The Hearts Behind the Silver Screen

16

I walked across the parking lot. Just as I got to my car, I heard.

“New girl.” Only one particular jerk it could be.

“Bennett.” I said while rolling my eyes behind my sunglasses.

“Not bad for a first timer. I'm sure you will get better.”

I took a giant deep breath so I wouldn't say something rude back.

“Did you need something from me?” I asked.

He walked towards me, standing only inches away from me.

“Do I need anything? No. That's the best thing about being me. I don't rely on needing things from others. When I do, it's never hard to get.”

His face was inches from mine, talking quietly into my ear. He had his hand on my lower back, pulling me in.

“Good for you.” I replied looking him dead in the eyes. His eyes were soulless.

He let out a slight laugh.

“It is good.” He responded, still inches away from my face.

“What's up over here?”  Thank God. Jonah to the rescue.

Bennett looked over at him and smirked.

“Byers. Bad timing.” He said

“I guess it depends on who you ask.” Jonah replied.

I stood there, waiting for Bennett to lift his hand off my back.

“How's it going, Liv?” Jonah asked.

“Just swell, thanks.”

“Ready to get out of here?” He suggested.

I glanced at him, superconfused. I could feel Bennett's eyes glaring on me. Jonah widened his eyes and nodded a little.

“Yeah, let me just put this stuff in my car.” I said.

“Take your time.”

Bennett backed off me.

“Ohhh. I see. Your territory, Byers?”

“I prefer not to think of women as 'territory'.”

“Ha. Well then, enjoy her.”

Bennett walked away to his car.

I took a sigh of relief and leaned back on my car.

“Are you ok?” Jonah asked.

“Yeah, I'm good. Thanks for that.”

“Anytime.”

“Guess I'll see you later.”

“How about dinner?” He asked.

“Really?”

“Yeah. Unless you don't want to.”

“No... I'd love to.”

“Yeah? Good. Shall we?”

“Sure. Where are we going?”

“I have a place in mind.”

“Always full of surprises.”

He smiled.

“What? Don't trust me?”

“Last time turned out pretty well. So, I'm inclined to trust you.”

“Good.”

He opened the car door for me. I slid into the passenger seat.

He drove us to a vineyard just out of town. The sun was setting over the fields. The air was so fresh, nothing like the city. He opened my door and helped me out of the car.