it’s not like I committed a serious crime that can break our friendship.” Courtney giggles on the other line.
“You definitely an offender to all those women out there, you almost kissed the hottest hunk in Italy.” Her friend gave a comical comment.
“Whatever, I don’t care about them all I know is my problem will be solved.” Courtney dismissed the idea.
“I just hope you know what you’re entering to.” Nic-Nic tone became serious.
“Don’t worry I’ll be fine, but thank you for always having my back.” Courtney assured her friend.
“Of course, we’re besties!” Nic-Nic proclaimed.
“That we are.” Courtney agreed to that.
“I better get my beauty sleep; I have a flight tomorrow to London.” Her friend replied while yawning.
“So you’re not returning home tomorrow?” Courtney recalled the day of her friend’s arrival from Spain.
“Supposedly yes but the photographer had an accident so I have to take over the photoshoot since I’m four hours ahead from the location including my flight time, plus it’s a big project.” Nic-Nic explained.
“Ah okay, how long are you going to be there?” Courtney felt depressed but happy at the same time for her friend’s achievement.
“Only two days then I’ll fly back.” Nic-Nic knew the news will sadden her friend.
“Oh then I’ll just cancel our reservation.” Courtney took her journal and crossed out their date.
It was their friendship anniversary and they made it a tradition to have a dinner reservation to their favorite restaurant since they became friend.
“Sorry, promise to make it up when I returned home.” Nic-Nic started to yawn again.
“I see, just make sure to bring me presents when you get back or you will find another best friend.” Courtney jokes around.
“I will; goodnight Con-Con.” Nic-Nic last responds before falling asleep.
Courtney ended the call and although her heart rate is back to normal like it should be she can’t still can’t fall asleep. She kept tossing on her bed while reminiscing the almost kiss incident.
